A cross-sectional survey of German PA employment and workforce entry.

Autor:	Heistermann P; Peter Heistermann is a professor at Fliedner University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, Germany, and president of the German University Association Physician Assistant based in Cologne. Hans-Joachim Günther is the retired dean of studies and lecturer for the PA program at Carl Remigius Medical School in Munich. Claudia Heilmann is a lecturer in the PA program at the University of Cooperative Education in Plauen, Germany. Tanja Meyer-Treschan is a professor in the PA program at the European University of Applied Sciences Rhein/Erft in Cologne. Stefan Sesselmann is a professor of interprofessional healthcare at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden, University of Applied Sciences in Amberg-Weiden, Germany. Andre Schneke is a quality manager at the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer in Emden, Germany. Lorenz Mihatsch is a graduate student in data science at Dortmund Technical University and a research associate at the Institute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology at Munich Ludwig Maximilian University. Tamika Lang is a doctor of medical science student at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Ariz. Walter Mihatsch is a professor at Ulm University, Department of Pediatrics, Ulm, Germany, and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm, Germany. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise., Günther HJ, Heilmann C, Meyer-Treschan T, Sesselmann S, Schneke A, Mihatsch L, Lang T, Mihatsch W
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants [JAAPA] 2022 Dec 01; Vol. 35 (12), pp. 45-49.
DOI:	10.1097/01.JAA.0000892728.78698.75
Abstrakt:	Objective: The contribution of physician assistants (PAs) to the German healthcare workforce has increased significantly since their introduction in 2005. From five training programs, the number has increased to the current 18, with 560 PAs awarded the PA bachelor of science degree as of 2020. Despite the growth, researchers lack systemic and reliable empirical data that provide insight into the German PA educational and professional profile. The German University Association Physician Assistant (DHPA) undertook the first nationwide cross-sectional survey on PAs in Germany to understand the German PA movement. This survey aimed to describe German PAs' entry into the profession and PA educational and job satisfaction. Methods: PA alumni of all universities affiliated with the DHPA and all subscribers of the Facebook online social media platform PA Blog were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Results: Of the 282 PAs who completed the survey, 77% were female and under age 25 years. Almost all (94%) were employed, predominantly as PAs (91%, 241 of 265), although some held other positions. Most worked full time (87%), with some citing child-care needs as reasons for part-time employment (n = 21). Few reported unemployment (1.4%, 4 of 282). Eighty-two percent said they would probably or very likely choose the same course of study again. Most employed participants found the inclusion of frequent rotations between didactic and clinical training in PA programs beneficial. However, a small number of participants (26.8%) agreed that German PA programs' didactic and clinical teaching objectives were well aligned. Conclusions: German PAs have a high level of satisfaction with their profession and report low unemployment. Improvement in the alignment of didactic and clinical educational objectives to improve academic qualifications and satisfaction emerged as an area of research. (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Physician Associates.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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