Moving from clinical practice to academe: An analysis of career change for physician assistants

Gerard Jude Marciano, Fordham University

Abstract

Recruitment of qualified and motivated faculty for physician assistant education programs is difficult. While the causes of the difficulty may be many, the primary one is the physician assistants (PAs) must choose between clinical and academic practice in order to pursue a career in academe. Little if any research has been conducted in this area. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the motivating factors experienced by PA program faculty in New York State regarding the levels of satisfaction experienced by academic PAs both in their current position and retrospectively regarding clinical practice. It was proved that there were less feelings of competence experienced by academic versus clinical PAs. There was relatedness experienced by the Academic PA especially with relation to colleagues and students. Finally it was shown that there is no difference in the feelings of autonomy experienced by academic versus clinical PAs, and PAs do feel they apply their knowledge well during academic practice, and that the greater the perception and development of duties, and the ability to increase ones knowledge, all portend increased job satisfaction and longevity.

Subject Area

Higher Education Administration|Health sciences|Health education

Recommended Citation

Marciano, Gerard Jude, "Moving from clinical practice to academe: An analysis of career change for physician assistants" (2013). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3590546.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3590546

Share

COinS