A new Wolters Kluwer Health survey has reported widespread adoption of artificial intelligence among physician assistants alongside significant workforce changes and identified gaps in training and workplace guidance.
Survey findings from Wolters Kluwer Health have indicated that artificial intelligence is embedded in clinical practice for physician assistants, also referred to as physician associates, with 56% reporting daily use and 19% reporting extensive reliance. The most common use cases have been clinical documentation, cited by 61% of respondents, and ambient scribe technologies for patient interaction note-taking, cited by 48%.
The survey, titled ‘Future Forecast: The Growing Impact of PAs in the Healthcare Ecosystem’, has shown that despite this level of adoption, 87% of physician assistants have acknowledged a need to learn more about artificial intelligence, and 83% have expressed a desire for more formal, employer-led training. Additionally, 89% of respondents have indicated that artificial intelligence will dramatically change physician assistant practice, while only 32% have reported having clear workplace guidelines for safe artificial intelligence use.
The findings have also indicated that 70% of physician assistants believe their profession has changed over the past three years, with the most frequently cited changes involving interactions with insurance companies, reported by 42%, and artificial intelligence, reported by 40%. Respondents with more than five years of practice experience have reported observing more changes compared with newer colleagues, reinforcing the importance of ongoing skill development beyond initial education.
The survey has noted that the number of physician assistants has increased by nearly 74% since 2016, reflecting their growing role within patient care teams and their contribution to addressing gaps in care delivery amid evolving healthcare demands. The findings have also highlighted areas within the current physician assistant education landscape that require additional support and development.
Regarding education and transition to practice, 95% of respondents have stated that their studies prepared them adequately for practice. However, during the transition to patient care, some respondents reported feeling less prepared in specific areas, including documentation, cited by 23%, and prescribing medications, cited by 20%.
Additional findings related to the education-to-practice journey have shown that 62% of respondents wished they had more clinical experience during their education, and only 9% had completed a formal residency before entering the workforce. At the same time, 96% reported feeling prepared for patient interactions, 95% felt prepared to collaborate with doctors, and 90% felt prepared to work with medical assistants. When asked what advice they would give to individuals studying to become physician assistants, the most common response, cited by 20%, was to continue learning proactively.
In terms of professional satisfaction and role perception, 97% of physician assistants reported satisfaction with their ability to practice at the top of their license, and 96% reported having autonomy in their practice. While 99% indicated they are currently referred to as physician assistants, 45% stated a preference for the title physician associate. Fewer than half of respondents, at 43%, believed their patients understand the differences between doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners within care teams.
The survey findings have also referenced ongoing efforts to replace the title “physician assistant” with “physician associate,” noting that three states have already adopted legislation supporting the change. According to the American Academy of Physician Associates, the title change is intended to more accurately reflect the profession’s training, autonomy, and role in team-based care.
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