Physician Assistant Career Insights

What was the primary reason for the creation of the first PA class in the 1960s?

• To replace doctors in hospitals

• To provide an alternative to nursing

• To create a new healthcare profession

• To address the shortage of primary care physicians

Which of the following is a limitation of the PA role in surgical settings?

• PAs can only work in primary care

• PAs are always first assist and do not perform surgeries

• PAs have the same responsibilities as surgeons

• PAs can perform surgeries independently

What is a common misconception about the title 'Physician Assistant'?

• PAs only perform administrative tasks

• PAs have a limited scope of practice

• PAs do much more than a scribe or medical assistant

• PAs cannot see their own patients

What is the average GPA of PA school matriculants?

• 2.5

• 3.0

• 3.5

• 4.0

How long does PA school typically last?

• 2 to 2.5 years

• 1 year

• 5 years

• 4 years

What is a key difference in the training of PAs compared to physicians?

• PAs study the human body in greater depth

• PAs have more academic knowledge

• PAs have more clinical experience by the time they start rotating

• PAs undergo longer training

What is one of the main benefits of being a PA compared to a physician?

• Ability to perform surgeries

• More autonomy

• Shorter training period

• Higher salary

What is the median compensation range for PAs?

• $120,000 - $130,000

• $95,000 - $100,000

• $70,000 - $80,000

• $50,000 - $60,000

Which factor does NOT affect a PA's scope of practice and autonomy?

• The PA's years of experience

• Trust and relationship with supervising MD

• The PA's personal preferences

• State and hospital regulations

What is a potential challenge for PAs in terms of patient interaction?

• Inability to work in multiple specialties

• Lack of direct patient contact

• Barrier to trust due to less prestige

• Limited ability to change specialties