According to the report, the already-strong demand for physician assistants will increase as a result of healthcare reform and the need for more primary care services. As physicians experience the additional burden of more patients, PAs will likely be used to examine patients and prescribe medications with physician supervision. PAs may also be used more in medical specialties, particularly orthopedics, the report predicts.
The use of PAs may also increase as the industry puts stricter limitations on the number of hours medical residents may work. The current limit is 80 hours per week, but the American Council for Graduate Medical education is considering lowering the number to 60 hours per week.
According to the report, the mean starting salary in Minnesota for primary care PAs is $75,657. PAs working for specialists could earn an additional $10,000-$15,000.
Read the Star-Tribune report on PA demand.
Read more on physician shortages:
–Rhode Island Representative Urges Insurers to Retain Physicians With Better Reimbursement
–Rural Physicians, Specialists See Higher Average Compensation Than Those in Cities, Suburbs
–5 Issues Affecting Hospital Employment
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