Study finds 91% of patients feel PAs are part of the solution to addressing the shortage of healthcare providers

NEW YORK, NY – The New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) is honoring the nearly 20,000 licensed PAs in New York during PA Week. Every year from October 6 – 12, National PA Week recognizes the PA profession and its contributions to the nation’s healthcare system. NYSSPA will be recognizing PAs across New York and sharing their contributions to healthcare with the public across their platforms. NYSSPA joins the national celebration led by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA).

“It is clear to patients and healthcare professionals that we are facing a workforce crisis. We know that this won’t be solved overnight, but sensible steps can be taken to bolster the existing workforce. This PA Week, we are calling attention to the integral role PAs are playing in communities throughout New York State as we urge lawmakers to pass legislation that allows us to practice to our full capabilities and education,” said Ed Mathes, President, New York State Society of PAs.

Earlier this year, AAPA and The Harris Poll conducted a study that looked at The Patient Experience: Perspectives on Today’s Healthcare. Findings from this research make clear that the United States healthcare system is under stress. PAs play a critical role in addressing the healthcare workforce shortage, but they can also provide the trusted healthcare relationships that patients crave. The study found:

  • 79% of adults who have seen a PA rate the medical care they received from their PA in the past 12 months as good or excellent;
  • 67% of adult patients who have seen a PA say they would trust a PA to serve as their primary health provider.

Additionally, the study calls attention to the bleak patient impression of the workforce in the United States healthcare system:

  • 66% of adults say they feel that healthcare providers seem more rushed than in the past;
  • 68% of respondents are concerned that healthcare shortages will impact them and/or their families/loved ones.

This PA week, as the tireless efforts of PAs are recognized, NYSSPA urges officials to acknowledge the integral role these healthcare professionals play in the state’s healthcare system. PAs across New York State are calling on the legislature to empower PAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training by removing administrative barriers to practice.

In 2023, Governor Kathy moved to remove administrative barriers to PA practice by including the removal of physician supervision in her executive budget proposal. This move would have allowed PAs to continue practicing at the top of their education and training, as they had been doing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare workforce emergency under executive authority. Now, New York State once again has the opportunity to address the healthcare workforce shortage by supporting established healthcare professionals in the upcoming legislative session by passing this legislation.

New York State is home to nearly 20,000 licensed PAs who provide preventive health services, diagnosing illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patients’ principal healthcare providers. PAs practice in primary care, all surgical specialties, critical care, rural health, hospice, telehealth, palliative medicine, and mental health. These healthcare professionals provide high-quality care and have similar health outcomes as physicians, with the ability to see patients of all ages, in any setting on any specialty. On top of that, 40% of primary care PAs work in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) across the state.

For more information about NYSSPA and their efforts, please visit https://www.nysspa.org/.