How COVID-19 is Impacting the PA and NP Professions

How COVID-19 is Impacting the PA and NP Professions Posted By:
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Have you or one of your colleagues had an impactful change to your career or current job because of COVID-19? Apparently, it is happening to more than we know. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), almost 60% of PAs have experienced reduced hours. When asked, most are attributing this to the recent economic shutdown. More than one-fifth (22.1%) of the PA workforce has been furloughed, and nearly one-third (30.6%) of the surveyed PAs have noted a salary reduction due to recent events.

David Mittman, president of the AAPA, stated, "When one in five PAs are furloughed, that means we have highly trained medical providers on the sidelines when they could be on the frontlines. In more than half of states there are barriers preventing a surgical PA, for example, from testing and diagnosing patients in the emergency department. More states must ease these practice restrictions so that PAs can fully contribute to the COVID-19 response."

As we continue to work towards improving the lives of our patients, it is just as important to make sure we preserve and continue to improve how that care is delivered. These economic changes can have a severe impact on workforce development and the future of PAs and NPs. Failure to act is unacceptable, and all of us must ensure we remain active to keep moving our professions forward to provide the care our patients deserve.

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Filed under: Practice Management/Career

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