PHAP Perspective: Doctor vs. Physician Assistant- Which Role is Right for Me?

Written by Katelin Stocker '24, Pre-PA

What is a physician assistant (also known as physician associate)? How does the role differ from that of a medical doctor? How do I even begin to consider which path might be right for me? These might be some of the questions that you’ve asked yourself during your time at UVA exploring the healthcare field. As a pre-PA student, I want to share a few of the reasons that showed me that the PA path was the perfect fit for me.

 

Physicians and physician assistants have similar roles and responsibilities in patient care. They treat similar cases and do many of the same things. The main difference is that PAs are required to work alongside a supervising physician. However, PAs often have their own patients and mostly work independently from physicians in primary care. This does mean that they cannot have their own private practice, so if that is important to you, MD is the way to go. Another case where you will want to pursue a career as an MD over a PA is if you want to be a surgeon. While PAs can assist in procedures, MDs are the only medical professionals licensed to perform surgeries.

 

I considered myself a pre-med student when I first came to UVA, but I found myself uneasy about the long journey I had ahead of me before I could actually start to care for patients. All I wanted to do was start practicing and helping others, and I felt discouraged by the lengthy timeline of medical school. When I started to explore the PA profession and discovered that most programs last 24-36 months without a required residency afterward, I felt a sense of relief. I could get to my end goal of caring for patients multiple years before I could if I pursued medical school. This is one of the main reasons I was drawn to the PA route over that of MD.

 

A big reason why PA school is shorter than medical school is because PAs do not specialize in a specific field like MDs do. This means that PAs can work in any specialty they want, anytime they want. One of the biggest decisions medical school students make is what specialty they want to pursue. PA school students are saved from this decision and can switch specialties anytime in their careers. However, MDs often receive more in-depth education and training in their specialties. PAs receive a well-rounded education and have more flexibility within their careers, which is another aspect of the career that I am attracted to.

 

Another aspect of the PA profession that I love is the emphasis on collaboration with other healthcare providers. As mentioned earlier, PAs are not independent practitioners. While this may mean less autonomy for PAs, it also means that there is always someone with more expertise in the specialty to consult or talk things through with. PAs are never alone in their treatment decisions; rather, they always have a specialist that they can approach.

 

If you’re still torn between MD and PA, shadowing both roles are great ways to assess which career aligns best with your goals and aspirations. Also, conducting informational interviews can help you learn more about each career by asking questions you want to know the answers to before you decide. Shadowing and informational interview resources are available on the Pre-Health website. As always, Pre-Health Advising here at UVA is here to help you along your journey!

 

 

References:

https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/pa-versus-md/

https://www.inspiraadvantage.com/blog/pa-vs-md