Pa Vs Md

MDs must then pass all three steps of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to become board-certified and obtain a state license. Those seeking to pursue a highly specialized area of medicine must do a fellowship. Both professions require periodic recertification and continuing education throughout their careers.

What’s the Difference Between a Physician Assistant and an MD?

Any time you get sick, you’ll probably meet an alphabet soup of credentialed healthcare providers. Before you even make it to the exam room, you’ve probably seen registration staff, triage nurses, and perhaps even a medical technician that took your temperature and weight. And all of this happens before you’re evaluated by a clinician, who may or may not be a doctor, but a physician assistant (PA).

You already probably recognize the title MD and RN, but healthcare is full of acronyms, and we know it can be confusing. The PA title could be unfamiliar, but the level of care you receive from one is actually the same.

So, what is a PA? Is an MD different (or better) than a PA? This article will help you understand key similarities and differences between a PA and MD.

Meet our Physician Assistant, Ashley!

What Is a Physician Assistant?

A PA is an advanced practice professional (APP) that provides the same quality of care as an MD. What’s different is the level of education between the two medical certifications. PAs condense much of the same medical school training that doctors receive in a shorter window of time.

Here are some facts about PA educational requirements that may surprise you:

• PAs first receive a four-year undergraduate degree
• PAs go on for at least two more years to receive a master’s degree
• They must also have some experience in a healthcare setting, such as working as an ambulance attendant or an ER tech to be accepted into PA school
• PAs then attend a rigorous three-year medical training program in medical and behavioral science and ethics
• PAs also go through a clinical residency where they spend more than 2,000 hours treating patients in their chosen field
• PAs must pass board certification and receive licensure to practice

So, if the biggest difference between a PA and MD is the amount of time they spend in school, what does that look like for doctors? Here are some facts about MD educational requirements:

• MDs must attend a four-year undergraduate program
• After four more years of medical school, they officially become MDs
• Then these new doctors attend residency that lasts another three to seven years
• At the end of residency, MDs may attend a fellowship for several more years in a practice specialty area

Both MDs and PAs undergo extensive training in anatomy, body functions, diseases, and treatment. The latter portion of both areas of study require hours of clinical hands-on training with patients. Both clinicians never stop learning and are regularly required to complete continuing medical education (CME) credits.

If these specialty areas are so similar you may be wondering why it’s even necessary to have a PA. After all, there are plenty of doctors out there, right?

Actually, that’s the problem.

Why Do We Need Physician Assistants?

PAs help us in a variety of ways, but for starters, we need PAs to help solve a supply and demand problem with our physicians. The latest data shows that the United States will face a shortage of physicians that could go as high as 124,000 by 2034.

Even before COVID-19, the shortage of doctors was already being felt by patients. Today there are 218 counties in the U.S. that don’t have a single physician providing care. Many physicians who have been practicing for decades will be retiring in the coming years. This will place more of a burden on our healthcare providers to give you the care you need. For you, as a patient, the wait time for an appointment is expected to increase. Some patients may have to travel even to receive the most basic level of care. You may experience less time with your doctor.

The bright light ahead lies in our ability to leverage PAs, who can provide 80% of the same types of services as an MD. There are more than 139,000 board certified PAs in the U.S. today, so the chances of you running into one are pretty high. PAs and MDs interact with patients, diagnose, and prescribe treatments. There are signs that the PAs role in the typical medical practice is increasing; the number of PAs grew by 6.52% from 2018 to 2019 .

PAs are a greatly needed and respected resource for our nation’s healthcare system. They can stretch our safety net and help all of us get the help we need when we need it the most. So, is it okay to see a PA instead of your regular doctor?

Is It Okay to See a Physician Assistant Instead of an MD?

Absolutely. PAs are both highly skilled and highly trained medical professionals that work under the supervision of an MD and are fully prepared to provide you with the highest quality of care and caring.

Like a doctor, a PA performs diagnostic exams and treatments and works with you on preventative care to improve your health. PAs in all 50 States, Guam, and Washington, D.C. can even provide prescriptions.

An MD can work independently, while a PA must always work under the supervision of a doctor. PAs can’t perform surgeries, but they can assist an MD during the procedure. However, an MD and a PA both can:

• Develop patient treatment plans
• Diagnose disease
• Offer counseling on preventative healthcare
• Order medical tests and interpret the results
• Perform medical procedures
• Prescribe medications

The benefits of seeing a PA over an MD are that, instead of just having an MD provide care, you’ll see the PA and the MD will approve the treatment. That’s like receiving an automatic second opinion from a trusted medical advisor (for free). Additionally, you may feel less rushed with your PA, given the demand on an MDs time and bandwidth.

What Can a Physician Assistant Do for My Allergies?

The answer to this is simple: The same thing a doctor would do. Board-certified PAs at the Adult and Children Allergy Asthma Center are your allies in the treatment of your seasonal or other types of allergies. Our entire team is here to help dig into the symptoms and underlying conditions that are causing you discomfort.

The next time you come to our practice, we’d like to invite you to meet Ashley Reuter, our board-certified physician assistant . She works closely with Kevin Farnam, MD, our board-certified allergist, to diagnose and treat your condition. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

PA vs MD: Roles, Responsibilities, And Key Differences

Attending medical school allows you to have choices as you forge your way into the medical field. With the right training, you can become a physician assistant (PA) or a doctor of medicine (MD). You’ll be working with patients and bettering lives in the community no matter what route you choose.

Although they’re both highly collaborative roles with considerable overlap in their duties, they’re incredibly distinct. So, what’s the difference between them? How do you become one, and which is better? If you’re switching from MD to PA and back again, we’ll walk you through how to choose between PA and MD.

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

Thank you! Look for the downloadable guide just sent to your inbox.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

What Is a PA?

A PA is a versatile licensed medical professional educated in the medical model who collaborates with physicians to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. PAs have diverse roles and responsibilities.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

What Is an MD?

An MD is a licensed medical professional who practices allopathic medicine. They receive thorough training in various specialized medical fields, including pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and radiology.

PA vs. MD: Philosophy

There are many differences between PAs and MDs: let’s start with philosophy. PAs, like MDs, are educated in the medical model. Dawn Morton-Rias, president and CEO of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, states the “foremost responsibility” of a PA, “like physicians, is to diagnose, treat and manage” patients.

Morton-Rias claims that once licensed, PAs provide 80 – 90% of the services ordinarily provided by physicians. A study by the Annals of Internal Medicine determined there were no significant variations in the care and treatment of diabetes by PAs and MDs.

However, one difference between PAs vs Drs is that PAs aren’t independent practitioners. Each state regulates the PA scope of practice differently, though all PAs must work under the supervision of an MD.

In contrast, physicians can perform all the duties PAs can. They maintain independent medical practices. Unlike PAs, they have full liability over their patients.

Additionally, when patients have complex cases, other differences between the two careers emerge. Morton-Rias notes that “on the rare occasion where the patient has a very complex or unique situation or condition presenting unusually, then we consult with physicians on care and management of that patient.”

PA vs. MD: Application and Education

Both MD and PA career routes are competitive. Here’s what you need to know:

Requirements

While requirements vary between schools, some PA schools may have GPA cutoffs between 2.75 – 3.2, along with science-based course requirements. Most applicants major in a science-based field to fulfill course requirements.

Although not always required for your undergraduate degree, you may need to take classes like physics, statistics, and ethics. If these topics aren’t covered in your major, you may need to take more electives in these areas. Prospective PAs also need to take the GRE.

One of the unique prerequisites for PA schools is the hours of healthcare experience. Some programs may require 1,000 hours, whereas others ask for 2,000 – it depends on the program. Although not required for all programs, gaining hands-on experience with patients can help you become a more competitive applicant.

Unfortunately, assisting with ailing family members and shadowing physicians won’t cut it — the school admissions boards look for paid healthcare experience. However, several fields accepted for these hours include:

• Emergency room technician
• EMT (emergency medicine)
• Registered nurse
• Medical assistant
• Medical technologist
• Chiropractic assistant
• Respiratory therapist

For medical school, more rigorous academic requirements need to be met. A minimum GPA may need to be met for entry, but the average matriculant GPA is 3.62. Although you can major in any field, certain prereqs need to be met. The coursework required for many medical schools includes:

• Biology: two semesters with lab
• Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
• Inorganic chemistry: two semesters with lab
• Physics: two semesters with lab
• Math: two semesters
• English: two semesters
• Biochemistry: one semester

Though the required healthcare experience for med school is often far lower than for PAs, having hands-on medical-related experience makes you a more competitive applicant. Instead of the GRE, prospective MDs must take the MCAT.

Although some medical schools set minimum scores and others don’t, the average MCAT score that most MD applicants achieve is 511.

Cost

Though fees depend on the school and location, the total tuition costs of PA programs range from $30,000 to over $120,000.

Medical school costs significantly more, and tuition rates are increasing. Costs depend on the school’s location and other factors. The average tuition fee is $41,000.

Course Structure

PA school can take anywhere from 12 months to three years to complete, though most courses range from two to three years. Compared to medical school, PA school is more generalized.

The first year provides you with a firm grounding in various topics such as:

• Medical ethics
• Clinical medicine
• Human anatomy
• Pharmacology

One advantage of this more generalized curriculum is that studying multiple specialties offers PAs the flexibility to work in more than one specialty during their career.

For MD students, the first two years are spent taking courses such as:

• Biochemistry
• Anatomy
• Medical ethics
• Pharmacology

Practical skills like examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, and taking medical histories are also gained during this period. During the later years of both programs, there’s a strong focus on clinical rotations completed within hospitals/clinics under experienced medical professionals’ supervision.

PAs spend more than 2,000 hours doing clinical rotations in medical areas, providing them with a broad base of practical knowledge. Rotations offer students cross-functional knowledge that can be used when dealing with various emergencies and in their daily practice.

One secret to thriving during your rotation, says Dr. Bernard Leo Remakes, is to “completely immerse yourself in the rotation as though you planned to specialize in the rotation’s discipline.”

Post-Education and Licensure

Once PAs graduate from an accredited PA school, they can begin their careers. To do so, they must obtain a state license after passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Although there are options to pursue additional training, Ann Marie Strong, a Family Medicine Physician Assistant in Minneapolis, says that “most PAs round out their skills with on-the-job training” instead of undertaking “optional residencies.”

For physicians, however, further education is required. Almost all graduates enter a residency program catering to their preferred specialty. This is one of the requirements for obtaining a medical license.

These residencies tend to last between three and seven years, depending on the specialty. The National Resident Matching Program’s Main Residency Match, better known as “The Match,” is the most widely used system that allocates medical students a spot in a U.S. residency program.

MDs must then pass all three steps of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to become board-certified and obtain a state license. Those seeking to pursue a highly specialized area of medicine must do a fellowship. Both professions require periodic recertification and continuing education throughout their careers.

PA vs. MD Lifestyle and Practice

“So you finish medical school, residency, and become a full-fledged practicing doctor. You are ready for a good night’s sleep. Forget about it,” jokes Dr. Alex Roher, a certified anesthetist. “Modern working arrangements,” Roher says, have created “the ‘week of nights,’ where you work four or five and sometimes seven night shifts in a row.”

The MD vs PA lifestyle varies. Although some PAs work more than 40 hours per week, they typically have a somewhat consistent 9-to-5 schedule. On the other hand, MDs often work long, irregular, and overnight hours.

The Physicians Foundation’s Physician Survey found that most physicians work an average of 51.5 hours a week, with almost 1 in 4 working 61- to 80-hour weeks. Additionally, both professionals can be on call, meaning they must respond to work emergencies with little notice.

Unfortunately, both careers can be physically and emotionally demanding. Dr. Arun Saini, an assistant professor in the Division of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, states that “dissatisfaction, depression, and burnout are common in physicians.”

One Medscape survey reported that 42% of 115,000 physicians in 29 specialties experienced high-stress levels and burnout.

For PAs, this figure stands at a slightly lower 32.6 percent, according to the AAPA. “Typically, the PA lifestyle — it’s a little less stressful because there’s a little less responsibility involved, less schooling obviously,” says Joshua Johnson, a Hawaii-based PA who focuses on orthopedic surgery.

PA vs. MD: Career Outlook and Salary

A physician assistant’s job outlook is excellent! The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that in the next ten years, the employment rate of PAs will grow by 28%, much faster than the average of all occupations.

The demand for PAs is so high that three-quarters of graduates receive multiple job offers at graduation. While not as high as the demand for PAs, the overall need for physicians and surgeons is anticipated to grow by 3% in the same period (slower than the average of all occupations).

“Once you have your PA license, that basically affords you an opportunity to work in any medical specialty,” says Hanifin. Having this level of mid-career flexibility, Hanifin continues, means PAs can transfer between specialties without additional training.

Data from four decades analyzed by the AAPA indicates that 49% of PAs changed their specialty at least once throughout their practice. However, while physicians have more opportunities to specialize during their training, changing specialties is challenging. The cost and time of retraining are enormous.

While physicians don’t have the same mid-career flexibility PAs do, their education and residency mean they can work independently.

Salary

Salaries for PA vs Dr. professions depend on several factors, including their specialization, the location of their practice, and whether they work in a private practice, hospital, or clinic. The BLS reports that PAs earn an average annual salary of $126,010.

On the other hand, MDs generally earn higher wages than PAs. The BLS has stated that the median salary of MDs was more significant than or equal to $229,300. According to the BLS, most MDs are family and general doctors who earn an average wage of $224,460.

Of course, the wages of MDs are dependent upon their specialization. The average annual salaries for anesthesiologists, surgeons, and psychiatrists are $302,970, $347,870, and $247,350, respectively. However, one annual survey found that plastic surgeons can earn over $500,000 in one year alone.

Which Is Better? How to Choose Between PA and MD

Hanifin says the main factors influencing a student’s decision to attend PA school are the ability to begin a career more quickly, combined with the length of PA programs and the smaller debt burden.

PA	MD
Similar duties but requires supervision	Can work independently
More consistent ‘9-5’ work hours	Long, irregular hours
Providers or administrators	A more comprehensive range of work options, including medical & non-clinical leadership
Great mid-career flexibility	Less flexible once specialized
Better work/life balance	Worse work/life balance
Average salary – $126,010	Average salary – $229,300

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Will Kirby, a dermatologist, and the chief medical officer for the LaserAway aesthetic dermatology group, argues this mid-career flexibility is an advantage of being a PA. If your work-life balance needs a change, Kirby states:

“A PA who starts out in a kinetic field in his or her early 20s, like emergency medicine, for example, may decide that they want to start a family and that a slower-paced, more predictable field suits them better in their early 30s and can transition over to dermatology with very little effort.”

On the other hand, becoming an MD has its advantages. If money is a motivating factor, MDs generally receive higher wages than PAs, primarily if they pursue a specialty like plastic surgery.

For Dr. Strong, her love and enjoyment of the science of medicine led her to “the more in-depth training of medical school and residency.” The varied, dynamic, and autonomous nature of a career as an MD is a handsome prospect; MDs can work independently. They can run their own practices and receive higher financial compensation while doing it.

Dr. Sylvie Stacy, a Bessemer-based Preventive Medicine Physician, also says that MDs have a more comprehensive range of work options. “Especially in medical or healthcare-related, non-clinical jobs, such as working for a pharmaceutical company or health insurance company” and organizations looking for medical leadership, she continues, MDs are highly sought after.

For those deciding between PA vs MD, Sobel suggests “considering shadowing both types of healthcare providers” and speaking with those in each profession. Asking real-time questions and having hands-on experiences with both careers uncovers how “the pros and cons of each profession will resonate differently with every individual.”

FAQs: PA vs. MD

Still have questions about the differences between PAs and MDs? Check out our most frequently asked questions!

1. Do I Need to Take the MCAT to Get Into a PA Program?

This is one difference between PAs and MDs; no PA programs require you to take the MCAT. However, most PA schools require the GRE instead.

2. Where Do PAs Work?

Like MDs, PAs work in various healthcare settings, including:

• Nursing homes
• Community health centers
• Medical offices
• Hospitals
• Educational facilities
• Workplace clinics
• Correctional institutions

PAs can also work for federal government agencies and serve in the military.

3. Can a PA Become a Doctor?

The answer to whether a PA can become an MD is yes, although the road is a long one. However, it’s possible. You’ll need to attend four years of medical school, a residency program, and then sit the USMLE to become licensed.

4. How Does the Work/Life Balance of an MD Compare With a PA?

If you’re wondering if you should become a PA or MD, work/life balance is a main influencer. Though both occupations work on-call, PAs have many roles and responsibilities but often have a more structured schedule.

5. How Much Clinical Experience Do I Need to Become a PA?

Most PA schools require hands-on healthcare experience. Many prospective PA students are former medical assistants, paramedics, and nurses who have accumulated these hours over their careers.

6. Can MDs Re-Specialize?

Yes, you’d have to complete another residency program.

7. Why Choose to Become a PA Over MD?

If you’re considering why you should do a PA instead of an MD, think of what you want most out of your career. If money is your main motivator, an MD is a clear choice. However, if you want a better work/life balance and more consistent hours, PA may be the better choice.

8. Is Becoming a PA Easier Than an MD?

While both are certainly not easy routes, physician assistants typically spend much less time in school (12 months to three years), while MDs must complete medical school and a residency (a minimum of seven years).

9. Is a PA a Doctor?

Physician assistants aren’t doctors.

PA vs. MD: The Choice Is Yours

“Should I become a PA or an MD?” It’s a difficult question and one that only you can answer.

If you’re looking to perform clinical tasks independently, earn a large sum of money, and run your own practice, become an MD.

However, if you’re unsure where your medical future lies, consider becoming a PA. The mid-career flexibility combined with the slightly less stressful work/life balance is an attractive prospect for many. Ultimately, when deciding between PA vs MD, your decision depends on you, your motivations, and your future ambitions.