Commentary
When Did I Start Consulting for Dr. Google?
Patient satisfaction and PA autonomy are this year's hot topics, judging by the contents of our mailbag. See what your colleagues had to say about...
Throughout my 12 years of practice, I have struggled with my delegated authority as a PA in relation to the autonomy of my NP colleagues. Most of the time, I enjoy the PA-physician relationship and see it as a mentoring program, not unlike residency. But after a decade of practice, I find myself occasionally wishing for the ability to hang out a shingle and run my own practice. I often feel taken advantage of by physician employers who reap surplus value from my labor without much appreciation.
So, what could a new model look like? Upon completion of a 5- to 8-year residency, PAs would be eligible to take a post-residency board exam and gain independent practice status. This would be limited to nonsurgical practice and might include family medicine, urgent care, dermatology, and emergency medicine. After passing the board, PAs would gain the ability to practice as an independent entity and treat patients without supervision.
Personally, I would appreciate this flexibility. After 10 years of working in orthopedics, I am now solely in urgent care and locum tenens. Independent status would give PAs the ability to compete with NPs for locum positions where independent practitioners are needed, as well as increase their negotiating/earning potential and range of volunteer opportunities.
Robert Feinberg, PA-C
Bryn Mawr, PA