The percentage of physician assistant students willing
to work in medically underserved areas declined from 95% in
1996 to 80% today, according to data from the annual Census
Survey of New Physician Assistant Students, released by the
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
Further, 32% of respondents declared an intention of practicing
in a medically underserved area, compared with 38% in 1996.
Other data show that the PA profession is becoming younger
and the ratio of females to males is increasing. The mean age
of first-year students in 2001 was 28.7, compared with 30.4
in 1995. Females comprised 67% of new enrollees in 2001, compared
to 61% in 1995.
Taken from: AMA
(MedEd) Health Professions E-Letter, 8/2002.
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