Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the relative value of a postbaccalaureate degree in physician assistant (PA) practice and the relationship between total income from primary clinical employer and degree for clinically practicing new PA graduates who were not self-employed or employed by a government. Income is defined as total income a PA expects to receive in the calendar year from his or her primary clinical employer and includes base pay and all other forms of direct monetary compensation. Income excludes the value of fringe benefits paid by the employer. Methods: A backward multiple regression analysis was conducted with total income from primary clinical employer as the dependent variable and over 150 independent variables. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. New graduate information was obtained from the American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Annual Physician Assistant Census and Annual New PA Student Census databases from 1998 to the most currently released data of 2006. Results: The study authors could not reject the null hypothesis that there is no statistical difference between total income for PAs by degree obtained. Conclusions: Physician assistants do not experience an increase in total income with advancements in academic degree. Further studies are necessary to determine the relative value of obtaining advanced degrees in the profession.

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