Initial Practice Patterns of Physician Assistants With Emergency Medical Services Experience

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the relationship between previous experience in emergency medicine services (EMS), as an emergency medicine technician (EMT) or paramedic, and initial physician assistant (PA) employment in emergency medicine and surgery. Method: Using a cohort of students from four masters degree programs, data were extracted retrospectively from the student’s admission files and alumni records. Results: There were 283 subjects reviewed for the study. Fifty-six (19.7%) graduates had emergency medical services (EMS) experience while 227 (80.3%) had no EMS experience. There was no difference between the two groups in the rates of employment in surgery (p=0.4) and when emergency medicine and surgery were combined. (p=0.7). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in their rates of initial employment in emergency medicine (p=0.01). Conclusion: While not predictive, there is a statistically significant relationship between prior EMS experience and initial PA practice in emergency medicine.