PA licensure questions, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and seeking medical care.

Abstract

This study built on a recent publication to explore physician assistant (PA) licensure renewal applications, as well as PA likelihood to seek help for physical or mental health conditions. We were able to obtain licensure renewal applications from 47 states. A national survey was then conducted to explore the connection between licensure questions and help-seeking behavior. Only 18 states were consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in their approach to initial and renewal applications. Thirty-five percent of PAs expressed reluctance to seek help for a mental health issue due to concerns about licensure repercussions. States with applications that were inconsistent with the ADA were significantly more likely to express these concerns. Considerable stigma exists among PAs regarding seeking help for mental health issues. Problematic licensure questions increase this reluctance. Advocacy is needed to reduce stigma of mental health and substance use, and to modernize licensure applications.