Suicide and homicide deaths of PAs: Analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System.

Abstract

This study describes physician associate/assistant (PA) deaths in the US CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2003 to 2020. PAs' violent deaths were analyzed and summarized in terms of decedents' numbers and demographics, methods of death, locations of death, and relationships with assailants. The NVDRS identified 93 suicides and 9 homicides in this period. PAs who died by suicide were mostly White (93.5%) and male (67.7%); mean age was 49.7 years. A third of the PAs who died by homicide were Black; most were female (55.6%), and the mean age was 48.7 years. Firearms (41.7%) were most commonly involved in deaths by suicide, and blunt impact (33.3%) was most commonly seen in deaths by homicide. A plurality (46.1%) of suicides and homicides occurred in the South. Homes (72.5%) were the most frequent location. No homicides were reported in medical settings. Known perpetrators were mainly relatives and male; none were patients. Incidence of PA death by suicide or homicide is low relative to the general population. These deaths generally are not related to PAs' work. Delineating the incidence of violent deaths is a step toward informing preventive efforts.