Date of Award

Spring 4-5-2004

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Beth Alexander

Second Advisor

Dawn B. Ludwig

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to distinguish what factors were most significant in medical and physician assistant student's decision to enter medicine, in addition to comparing male and female student's motivation. Methods A survey consisting of potential motives or deterrents for entering medicine was given to medical and PA students. Results were analyzed using an independent T-test. Results PA students reported greater significance on the duration of academic and clinical training, the ability to balance work and family, the opportunity to achieve a high income, dealing with malpractice allegations and the need to be on-call as motives for entering PA school. When male students were compared, male PA students reported greater significance on the ability to balance work with family and the appropriate level of independence within their profession as motives for entering PA school. When female students were compared, female PA students reported greater significance on the opportunity to achieve high income, social prestige/status, duration of academic and professional training, ability to balance work and family responsibilities, and the need to be on-call as motives for entering PA school. Conclusions There was a strong resemblance between medical and PA students in regard to their motivation for entering medicine with no significant differences between genders within medical or PA school. Female students reported greater variance in their decision to enter medical or PA school, when compared with male students.

Identifier

SC 11.PAS.2004.Golla.R

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