Objective: This dissertation analyzed one state's physician assistant (PA) workforce focusing on recruitment and retention. The goal was to identify factors associated with Indiana PAs working in medically underserved, rural, and primary-care medicine. The study evaluated characteristics of PAs who chose initially to work in rural versus urban areas and who have continued to do so. From the literature and as a result of study outcomes, a framework was developed, upon which recommendations were made for effective methods of increasing and retaining the number of PAs in primary care within rural areas. Subjects: Data were obtained from applications for PA licensure submitted to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency between the years 2000 and 2010. Additionally, PAs working in Indiana who graduated during this period were surveyed. Methods: Descriptive statistics quantitatively defined the Indiana PA workforce. Survey questions to this population focused on provider upbringing, education, and specialization interest, as well as recruitment and retention to rural, primary-care, or underserved areas. Chi Square tests and logistic regression were used, where appropriate, to examine the influence of independent variables on the choice of practicing in rural, primary-care, and medically underserved areas. Based on these responses, recommendations were developed for strategies to increase the supply of physician assistants in rural areas. Findings: Among applicants for PA licensure in Indiana from 2000 to 2010, there were more females (70%) than males (30%), and the median age of applicants was 35 years. Respondent PAs predominantly worked in counties that were designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as metropolitan (91.3%) and largely in areas designated as Code 1 according to Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, the highest level of urbanicity. Additionally, more PAs worked in a specialty area (79%) than in primary care (21%). Chi Square analyses revealed significant relationships (p
| Date of Award | Jan 1 2014 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Guy Nehrenz (Supervisor) |
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