141 PA Programs

21% of our graduates practice general medicine 27% primary care specialty.  Our program has lowered the costs, selecting high quality applicants.  200 applicants for every seat, the same number of seats.  We're rejecting less qualified applicants when before we placed applicants on waiting lists.

Of greater concern is the fact that now there are international PA programs sprouting up that are not recognized (i.e. accredited) by the ARC-PA.  This means there are no agreeable standards by which to train these PAs.  While the ARC-PA has refused to accredit these programs, this does not make them any less of a concern for us all.  This is a specific serious concern here in Florida, as recent developments have led to a push by entrepreneurs who are spending large dollars lobbying in our Capitol to change our laws to allow PAs from non-accredited schools (such as from Antigua) to enter our state and practice as if they were trained like the rest of us.  Obviously Florida is a target due to our borders, but if the floodgates open in Florida you better believe the whole nation will eventually be saturated with poorly trained professionals carrying around the PA name.  This is far scarier than any concern over PA Programs opening up in our own country.  ARC-PA needs to carefully look at this situation and develop a branch that deals specifically with foreign trained schools before we SERIOUSLY water down the quality and value of our profession.  

We also need to appreciate the fact that our profession is going worldwide, and many nations are now opening "PA Schools" and hiring them in their medical offices and hospitals.  Many of these "PAs" will want to come work in the US.  If we don't figure out how to accomodate this eventual rush on our borders, it will be figured out legislatively for us.  

Eric S. Smith, MMS, PA-C

Clearwater, FL

When are we going to learn that more doesn't mean better? The only reason there has been an explosion of PA programs is because the Universities have found out that they can make big money off the program. Yes there is more demand for PAs and yes we are frequently in competition with NPs for positions. Yes, there are a gazillion NP training programs around the country that are cranking out NPs like Toyotas. BUT - QUALITY does matter. Having taught at what might be arguably the most expensive PA program in the country; I have seen the applicant pool. When I went to school, there were 300+ applicants for every seat. Today, there are 3. I fear we are not only dipping out of a shallow pool; but are in fact diluting standards and in the long run hurting the profession.