Physician Assistant-to-Physician Bridge Program

I don't think so. MD curriculum cannot be substituted with PA classes because the quality of PA programs are variable. It's not safe to give PAs too much authority without them gaining adequate training that a full 4 years of med school + internship + residency can provide. Think about patient safety!

There is continued talk in the media about the shortage of Physicians in Primary Care, and how the shortage will continue to grow. Physician Assistants help to fill the "gap", but there are some hurdles that limit reimbursement, do not allow admitting privilages, federal regulations limiting practice ability (eg DOT physicals) are only a couple of examples. This begs the question of whether it would be more appropriate to develop a "PA to MD bridge program" to fulfill the primary healthcare deficit. There should be an exemption for the "bridge student" to enter the 3rd or 4th year if they have been practicing in primary care for a minimum of 5 consecutive years, and have the support of a sponsoring physician. The medical school should also give credit toward residency with the "bridge students" full-time employer sponsoring the "student". There are so many posssibilities to fulfill the needs of healthcare in the future, that serious consideration must be given toward a "PA to MD Bridge Program". Ultimately it only makes sense!

Will our AAPA and similar organizations lobby the AMA or the Osteopaths for support?  I say the time is right for a bridge program. Let's do this!

What is the general feeling about the PA to MD Bridge program essentially bringing the General Practitioner back into practice.  In some ways, the Family Practice Specialty has done this, but the GP would not have to worry about going into a residency program.  As PA's we have been through the residency of life in practice already in most cases.  We would be getting paid a better salary for doing what we already do in most cases, and with a few less restrictions, i.e. prescribing practice, being able to admit a patient when needed, without the "approval of an MD or DO".

Another thought is to work more effectively within a specialty practice as an MD, that would benefit from the role of a GP.