Physician assistant: motivations and perceptions of the profession.
The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with the current gender gap in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession.


METHODS
Sixty-six physician assistant students from three physician assistant programs in southern California.


METHODS
We enrolled a focus group at each school. We used four open-ended questions to explore the participants' reasons for choosing the PA profession. In addition, participants completed a demographic questionnaire. Using qualitative analysis, we identified three themes among the participants' responses.


RESULTS
Responses were grouped in the following categories: 1. Motivations for becoming a PA; 2. Flexibility and autonomy; and 3. Perceptions of a gender gap.


CONCLUSIONS
There are several factors that contribute to the gender gap in the PA profession. Health professions with a gender gap may consider these factors to design a supportive environment for genders as well as re-examine marketing targets and educational awareness.
Loma Linda University, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. kbourne@llu.edu
Kenrick
K
Bourne
Noha
N
Daher
Heather
H
Javaherian
Liane
L
Hewitt
Colwick
C
Wilson
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000523:psychology*; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult