[First Insights into Scope of Practice and Salary of Physician Assistants, A New Healthcare Profession, in Germany].

BACKGROUND

In 2010, the first government-approved physician assistant (PA) program was introduced at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Karlsruhe (DHBW). There are not sufficient data regarding the scope of practice and salary of our graduates. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to obtain information regarding these.

METHODS

The survey included all graduates (2 classes, n=27). A specific questionnaire was developed, including 37 questions e. g. on the current employment status, scope of practice, salary and job satisfaction regarding the PA program and career. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out using SPSS.

RESULTS

25 graduates participated in the survey (96.1%); the average age of participants was 32.2 years (25-53 years). 88% (n=22) were employed as a PA, most of them worked in internal medicine (n=11) or surgery (n=9). Responsibilities that are often or very often assigned to the PAs are preparing final documents, taking over a coordinating role in the therapeutic team, as well as participation in taking patient medical history and conducting physical examinations. In two-thirds of respondents, the gross monthly base salary (full-time position) was about 3000 euros. 77.3% (n=17) of graduates were generally satisfied or very satisfied with their current situation.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that graduates of the DHBW are well integrated into the staff structure of hospitals, as far as the scope of practice and average salary are concerned. Further studies on the integration of this new profession in Germany and on their extended scope of practice in comparison to established healthcare professions will be conducted.