West Julie M, Carraher Amanda, Jadallah Erin, Kearns Patrick, O'Brien Andrew L, Huayllani Peralta Maria, Moore Amy M, Janis Jeffrey E
From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 May 22;11(5):e4989. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004989. eCollection 2023 May.
Physician assistants (PAs) are an essential part of the healthcare team who improve access and efficiencies in patient care. A better understanding of the impact and current utilization of PAs in plastic and reconstructive surgery is needed. The purpose of this national survey was to evaluate the role and scope of practice of PAs in academic plastic surgery, as well as characterize current trends of PA utilization, compensation, and perceived value from a PA perspective.
A voluntary, anonymous 50-question survey was distributed via SurveyMonkey to practicing PAs at 98 academic plastic surgery programs. The survey included questions about employment characteristics, involvement in clinical research and academic work, structural organization, academic benefits, compensation, and position held.
Ninety-one PAs from 35 plastic surgery programs completed the survey and were included (overall program response rate = 36.8%, participants response rate = 30.4%). Practice environments included outpatient clinics, the operating room, and inpatient care. Most commonly, respondents supported multiple surgeons as opposed to one surgeon's practice. For 57% of respondents, compensation is based on a tiered system that accounts for specialty and experience. The reported mode base salary range corroborates national averages and most reported annual bonuses based on merit. The majority of respondents felt valued in their role.
Through this national survey, we provide granularity as to how PAs are utilized and compensated in academic plastic surgery. We offer insight into the overall perceived value from a PA perspective that helps define the role and will ultimately help strengthen collaboration.
医师助理（PAs）是医疗团队的重要组成部分，他们提高了患者护理的可及性和效率。需要更好地了解医师助理在整形和重建手术中的影响及当前利用情况。这项全国性调查的目的是评估医师助理在学术性整形手术中的作用和实践范围，并从医师助理的角度描述其利用、薪酬和感知价值的当前趋势。
通过SurveyMonkey向98个学术性整形手术项目中执业的医师助理发放了一份自愿、匿名的包含50个问题的调查问卷。该调查包括有关就业特征、参与临床研究和学术工作、组织结构、学术福利、薪酬和职位的问题。
来自35个整形手术项目的91名医师助理完成了调查并被纳入（总体项目回复率 = 36.8%，参与者回复率 = 30.4%）。实践环境包括门诊诊所、手术室和住院护理。最常见的情况是，受访者支持多位外科医生，而非仅服务于一位外科医生。对于57%的受访者来说，薪酬基于一个考虑专业和经验的分级系统。报告的基本工资模式范围与全国平均水平相符，且大多数报告称有基于绩效的年度奖金。大多数受访者认为自己的角色很有价值。
通过这项全国性调查，我们提供了有关医师助理在学术性整形手术中如何被利用和获得薪酬的详细信息。我们从医师助理的角度深入了解了总体感知价值，这有助于界定其角色，并最终有助于加强合作。
