(#194) Characteristics of the Physician Assistant/Associate Workforce in Psychiatry: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis

Abstract: According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the supply of psychiatrists is projected to decline by 27% by 2030. To address this shortage, physician assistants/associates (PAs) in psychiatry are increasingly helping to bridge the gap in psychiatric care and improve access to mental health services. We utilized 2024 National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants workforce data to compare demographics, practice settings, and key attributes of board certified PAs in psychiatry (n=3,224; 2.4%) to PAs in all other specialties (n=131,215; 97.6%). Psychiatry is the fastest-growing PA specialty, increasing from 1.8% (n=1,887) in 2020. PAs in psychiatry were slightly younger (median age 38 vs. 39; p 0.001), predominantly female (73.1% vs. 70.6%; p=0.002), and more racially diverse compared to PAs in other specialties. Critically, compared to their colleagues in other disciplines, PAs in psychiatry were more likely to provide care in medically underserved areas (31.2% vs. 24.3%; p 0.001) and be satisfied with their position (85.7% vs. 83.5%; p=0.002). They were also more likely to have changed specialties (p 0.001). Telemedicine adoption was substantially higher among PAs in psychiatry (79.4% vs. 42.5%; p 0.001), with 11.9% providing 40 or more hours per week vs. 1.1% of PAs in other disciplines (p 0.001). Furthermore, they more frequently engaged in at least weekly core psychiatric care activities (screening, diagnosis, treatment initiation/maintenance). The distinct characteristics of the rapidly expanding PA psychiatric workforce, notably their higher concentration in underserved areas and extensive use of telemedicine, underscore their crucial role in addressing the psychiatrist shortage and enhancing mental health services.

Short Description: The physician assistant/associate (PA) profession is rapidly expanding, playing a crucial role in addressing the shortage of psychiatrists and enhancing access to mental health care. Our study examined the demographics, practice patterns, and other key attributes of PAs in psychiatry compared to those in other specialties. By understanding the characteristics of PAs in psychiatry, we can better quantify their contributions to the psychiatric workforce and their impact on improving access to mental health services.

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