(#195) Enhancing Access to Mental Health Care: The Contributions of Physician Assistants/Associates in the Provision of Mental Health Services

Abstract: The projected shortages of psychiatrists, combined with a rise in mental health (MH) disorders, are straining the US healthcare system. Physician assistants/associates (PAs) have been integral in lessening this MH crisis. In the last decade, the PA profession has expanded by 55%, highlighting the need for updated research to better understand the role of PAs in delivering MH services. Utilizing 2024 workforce data from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, we quantified the frequency of PAs performing key MH services (screening, referring, diagnosing, initiating treatment, and implementing treatment maintenance). Nationally, across all specialties, significant proportions of PAs engage in these activities at least weekly: 49.0% screen, 35.0% refer, 30.6% diagnose, 27.8% initiate treatment, and 30.0% implement treatment maintenance. Importantly, MH service provision varied significantly by rural-urban setting and underresourced areas (both p 0.001). PAs in rural areas had higher rates of screening (61.9% vs. 47.9%), referring (41.8% vs. 34.5%), diagnosing (44.7% vs. 29.4%), initiating treatment (41.2% vs. 26.7%), and implementing treatment maintenance (43.1% vs. 28.9%) compared to those in urban areas. Similarly, PAs practicing in underresourced regions provided these services more often. Most PAs employed in behavioral/MH clinics, community health centers, rural health clinics, school-based or college-based health centers, the federal government, and extended care facilities provide these services. Additionally, PAs who were older, female, racially more diverse, bilingual, and held a doctorate reported higher service provision frequencies. Understanding the MH services delivered by PAs can inform targeted interventions to further expand access to MH care.

Short Description: Amidst a US mental health crisis, this study analyzed a national dataset to quantify physician assistant/associate (PA) engagement in mental health services (screening, referring, diagnosing, initiating treatment, and implementing treatment maintenance). Findings reveal significant PA involvement nationally, with notably higher service provision rates in rural and underresourced areas. Understanding these PA practice patterns can inform targeted strategies to expand access to mental health care.

Name of Sponsoring Organization(s):