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How do I determine if I want to go through with med school or switch to PA or something else?
I know I want to go into medicine, I am very passionate about helping people and sports medicine. I am also very entrepreneurial so owning a business is something I want in my future. #Spring26
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4 answers
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Kevin,
I'm a primary care internal medicine PA with undergraduate studies in sports and health sciences. I'm also from Australia and wasn't aware of the PA profession until after moving to the U.S., and had always thought going to medical school was the only way to learn and practice medicine. Almost a decade on, I'm glad I chose to become a PA instead on the balance of things. One of the biggest appeals of going to PA school was the relative brevity of training without compromising on the rigor, and this meant that I was able to start practicing several years sooner than I would have if I had decided to go to medical school instead. As a point of clarification, the notion of PAs working "under the supervision" of any other profession doesn't reflect how clinical PAs practice in today's interdisciplinary healthcare teams. On the ground, PAs practice in 'collaboration' with other members of the healthcare teams, and this is reflected in my current practice. Practice laws haven't kept up with how fast the PA profession has adapted and evolved since its inception about 6 decades ago, so I have confidence that they'll eventually catch up.
Let me share with you a link to a very comprehensive blog by a fellow PA, that is relevant to pre-PAs, PA students, and PAs alike:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
I'm a primary care internal medicine PA with undergraduate studies in sports and health sciences. I'm also from Australia and wasn't aware of the PA profession until after moving to the U.S., and had always thought going to medical school was the only way to learn and practice medicine. Almost a decade on, I'm glad I chose to become a PA instead on the balance of things. One of the biggest appeals of going to PA school was the relative brevity of training without compromising on the rigor, and this meant that I was able to start practicing several years sooner than I would have if I had decided to go to medical school instead. As a point of clarification, the notion of PAs working "under the supervision" of any other profession doesn't reflect how clinical PAs practice in today's interdisciplinary healthcare teams. On the ground, PAs practice in 'collaboration' with other members of the healthcare teams, and this is reflected in my current practice. Practice laws haven't kept up with how fast the PA profession has adapted and evolved since its inception about 6 decades ago, so I have confidence that they'll eventually catch up.
Let me share with you a link to a very comprehensive blog by a fellow PA, that is relevant to pre-PAs, PA students, and PAs alike:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
Updated
Karim’s Answer
That’s a really important question—and it’s completely normal to feel unsure at this stage. You’re not choosing just a degree, you’re choosing a lifestyle, a pace of training, and the kind of impact you want to have.
Here’s a simple way to think it through:
1. Picture your day-to-day life (not just the title)
Try to imagine what your actual workday would look like. Physicians (MDs) usually have more responsibility, longer training, and often more demanding schedules. Physician Assistants (PAs) work closely with doctors, have shorter training, and often more flexibility. Ask yourself: Which lifestyle fits me better long-term?
2. Consider how much training you’re ready for
Medical school + residency can take 7–10+ years. PA programs are usually 2–3 years after your undergraduate degree. Neither is “better”—it depends on how much time and intensity you’re willing to invest.
3. Think about responsibility and decision-making
Do you want to be the final decision-maker in patient care, or do you prefer a collaborative role where you still treat patients but share responsibility? Both paths are meaningful, just different in scope.
4. Get real exposure
If possible, shadow a doctor and a PA, or talk to people in both roles. Hearing honest experiences can quickly clarify what fits you.
5. Check your motivation
Ask yourself: Why did I consider medicine in the first place?
Passion for diagnosis and leadership in care → MD might fit
Passion for patient care with flexibility and balance → PA could be a great option
6. Know that switching is okay
Choosing PA or another path isn’t “giving up” on med school—it’s choosing what aligns best with your goals, energy, and life priorities.
At the end of the day, the “right” choice is the one that matches who you are, not just what sounds impressive. Take your time, explore, and don’t be afraid to change direction as you learn more.
Here’s a simple way to think it through:
1. Picture your day-to-day life (not just the title)
Try to imagine what your actual workday would look like. Physicians (MDs) usually have more responsibility, longer training, and often more demanding schedules. Physician Assistants (PAs) work closely with doctors, have shorter training, and often more flexibility. Ask yourself: Which lifestyle fits me better long-term?
2. Consider how much training you’re ready for
Medical school + residency can take 7–10+ years. PA programs are usually 2–3 years after your undergraduate degree. Neither is “better”—it depends on how much time and intensity you’re willing to invest.
3. Think about responsibility and decision-making
Do you want to be the final decision-maker in patient care, or do you prefer a collaborative role where you still treat patients but share responsibility? Both paths are meaningful, just different in scope.
4. Get real exposure
If possible, shadow a doctor and a PA, or talk to people in both roles. Hearing honest experiences can quickly clarify what fits you.
5. Check your motivation
Ask yourself: Why did I consider medicine in the first place?
Passion for diagnosis and leadership in care → MD might fit
Passion for patient care with flexibility and balance → PA could be a great option
6. Know that switching is okay
Choosing PA or another path isn’t “giving up” on med school—it’s choosing what aligns best with your goals, energy, and life priorities.
At the end of the day, the “right” choice is the one that matches who you are, not just what sounds impressive. Take your time, explore, and don’t be afraid to change direction as you learn more.
Updated
Nathalye’s Answer
Try talking to PAs who work in sports medicine. Shadowing them can be a great way to learn about the career. Also, look into the differences between medical school and PA school programs. Most PA programs last 2-3 years, with one year of clinical rotations.
Updated
James’s Answer
The courses you need to take, and the grades and test scores you need to maintain high, are the same for MD/DO or PA. If you want to run your own business, being a physician gives you a significant advantage. I would argue that you will have more opportunities for entrepreneurship and creative patient care as a physician. A PA is a wonderful career, but PAs only can treat patients under the supervision of a physician. PAs do, however, make good money with less training and generally a bit less liability and stress.