2 answers
John
Student
Gainesville, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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How rewarding is being a PA vs a medical doctor?
Under what circumstances or lifestyle preferences would you make a recommendation for one of those tracks over the other? I've been considering both and I want as much information for consideration as possible to aid in my decision-making.
#healthcare #medicine #doctor #pa
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2 answers
Melina Fernandez Brandt
Physician
6
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Melina’s Answer
Hi John,
Physicians assistants do not go to medical school, so their schooling is shorter and their student loan burden is less. A medical doctor spends 4 years in college and 4 years in medical school and then they do residency, so they spend at least 11 years in their education. A PA spends 24 to 27 months in school after college. They have many options once they graduate and can work in many fields. In most states they have to work under a physician’s supervision. Their workload is less than of a physician. They work with patients and help people like doctors do.
Now when it comes to how rewarding it is, that will depend on what you like and what you find rewarding. If you are hoping to do surgeries for example, a PA can’t perform the surgical procedure but they can assist the surgeon. So I would say it is very rewarding to be a PA. It has some limitations but it might also be less stressful than being a physician.
Hope this helps
Physicians assistants do not go to medical school, so their schooling is shorter and their student loan burden is less. A medical doctor spends 4 years in college and 4 years in medical school and then they do residency, so they spend at least 11 years in their education. A PA spends 24 to 27 months in school after college. They have many options once they graduate and can work in many fields. In most states they have to work under a physician’s supervision. Their workload is less than of a physician. They work with patients and help people like doctors do.
Now when it comes to how rewarding it is, that will depend on what you like and what you find rewarding. If you are hoping to do surgeries for example, a PA can’t perform the surgical procedure but they can assist the surgeon. So I would say it is very rewarding to be a PA. It has some limitations but it might also be less stressful than being a physician.
Hope this helps
Michelle Marotta
Certified Life Coach
376
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
My experience is as a patient but I can say that many times, I have preferred a PA over an MD because PA's seem to be more relaxed and spend more time with the patient. I believe it is a very worthwhile career and would like to encourage you to pursue it. I believe that PA's and Nurse Practitioners both have medical school but not the internship. Find out all you can and make a decision based on as much information as possible. Best wishes to you in your future !