Download highlights of the acc physician assistant workforce survey

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACC PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WORKFORCE SURVEY
A workforce survey was conducted in 2012 of Physician Assistants who identified themselves as
practicing in cardiology. The survey consisted of 21 questions on personal, organizational, and
practice demographics as well as the primary component surveying PA scope of practice in
cardiology. Approximately 1000 survey invitations were sent out electronically utilizing membership
databases from the American College of Cardiology and the Association of Physician Assistants in
Cardiology. There were 340 responses with 313 qualifying for participation (31%). This report
highlights key responses to the survey.
1. How long have respondents practiced as PAs and how long in Cardiology?
The largest majority of respondents have been practicing as a PA between 6 – 10 years
(27%). PAs having been in practice over 20 years was 19% and those less than 5 years at
24%. The most common response to years of practice in cardiology was 6-10 years (40%)
with the next highest response was of those with 5 years or less (32%).
2. What was the most common cardiology practice setting PAs practiced in?
Most cardiology PAs practiced in a group practice setting (48%) and a hospital based
practice (33%). PAs in a solo practice setting was at 7%. Most respondents provided both
inpatient and outpatient care (77%) with 11.5% providing outpatient care exclusively and
11.5% providing inpatient care exclusively.
3. What was the most common cardiology sub-specialty practice setting PAs practiced in
(note PAs could have more than one sub-specialty setting response)?
The most common sub-specialty area of practice provided by PAs was General Cardiology
Practice (85%) followed by Heart Failure (75%), Interventional Cardiology (73%), NonInvasive Cardiology (68%), Invasive Cardiology (68%), Electrophysiology (64%), Preventive
Cardiology (59%), and Peripheral Cardiovascular Medicine (58%). 23% of respondents
listed Adult Congenital Cardiology practice (23%) and Pediatric Cardiology (9%) as their
sub-specialty practice area.
4. What was the most common cardiology service PAs specifically provided care for (note PAs
could have more than one clinical service response)?
The most common areas of clinical service provided by PAs was Coronary Artery Disease
(92%), Hypertensive Heart Disease (91%), Heart Failure (90%), Dyslipidemia (86%), Cardiac
Dysrhythmias (85%), Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (72%), Coumadin Management
(56%), Peripheral Vascular Disease (53%), EP device management (30%), Adult Congenital
Heart Disease (18%), and Pediatric Cardiovascular Disease (2%).
5. What are the most common professional organizations Cardiology PAs belong to?
The American Academy of Physician Assistants was the most common response at 79%
followed by the American College of Cardiology (66%) and the Association of Physician
Assistants in Cardiology (22%). Responses for membership in the American Heart
Association were 12% and the Heart Rhythm Society at 7%.
6. What communities do PAs in a cardiology practice provide care?
The most common community setting of a Cardiology PA was suburban (53%) follow by
urban (48%) and rural (15%).
7. How many patients are managed weekly by PAs practicing in cardiology?
The most common number of patients managed weekly by PAs in cardiology was 26-50
patients (39%). The second most common response was managing between 51-75 patients
weekly (30%). 14% of respondents manage 25 or less patients weekly and 11% manage 76 100 patients weekly.
8. What were the most common inpatient duties of PAs practicing in cardiology?
Respondents were provided 18 tasks to choose from and were instructed to mark all that
apply. The most common duties performed were hospital rounds (80%), admission H&P’s
(74%), cardiology consults (72%), discharge summaries (70%), post cardiac procedure
management (46%), supervise exercise stress tests (45%), critical care unit management
(43%), pre cardiac procedure preparation (42%), and emergency room management (37%).
Approximately 31% of Cardiology PAs was involved with education activities and 15% were
involved with research. 26% of respondents had “on-call” responsibilities.
9. What were the most common outpatient duties of PAs practicing in cardiology?
Respondents were provided 17 tasks to choose from and were instructed to mark all that
apply. The most common duties performed were clinic follow up care (79%), medication
titration (75%), patient education (73%), prescription refills (73%), initiate new
cardiovascular medications (73%), new patient consults (49%), supervise exercise stress tests
(49%), supervise Coumadin management (43%), and management of EP devices (25%).
Approximately 29% of cardiology PAs was involved with educational activities and 19% were
involved with research. 13% of respondents performed primary call requiring they see a
patient if needed and 12% had phone-only call.
10. What were the most common procedures PAs were performing in cardiology?
Respondents were provided 15 procedures and to mark all those that they were the primary
clinician. 89 respondents (28%) participated in this question. The most common procedures
performed were aortic balloon pump removal (56%), elective cardioversion (48%), central
line placement (34%), Swan-Ganz placement (26%), right heart cath (23%), temporary pacing
wire placement (22%), aortic balloon pump placement (20%), left heart cath (19%), coronary
angioplasty/stent (15%), peripheral artery angioplasty/stent (11%), permanent pacemaker
placement (9%), trans-esophageal echocardiogram (9%), implantable defibrillator (8%),
implantable loop recorder (8%), and pic-line placement (5%).