The Physician Assistant Clinical Doctorate: One Medical Directorʼs Opinion

4. The PA profession should explore the development of a model for advanced standing for PAs who desire to become physicians (sometimes called a “bridge program”). Since medical directors at Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) programs have a keen interest in the format and conduct of PA education, it seemed appropriate to me to comment in this column on this significant development. I invite comment and conversation on this issue from my medical director colleagues as well. A recent survey by Coplan et al of Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, summarized elsewhere in this issue,2 reveals an overall negative opinion on the part of PA program medical directors regarding the issue of any doctorate for PAs. I have to say this had reflected my own opinion as well, until recently. However, participating in the summit has given me a deeper understanding of the various facets of this issue. I would like to share here some of this different perspective the summit has afforded me with other medical directors and PA faculty who were not able to be there. Prior to attending the summit, this was a fairly black-and-white issue in my mind. I had no doubt where I stood on the issue. Since the summit, I have been persuaded that at least the postgraduate clinical doctorate for PAs has some merit — with certain caveats as described in the summit recommendations. What I have also come to appreciate is that clearly, there are good people on both sides of the issue who believe passionately in the validity of their reasons for supporting or opposing a PA clinical doctorate. I am encouraged that both groups have in common that they care deeply about the future of the PA This feature is intended to provide a forum for the sharing of ideas on the role of medical directors in PA programs. Authors desiring to contribute to Medical Director Dialogue should forward submissions to: