Physician assistants in the United States are split over whether they prefer using "physician assistant" or "physician associate" as their title, according to a survey conducted by locum tenens staffing agency Barton Associates.
The survey polled 276 PAs within the agency to determine whether the change made by the American Academy of Physician Associates from "assistant" to "associate" in 2021 has caught on among the profession.
The split was near even, with 51 percent favoring "physician associate" and 49 percent preferring "physician assistant." Those who favored "assistant" attributed it to what has been used historically, while those who preferred "associate" said it more accurately describes their role.