The PA Advantage: Smarter Utilization of the Providers We Already Have

This video addresses the misconception of a provider shortage, framing it instead as a utilization issue. Dr. Kolb discusses outdated barriers that restrict PAs and provides evidence that removing these can enhance patient access and care quality. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing PAs effectively to maximize healthcare resources.

Key Takeaways:

America doesn’t just have a provider shortage; it’s also experiencing underutilization caused by outdated laws and policies.
PAs drive productivity and create significant value for health systems.
Modernizing PA practice laws will improve access and efficiency and enable PAs to be deployed quickly in times of crisis.

Previous Video Next Video

Speaker

Click on the photo below to learn more about the speaker.

Jennifer M. Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

References and Additional Resources:

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) & The Harris Poll. (2023). The patient experience: Perspectives on today’s healthcare system. https://www.aapa.org/download/113513/?tmstv=1684243672

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). (2019, June). Report to the Congress: Medicare and the health care delivery system. https://www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/import_data/scrape_files/docs/default-source/reports/jun19_medpac_reporttocongress_sec.pdf

Castronovo, D., Morden, N. E., Colla, C. H., et al. (2022). The cost-effectiveness of physician assistants/associates: A systematic review of international evidence. PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0259183. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259183

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Physician assistants: Occupational outlook handbook [Employment projections data]. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). General physicians and surgeons: Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm

Laslett, L. J., et al. (2012). The worldwide environment of cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 60(Suppl S25), S1–S49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.002

Supported by

Jennifer M. Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Jennifer M. Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the interim Executive Director of the PA Foundation (the philanthropic arm of AAPA).

Dr. Kolb has served as a volunteer leader, patient advocate, and change agent of the PA profession and all of healthcare for more than 20 years. She has held multiple leadership positions at both the state and national levels and is the former president and chair of the AAPA board of directors. She is a strong advocate for health equity and improving patient care access and a champion of healthcare advocacy efforts on both the state and federal levels. She is an accomplished speaker, published author, and Op-Ed scholar.