Comparing Physician Associate/Assistant and Comparable Online and Hybrid Training Programs – A Global Perspective

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Published May 29, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i5.6553

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Main Article Content

Tom Colletti, DHSc, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA
Professor at the Doctor of Medical Science, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Scott Smalley, MScPAS, PGDHSE, PA-C, Clinical Associate
Past President of the International Academy of Physician Associate Educators; South Africa National LOOOP Network Coordinator; Honorary Lecturer with Division of Clinical Associates, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, based in Cape Town, South Africa
Mirela Bruza-Augatis, MS, PA-C
Research Scientist at the National Commission on Certification of PAs, Johns Creek, Georgia, and an Adjunct Faculty at the Department of Physician Assistant, Seton Hall University, Nutley, New Jersey.
Peter Heistermann, MD
Professor at the Fliedner University of Applied Sciences and the Chairman/President of the German University Association of Physician Assistants in Cologne, Germany.
Daniela Becker, MD
Professor at the IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Erfurt, Germany. She is neurosurgeon and specialist for neurological/neurosurgical intensive care medicine at Kurpfalzkrankenhaus, Heidelberg, Germany.
Alias Mahmud, DMA, DHScEd, BchHSc, MEd, PhD
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technology and Applied Sciences, Open University Malaysia.
Nurhan Norris Ma, DMA, AEMTC, BScEmMed, MDRM
Program Director and lecturer in the Faculty of Technology and Applied Sciences, Open University Malaysia
James R. Kilgore, DMSc, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA
Associate Professor in the PA, MHA, DEL and DMSc programs at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lynchburg, in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Lumbani Tshotetsi, DCM, BSc HSE, PGD PH, MSc Epi
Lecturer in the Clinical Associate Program, Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Laura Juarez, DPA, PA-C, MPAS, MPH
President of La Academia de Asociados Médicos de Puerto Rico (AAMPR), founding Academic Coordinator of PA program at San Juan Bautista in Caguas, PR, Assistant Professor at Touro University, Dorado, Puerto Rico.
David Fahringer, MSPH, PA-C
Emeritus, is the prior Director of Academic Residence Program, Department of Physician Assistant, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Mary Showstark, PhD, PA-C, FAWM
Adjunct Assistant Professor at Yale Online Physician Assistant Program, New Haven, Connecticut.

Abstract

As the number of online and hybrid Physician Associate/Assistant (PA) and PA-comparable programs continues to grow, understanding their curriculum and structure becomes increasingly important. This review examines four representative programs from the United States, Germany, and Malaysia, offering insights into their educational models. Primary faculty members from these institutions provided narrative reviews, highlighting both similarities and differences. There are representative samples of entry level to post-professional doctoral level programs included in this review.


Results of the reviews indicate common challenges such as technological requirements and fostering a sense of academic community. However, notable distinctions were found in admission standards, program duration, and curriculum structure. Given the limited scope of this review, comparing two U.S. programs and one each from Germany and Malaysia further research is needed. Continued analysis of online and hybrid PA/PA-comparable programs can offer valuable guidance for newly developing programs, ensuring high-quality education and clinical competency.

Keywords: Online, Hybrid, PA, Physician Associate/Assistant, PA-Comparable, Educational Programs

Article Details

How to Cite
COLLETTI, Tom et al. Comparing Physician Associate/Assistant and Comparable Online and Hybrid Training Programs – A Global Perspective. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 5, may 2025. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6553>. Date accessed: 20 june 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i5.6553.
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Issue
Vol 13 No 5 (2025): Vol.13, Issue 5, May 2025
Section
Research Articles

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