Should you become a PA [physician assistant/associate] or MD/DO [physician, medical doctor]?

I was recently asked by a premed whether she should pursue PA school or medical school, so I was inspired to make a video about it!

PA = physician assistant/associate [there has been a recent push to change the name]. PA school is generally 24-27 months long and in order to practice medicine, PAs must take a certification exam [PANCE]. Course pre-requisites for PA school are similar to medical school, but the expectation for PA schools is ~2,000 of medical exposure/experience [which is much more than for medical school].

A couple of advantages/disadvantages:
Advantages
▸ Shorter time in school [there are also combined BS/MS programs so school is only 5 years instead of a total of 6]
▸ Overall cheaper tuition [especially since time in school is shorter]
▸ On the job training [no need for residency & this also means you start making money earlier]
▸ Ability to change specialties
▸ Great job market
▸ Always part of a team

Disadvantages
▸ Salaries may not align with other advanced practice providers [e.g. NPs]
▸ Income potential might be a bit lower; there's a plateau in salary
▸ Must work with physician
▸ Public/patient understanding of PA role can be limited

I go into much more detail about these pros/cons of the PA route versus physician in the video. I'd love to hear your thoughts/questions below in the comments!

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[marleneamaya]

Simply AMAZING!! I learned much in one 15 video than I've learned in my own research. You touched on points that I had not thought of. Thank you so much!!!!

[diamondgarcia]

I’m a PA student about to graduate in about a month and I think the video is very well said!

[cookiesalmcgamer]

Great job describing the PA profession! Awesome video

[Dylan-jndq]

Also guys I believe there is this thing called locum tenens, where in addition to working in your regular workplace for like 40 hrs regularly every week you can work for a completely different practice in overtime which You increase your salary significantly by doing this and be able to work in multiple specialty at once. A great option if you are willing to hustle and put in the work. Especially as a PA you will have less responsibility than a doctor so it shouldn’t be that bad. Depending on the specialty and location you can be making easily over 220k+ doing this method.

[topplayer]

Thank you, Dr. Xi. You are helping me write my personal statement

[marybethsingh]

I thought about going to PA school but decided on NP school. Glad I did, pay is significantly higher as an NP than PA especially at the mghbrigham. Although I recommend to nurses to consider CRNA school.

[a.i]

Hi Dr.Xi!! I’m a high school student still thinking about different career paths. I’m leaning toward PA/AA. I might change my mind later though, but thanks for your help!

[yohickey]

I'm a practicing PA and the flexibility can be concurrent. I work in emergency medicine and urgent care but plan to work part-time in ortho, family medicine, or the public health realm.

[yewin]

I am graduated PA five year medical program in Burma (Kawthoolei), Our PA Earth Mission Asia medical program from US supporter but the training is like a MD.

[littyyachty]

Hi Dr. Xi, appreciate the informative video. Any recommendations for PAs wanting to go to medical school? About to graduate PA school in a few months, and been having ongoing thoughts about going to medical school. Currently just 25 years old so I do have some time to think about pursuing more school. I know it's uncommon but wanted to hear your thoughts, thanks!

[jakepaucarpura]

I’m currently stuck between MD vs PA school. I have wanted to be a doctor since I started high school and lost the vision for it during COVID. I finally realized I want to continue in the medical field but feel like I’m too old to go for Med school. I am currently 22 years old. I just keep getting told that Med school is going to be horrible and that I won’t like it. Idk what to choose at this point. I don’t want to regret not going to Med school if I do choose the PA route. Any advice ? I honestly just want to talk to someone who is experienced in the fields.

[firstlast]

One of the things I am struggling with on making my decision: if you are a pa interested in working in surgery, don’t you have to work the about the same hours as a MD? I only wonder about this since I’ve heard you have better work/life balance as a pa but it seems if you are in surgery you don’t have that option.

[earthlingaves]

What would it look like being a PA and going into medical school? What is the typical route/steps to take?

[AndrewGuyton-fqje]

How and where does one work during school?

[anjus]

Do PA have to renew their licence every 4 years

[miriamcastellon]

Hi doctor! I am currently on the path to becoming a PA, I’m still working on my bachelors as health science major. However, I work at a pediatrics clinic and the doctor sort of hinted that I chose the wrong career and that Nurse practitioners s are better than PA’s so now I feel like I’ve made the wrong choice.