Purpose:

Each year the Annual Report on Physician Assistant Educational Programs in the United States provides important data concerning physician assistant (PA) programs, faculty, students, and graduates. While data on faculty salaries are provided, information on benefits is absent. Anecdotally, faculty benefits contribute to job retention and satisfaction over the long term. In order to achieve a better understanding of the range of benefit packages available across a number of PA programs, the authors conducted a review of the literature and produced an online survey.

Methods:

Following approval by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Research Review Committee, an online survey was conducted between March and April 2006. Two e-mails were sent to the directors of the then 136 accredited PA programs asking them to complete an online survey. The survey contained 14 questions dealing with various faculty benefits, including clinical release time, CME, telecommuting, tuition reimbursement, and payment of professional dues.

Results:

A sample of 88 PA program directors responded to the survey, for a 65% response rate.

Conclusions:

PA faculty program directors report that their programs provide a substantial array of employee benefits. Further study is indicated to assess faculty perceptions about their benefits.