More evidence that PAs are in demand

Physician Assistants (PA) were among the most-placed healthcare providers last year, based on hiring activity from over 200 hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide, according to an annual report from the Medicus Firm. The percentage of rural placements, female physicians, and DOs also increased nationally. The Medicus Firm releases its annual provider placement summary report to track employers' hiring habits and monitor existing and emerging trends in physician recruiting and the healthcare workforce.

Placements of DOs continued to increase, from 6.25% in 2010, to 8.75% in 2013. Placements of practicing physicians also rose: Nearly 67% of all physicians placed in 2013 were experienced physicians, while only 33% of searches were filled with new physicians coming directly out of training—down from 40% in 2011.

Other notable trends include:

• Placements of physicians in rural areas (areas with populations of less than 25,000) increased from 30.9% percent in 2012 to 41.3% in 2013.
• Placements of female physicians increased from 26.2% in 2010 to 38.6% in 2013.
• The top three specialties placed were family practice, hospitalists, and internists, in that order.
• OB-GYN and pediatrics dropped out of the top 10 most-placed specialties.
• Gastroenterologists were new to the top 10 specialties placed in 2013.

Source: PR Newswire