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Physician assistants have been around longer than many realize – in fact, the first group of PAs graduated the Duke University Physician Assistant program in 1967. This uniquely American group of healthcare professionals gained acceptance as a creative solution to the physician shortage.
The physician shortage continues to put a strain on hospitals and other healthcare organizations, unfortunately, creating a greater need for PAs. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that the number of jobs for PAs will rise 28 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than average for all occupations. BLS projects about 12,900 job openings per year for PAs, driven largely by workers who leave the profession or retire.
Over the decades, the number of PAs has risen dramatically, and the types of care they provide have expanded. PAs now tackle tasks once performed only by physicians – and do it with more autonomy than ever before. In fact, physician assistants and nurse practitioners now handle about one-fourth of all health visits.
Ever-expanding job duties, on-the-job stress, and long hours can affect work-life balance in ways that lead to burnout, depression, and even high turnover rates.
PA Turnover Rates are High
About two-thirds of PAs feel burned out, depressed, or both burned out and depressed, according to a Medscape study. Burnout rate among PAs is comparable to that of physicians and other healthcare workers. Many say that too many hours at work and a lack of control contribute to their burnout.
Poor control over their schedule also play a significant role in PA burnout and turnover rates. The typical Physician Assistant works the standard 40 hours a week. Depending on their specialty, PAs may need to cover evening, night, or weekend shifts; some have to be on call.
Despite the long hours and heavy patient loads that PAs carry, they are enthusiastic about their profession and show tremendous resilience. Great scheduling software can help PAs remain at the jobs they love.
Physician Assistant Scheduling Software to Reduce PA Burnout and Turnover Rates
Scheduling software helps give Physician Assistants greater control over their work schedule, which can help reduce PA burnout and decrease turnover rates. Physician scheduling software provides a number of benefits to Physician Assistants, such as streamlined shift scheduling, reduced administrative headaches, enhanced efficiency, and even improved patient experience.
ByteBloc offers versatile, fast, and reliable scheduling software that Physician Assistants love. PAs can classify shifts as Prefer, Desire, Dislike, or Conflicts, for example, and print schedules that actually look like calendars. ByteBloc also offers 24x7 online and mobile access to Physician Assistants’ personalized schedules, reminders, automatic notification of the publishing of schedules, and so much more. These features put PAs back in control over their schedules and restore work-life balance in ways that reduce burnout, depression, and turnover rates.
For more information on how scheduling software can improve the work lives of Physician Assistants, consult with ByteBloc. We specialize in emergency medicine scheduling, but offer shift scheduling for other providers. Our scheduling software is stable, innovative, and forward-thinking, and can help PAs and the organizations that employ them. ByteBloc’s PA scheduling software can help provide your healthcare organization with the consistency and reliability that Physician Assistants need for the perfect work-life balance.
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