Entry-Level Doctoral Degree Research Abstracts Now Available
In 2019, a resolution came to the floor at the PAEA Business Meeting to discuss and potentially endorse the clinical doctorate as the entry-level degree for the PA profession. This motion was referred to our Board of Directors for further investigation.
The Board felt that the Association’s decision should be informed through a multi-step process involving various stakeholders. Step 1 was a funded opportunity for five individuals/teams to incentivize new research related to the impact of doctoral entry-level degrees in health professions.
Step 2 includes you, our members. The Board values your voices and feedback, and to ensure that your thoughts are heard, PAEA is facilitating two opportunities to bring our membership in to engage in the process. Recently, we launched the Entry-Level Doctoral Degree Discussion PLC* where you can share your reflections on this topic. And on September 10 from 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET, we are hosting a “Hot Topics” Town Hall where you will hear from PAEA Board President Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, and PAEA CEO Mary Jo Bondy, DHEd, MHS, PA-C, as well as a member from each of the five research teams.
The research teams have now completed their work, and in advance of the town hall, we are sharing the abstracts of their findings on the Digital Learning Hub. We encourage you to take the time to review their findings and attend the town hall ready to hear more from each team as well as contribute to the dialogue surrounding how an alternative entry-level credential may affect the profession.
Taking into consideration the research findings and member feedback, the Board will move into Step 3 of developing a policy recommendation. The final step will be for PAEA to engage in facilitated discussions with our sister organizations (AAPA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA) at the cross-org meeting later this month. Following the completion of each step, the Board will formulate a formal recommendation that will be voted on at the 2020 Business Meeting.
We encourage you to continue the discussion in the PLC and to register for the town hall. We hope you will join us and the Board of Directors as we continue to examine this important topic for the PA profession. If you have any questions, please contact abray@PAEAonline.org.
*Members can access the DLH and PLC by signing into their Member Community account. For technical assistance, please contact memberships@PAEAonline.org.
