The medical field offers so many different branching career paths for students to consider. From patient care to administrative work, there really is something for everyone. However, two of the most popular career paths are without a doubt physician assistant (PA) and doctor of medicine (MD).
If you’re considering one of these paths, you might be wondering what the differences are between them. How long do you have to go to school? What are your daily responsibilities as a PA vs. as an MD? What will your work-life balance look like?
I’m here to give you the answers to all these questions and more so you can make the best decision for your future career!
This post is all about PA vs MD.
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Medical School 101: PA vs MD
The Basics: What Are PAs and MDs?
Both PAs and MDs are licensed medical professionals who work closely with patients to provide diagnoses, treatment, and care. Each can fulfill a variety of roles depending on their training and the circumstances of their position. MDs, for example, can have specialties or subspecialties that allow them to provide more specialized care. PAs will typically collaborate with or work under the supervision of an MD.
How Hard Is PA School vs. MD School?
Both the PA and MD education paths can be quite challenging. However, the PA path is often significantly shorter than the MD path, which means that it may cost less as well.
To become a PA, you must first earn an undergraduate degree, usually in a science-related field like biology or chemistry. Some schools may offer a pre-med or pre-PA program you can follow. Next, you will complete a physician assistant program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Most PA school requirements ask students to have a competitive GPA, a completed record of pre-med science courses, and some degree of paid medical experience. You can quickly and easily earn clinical experience in roles like an EMT, RN, or MA to get ready.
After you’ve completed your PA program, you will then obtain your license by passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) which is offered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Even after obtaining your license, you will have to maintain your certification by earning 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits every two years.
Future MDs will follow a much longer educational path though. After earning an undergraduate degree in a science-related field, students will go on to earn a medical degree from a 4-year accredited medical school. Then, they must complete a residency, which can last anywhere from 3 to 7 years, and obtain their license by passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). They, too, will need to earn a certain amount of CME credits to maintain their license and continuously renew their state certification.
PA vs. MD: Tasks and Responsibilities
Since PAs must work under the supervision of an MD, they cannot practice independently. This means that the responsibilities of a PA differ from those of an MD, but there is also a considerable amount of overlap between the two professions. Many of the day-to-day tasks PAs and MDs complete will be quite similar.
In most cases, PAs will be responsible for diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients as well as prescribing medications. MDs can also do these tasks, but in a larger practice, these tasks will usually be delegated to PAs. The supervising MD will then review and authorize the PAs’ work.
Responsibilities start to differ between PAs and MDs when you consider more complex medical cases. Patients who have complicated conditions that are difficult to diagnose or treat may be passed along to the MD who will have more knowledge than the PA about such conditions. MDs can also perform surgery, while PAs can only assist in surgical procedures.
PA vs. MD: Salary
Since MDs go through more schooling and can practice independently, they will typically earn higher wages than most PAs. There is a ton of variation in MD salaries because different specializations will have different annual incomes. For example, the average annual income for a family medicine physician is $240,790 while the average salary for a cardiologist is $423,250.
For PAs, salary may depend on additional factors such as training and where you work. The average annual salary for PAs comes in around $130,000, but top-earning PAs can expect salaries as high as $170,000 per year.
PA vs. MD: Lifestyle
Practically any career in the medical field will come with some degree of stress. However, PA vs. MD work-life balance is one area where you can find the most difference between the two career paths.
Most PAs work a relatively consistent 9 to 5 schedule each week with occasional overtime hours or night shifts. MDs, on the other hand, are often expected to work more irregular hours, including long overnight shifts.
The traditional work week is usually thought of as 40 hours, but, on average, physicians work between 50 and 59 hours per week with some working more than 60 or even 80 hours. Of course, this can vary depending on where you work and which specialty you chose. However, you should be prepared for longer and stranger hours as a physician.
PA vs. MD: Pros and Cons
Both of the PA and MD professions have their own benefits and limitations that aspiring students should consider before embarking on their educational path. Let’s go over some of the major pros and cons to keep top-of-mind as you make your decisions.
The pros of being a PA include:
- Greater flexibility. Enjoy the freedom to change specialties mid-career without a huge loss or time investment.
- Better work-life balance. Maintain a consistent work schedule or mostly regular hours.
- Less education and training required. PAs spend a significantly shorter amount of time completing their education and training requirements.
The cons of being a PA include:
- Lack of independence. As a PA, you cannot practice independently and must work under the supervision of an MD.
- Less responsibilities. PAs cannot perform surgery on their own and may not be qualified to handle more complex medical conditions without assistance from a physician.
- Lower salary. PAs tend to make less money than physicians.
The pros of being an MD include:
- Independence. Physicians can work in a variety of environments or choose to practice independently.
- Higher salary. MDs tend to have higher salaries.
- More freedom in daily tasks. Physicians can treat more complex medical conditions and perform surgery.
The cons of being an MD include:
- Lots of school. Physicians may need to complete up to 12 years of education and training before they can begin practicing.
- Worse work-life balance. MDs usually work longer shifts and more irregular hours.
Less flexibility. MDs invest a huge amount of time into their training and education, making it more difficult to pivot to another path in the midst of their career.
PA vs. MD: FAQs
Here’s a quick rundown of some frequently asked questions about the difference between PAs and MDs.
How long is PA school vs. MD school?
PA programs are usually around 2 or 3 years in length, so PAs will spend a total of 6 or 7 in training, if you count undergraduate. MDs, on the other hand, must complete a 4-year medical program after undergraduate, followed by a 3 to 7 year residency. That amounts to a total of between 10 and 15 years.
How much is PA school vs. MD school?
The average cost of tuition for PA school ranges from around $70,000 to $90,000 while the cost for medical school can reach as high as $200,000 to $300,000. It’s important to keep in mind that students spend a longer amount of time in medical school, which can be a factor in the cost difference.
Final Thoughts
PA and MD are both satisfying career paths for anyone looking to take a hands-on approach to patient care. I hope this guide helped you learn more about each career and gave you the insight you need to make the best choice for your future.
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