Comparing Physician Associate/Assistant and Comparable Online and Hybrid Training Programs – A Global Perspective

As the number of online and hybrid Physician Associate/Assistant (PA) and PA-comparable programs continues to grow, understanding their curriculum and structure becomes increasingly important. This review examines four representative programs from the United States, Germany, and Malaysia, offering insights into their educational models. Primary faculty members from these institutions provided narrative reviews, highlighting both similarities and differences. There are representative samples of entry level to post-professional doctoral level programs included in this review.

Results of the reviews indicate common challenges such as technological requirements and fostering a sense of academic community. However, notable distinctions were found in admission standards, program duration, and curriculum structure. Given the limited scope of this review, comparing two U.S. programs and one each from Germany and Malaysia further research is needed. Continued analysis of online and hybrid PA/PA-comparable programs can offer valuable guidance for newly developing programs, ensuring high-quality education and clinical competency.