Physician assistants try to change their title

Kaiser Health News reported on a brewing battle between physician assistants and doctors. Many physician assistants want to change their title to not include "assistant" anymore, instead preferring the title "physician associate." Some physician assistants argue that "assistant" is a misnomer because they frequently operate without direct oversight. Physician groups are concerned that members of the public might mistake "physician associate" as a "junior doctor."

Both groups seem to have good points. One advantage for physician assistants to be known as "physician associates" is that the abbreviation for their credential does not need to change. However, "associate" might blur the distinction between the two groups (physicians typically undergo a four-year medical school program in addition to a residency, whereas physician assistants tend train for two to three years) and many physicians are understandably keen to maintain a clear distinction between the groups in the public's understanding. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers and regulators will adopt the name change.