Nearly Half of PAs Find the Term 'Mid-Level Provider' Offensive

Survey of 440 PAs uncovers those 45 and older are 23 percent more likely to find the term offensive

PEABODY, Mass. — Barton Associates, the fourth-largest locum tenens staffing agency in the United States with nine offices nationwide, conducted a survey of its network of physician assistants/associates (PAs) to gauge whether they find the term “mid-level provider” offensive.

The questions examined PA sentiment on the term amid recent criticism over the term’s usage. In recent years, the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) has encouraged the discontinuation of using “mid-level provider” to describe PAs, arguing that the term is antiquated and offensive. The survey revealed that 45% of respondent PAs find the term “mid-level provider” offensive. 

The survey indicated that PAs aged 45 and older are 23% more likely than PAs aged 25–44 to find the term “mid-level provider” offensive.