PAs working in critical care and the risk of burnout

According to an article from the AAPA titled "Critical Care PAs on the Rise" (see full article below), an excerpt from the article notes:

Intensive Work, Higher Burnout

With the demands of the ICU setting, critical care PAs reported longer hours (41.8 hours per week on average) and were twice as likely to hold more than one clinical job (20.6% vs. 11.2%).

Burnout continues to be a significant issue, with 38.5% of individuals reporting symptoms, which is higher compared to other specialties.

Still, most are satisfied with their work.

More than 84% said they are happy in their current position and only 10% are planning to leave within a year.

“While it’s encouraging to see PAs stepping into critical care in greater numbers, the burnout data is a clear signal that sustainable work environments must be prioritized,” said Kozikowski, Senior Director of Research at NCCPA. “While the data shows younger PAs entering the discipline, there’s risk of losing them if support systems don’t keep pace with demand.”

In my experience, younger PAs are the least likely to admit to feeling burned out. This can stem from fears of not appearing knowledgeable enough, "imposter syndrome", fears of losing their job, and not knowing who they can safely speak to about their feelings.

If you’re a healthcare professional feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or thinking about a career shift — I get it. I’ve been there. As a certified professional coach and experienced PA, I help clinicians like you navigate burnout and build a path forward. If you're ready to explore coaching, send me a message — I’m here to support you.

reinventulifecoaching@gmail.com

#healthcarecoaching #physicianassistant #physicianassociate #lifecoach

Critical Care PAs on the Rise

A growing number of Board Certified PAs are choosing critical care medicine, according to a new study that offers a clear picture of who they are, where they work and what they face.

Published in Critical Care Explorations, the study based on NCCPA data found that 2,561 PAs, about 2% of the profession, reported working in critical care as of 2023.

That represents a 141% increase since 2015.

The study, “Physician Assistants/Associates in Critical Care: A Descriptive Analysis Using the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Dataset,” was authored by Ryan W. Hunton, DHSc, PA-C; Dalton C. Gifford, DMSc, PA-C; Kasey K. Puckett, MPH; Mirela Bruza-Augatis, Ph.D., PA-C; Andrzej Kozikowski, Ph.D. and Virginia L. Valentin, DrPH, PA-C.

“Even though critical care PAs make up a small portion of the profession, their numbers have steadily grown as demand for intensive care rises across the U.S.,” said Bruza-Augatis, an NCCPA Research Scientist.

Younger and Highly Trained

The report profiles critical care PAs as younger than their peers in other specialties, with a mean age of 37.5 and more likely to be male (34.8%) compared to PAs in other disciplines.

Nearly all (97.7%) work in urban areas, and they are concentrated in the Northeast and South.

Most hold a master’s degree (87.5%). Nearly one in five (16.1%) completed a postgraduate training program, which is three times the rate of PAs in other specialties.

That training appears to pay off.

Critical care PAs earn an average of $137,793 annually, about $14,000 more than PAs working in other disciplines.

Intensive Work, Higher Burnout

With the demands of the ICU setting, critical care PAs reported longer hours (41.8 hours per week on average) and were twice as likely to hold more than one clinical job (20.6% vs. 11.2%).

Burnout continues to be a significant issue, with 38.5% of individuals reporting symptoms, which is higher compared to other specialties.

Still, most are satisfied with their work.

More than 84% said they are happy in their current position and only 10% are planning to leave within a year.

“While it’s encouraging to see PAs stepping into critical care in greater numbers, the burnout data is a clear signal that sustainable work environments must be prioritized,” said Kozikowski, Senior Director of Research at NCCPA. “While the data shows younger PAs entering the discipline, there’s risk of losing them if support systems don’t keep pace with demand.”

Filling a Critical Gap

The expansion of PAs in critical care reflects broader changes in the U.S. health care workforce. Due to an aging population, increasing ICU admissions, and a shortage of critical care physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), which include PAs and NPs, are becoming integral to ICU care delivery.

Nearly 80% of ICUs now report staffing APPs, according to previous studies. PAs perform a wide range of duties in these settings, including patient assessments, prescribing medications, managing ventilators and performing procedures.

“Team-based care in ICUs is becoming the standard,” said Bruza-Augatis, a Research Scientist at NCCPA. “PAs are helping fill gaps in coverage, improving care coordination and expanding access to critical care services.”

Regional Gaps and Opportunities

The study also highlighted areas for improvement.

Despite their growth, critical care PAs are underrepresented in rural areas and the Midwest and West regions.

Just 2.3% of critical care PAs work in rural settings, where access to intensive care is already limited.

Looking Ahead

As the discipline continues to evolve, postgraduate training programs are expected to play a role in preparing PAs for the demands of critical care. With more than 60 such programs in existence and growing interest among new graduates, the PA profession may see continued growth in both numbers and specialized expertise.

The study also calls for more research into burnout and retention, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified the emotional and physical demands on ICU teams.

Despite the challenges, most critical care PAs report strong job satisfaction.

“Understanding what supports this satisfaction,” Kozikowski said, “even in a high-stress environment, could help health systems retain talent and improve patient care.”