Physician assistants say paperwork and AI training still lag

The numbers behind a recent physician assistant survey read like a split-screen of modern practice: near-universal confidence in patient care, paired with lingering strain from documentation demands and the fast-moving scramble to set real rules for AI use.

In an interview about the findings, Kelly Villella, director of Medical Education & Medical Practice at Wolters Kluwer Health, said little in the results was “shocking,” but the contrast was telling: 96% of respondents felt confident interacting with patients, yet about 20% felt less prepared for documentation, and 87% said they still need more AI training as usage rises.

Physicians Practice: When you read this report, what felt most familiar, and what surprised you?

Kelly Villella: Nothing was extremely shocking, but the results were a helpful reminder that physician associates are grappling with many of the same challenges as professionals across health care, and even other industries, during this technical revolution with AI. Physician associates expressed extreme confidence. What employee survey can any of us find where 96% feel really confident to interact with patients? There was also a lot of confidence on documentation, although about 20% didn’t feel as prepared when it came to documentation.

What’s most interesting and stands out, but isn’t surprising; is that although their use of AI is growing, 87% still feel like they need more AI training. And I think that’s true across a lot of health care and other professions. AI is changing so rapidly; people are trying to keep up. We chose to zero in on PAs specifically because it’s one of the most rapidly growing health care provider professions, transforming health itself; while AI is also transforming health. So it’s an interesting intersection we find in the survey.