A major challenge for Colorado’s health care system is the lack of qualified providers to meet the primary health care needs of its residents, particularly those living in rural and other underserved communities. To that end, CHI is conducting a study of physician assistants (PAs) to better understand the PA workforce in Colorado and examine their participation in the health care delivery system.

CHI is collaborating with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) to produce a report using the AAPA Census Survey Data from 2005 and 2006. CHI will analyze the survey findings, conduct a literature review and synthesis, and interview key informants to determine trends, practice characteristics, obstacles and policy issues related to PAs.