The black physician’s assistant: Problems and prospects

This is a report on a study of the social origins, attitudes, and anticipated practice settings of black and white recruits to the physician’s assistant occupation. Recruits are generally representative of the larger black and white communities in their values; however, black recruits are more likely than their white counterparts to value the status, income, and stability perceived to be associated with the occupation. At the same time, blacks are more likely to favor national health insurance and to look forward to servicing the poor. These liberal social attitudes and the finding that blacks are more likely than whites to desire to practice in ghetto areas provide some support for affirmative action policies in dealing with the health manpower needs of medically underserviced areas.