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A year after the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) announced that it would change the official title of the PA profession from physician assistant to physician associate, the academy is still recommending that its members continue using the old title, according to the organization's .

"Changing the profession's title is a long-term process," an AAPA spokesperson told MedPage Today in an email. "Title change implementation is a complex undertaking that involves a variety of stakeholders -- not only other national PA organizations and AAPA constituent organizations -- but also state and federal governments, regulators, and employers."

The academy is working to implement the title change in two primary ways, the spokesperson said. The first is to use the title internally by updating the name of the AAPA and other local PA organizations. For example, the academy has now legally changed its name to "American Academy of Physician Associates, Inc." The second approach is to advocate for legislative changes on the state and federal levels -- a plan that will take time to accomplish, according to the academy.

The academy voted to change the name of the profession from physician assistant to physician associate at the May 2021 annual meeting. The decision came after a years-long process that involved research into the financial and legal ramifications of the change and a survey of 7,000 PAs, approximately 600 patients, 125 physicians, and 120 employers. The effort resulted in the decision to start the long process of changing the profession's official title.

That decision was met with opposition from several physician groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA). The physician organization was reportedly concerned with the confusion the change would create for patients. It was also reported that the AMA and the American Osteopathic Association saw the change as a move to increase the scope of practice for PAs, who are legally required to have a standing agreement with a physician in order to practice.

In addition to a physician partnership, PAs must also have a masters level education that includes over 2 years of classroom education and over 2,000 clinical hours in several different specialties. After PAs complete their training and licensing process they are authorized to perform a range of responsibilities from diagnosing and treating patients to prescribing medication and assisting in surgery.

Shortly after the announcement of the name change, the AAPA released a letter that stressed the academy's commitment to continue collaborating with physicians in a "patient-centered, team-based medical practice." At the time, AAPA CEO Lisa Gables, CPA, said the change was meant to provide clarity rather than confusion because the new title is a better description of the role and responsibilities of PAs.

The academy will continue to recommend that its members use physician assistant or PA until the jurisdiction that governs a member's license and practice formally adopts the physician associate title. The academy said this recommendation is especially important when PAs interact with patients in a clinical setting.

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