Foundation Programs
Physician-PA Teams Project

Health care providers’ ability to work effectively together in a team-based approach to patient care has never been more important. We believe that the physician-PA partnership is an invaluable and integral part of our health care delivery system and that the development of more, highly effective teams could be pivotal to the future success of our nation’s health care system. But in today’s fast-paced environment, how do the most successful physician-PA teams make their practice work?

In partnership with the American Academy of PAs, the NCCPA Foundation produced “Shaping Great Physician-PA Teams,” an award-winning documentary that brings to life how five great physician-PA teams work together.

Watch the Video!

The teams featured in “Shaping Great Physician-PA Teams” embody five key success factors identified during an earlier Foundation study:

1. Shared Priorities: The members of the most successful PA-physician teams have similar practice priorities. Some may describe this as a shared commitment to providing the highest quality care possible, even at the expense of personal time and reward. Others may describe a commitment to providing cost-effective care to those who would otherwise go without it. Still others may be motivated by a desire to increase the health literacy of their patient population. Whatever the case, it’s important for the physician and PA to share the same priorities.


2. Frequent & Effective Communication: The members of the most successful PA-physician teams communicate with each other frequently and effectively. In fact, many cite this as the single most important factor in their success.


3. Physician Accessibility & Approachability: The physician must be accessible and approachable so that the PA knows he or she can always turn to the physician for help when needed. The physician must create a safe environment for the PA to ask questions, embodying the belief that, “There are no stupid questions.”


4. Consistency of the Delivery of Patient Care: The PA must adapt to the physician’s practice style by either emulating it or, with the physician’s knowledge and encouragement, complementing it so that patients receive consistent care and messages when they’re seeing either the physician or PA.


5. Mutual Trust & Respect: Both the physician and PA must regard and treat each other with respect and trust. Once earned over time, that trust and respect must be safeguarded by both as it is foundational to the success of the partnership.

Coming Soon: Tools and resources for physicians and PAs interested in exploring any of those five key success factors in greater depth. Email us at foundation@paexcellence.org if you’d like to be notified when the Tools and Resources are available online or to request a copy of the “Shaping Great Physician-PA Teams” DVD.