February 2009
PAEA Networker

PAEA Research Institute Issues RFP to Answer Workforce Questions about PAs in Rheumatology

The PAEA Research Institute (RI) is issuing a request for proposals (RFP), Comparison of Rheumatology Practices With and Without Physician Assistant Services. The RFP seeks proposals from qualified researchers for data and analyses that will inform the Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology (SPAR) about differences, if any, between clinical practices that employ physician assistants (PAs) and those that do not.

Members of SPAR, founded in 2002 as a recognized specialty organization of the AAPA, stated that. . .

 

little is known about rheumatology practices and how they are organized. Remarkable changes are taking place in the organization of medical labor, and improved rheumatologic care must be available to cope with an anticipated gradual reduction in the number of rheumatologists.

It is understood anecdotally that practices that employ PAs tend to retain their services. Furthermore, few comparisons have been documented between practices with and without PAs regarding the range of services they offer and their levels of productivity.

  

To document these observations, SPAR approached PAEA with $5,000 in funding and a request that the Association develop and issue an RFP for research that, when completed, would provide information on rheumatology PAs in the workforce. In line with the newly revamped structure and aims of the RI, SPAR's request offered the RI an opportunity to support areas of research that would ultimately benefit both researchers and the profession.

Who may submit a proposal? The RI encourages physicians, PAs, NPs, and other allied health personnel who work in rheumatology practices or other subspecialties to submit proposals. The PI must be employed by an institution or other employer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for the duration of the project. A letter from the supervisor of the PI attesting to his or her employment status is required. Funding is awarded to the PI’s institution or employer; individuals are not funded. No member of the PAEA RI or its subcommittees having oversight for this RFP may be a named participant on submitted proposals. Members of the institute without oversight responsibilities are welcome to submit proposals.

Prospective PIs may indicate their interest in submitting a proposal through April 30. The full RFP is available on the PAEA Web site. Questions may be addressed to Eileen Evans at eevans@paeaonline.org; (703) 548-5538, ext. 307.

 

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