Beyond the clinic

OBJECTIVE: Most physician associates (PAs) who leave their clinical jobs will pursue another clinical position, though a smaller subset leave clinical practice entirely. Job change research tends to focus on PAs who leave their clinical roles for another clinical position; PA departure from clinical practice altogether is understudied. The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons behind why PAs leave clinical medicine to pursue nonclinical career options. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with nonclinical PAs to assess their reasons for leaving clinical practice. RESULTS: Although the reasons the study participants left clinical practice were multifactorial, burnout was widely expressed as a top contributor. Other reasons included but were not limited to lack of professional advancement opportunities, financial considerations, lack of flexibility, and poor work-life balance. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout was a key factor for leaving clinical practice, though other important reasons were also discovered. Understanding these factors could influence future PA retention plans and elucidate career trends in the profession.