Autonomy ranks as highest importance to dermatology physician assistants in Pennsylvania with highest compensations

Abstract

Introduction: By exploring the relationship between compensation and job values, this research letter aims to contribute to the existing literature on health care professional compensation and job satisfaction, particularly within the context of dermatology physician assistants (PAs). Objectives: The authors aim to answer the question, “Does annual salary compensation correlate with any reported job values among dermatology PAs in Pennsylvania?” Method: This research letter presents a postsurvey analysis of a salary survey conducted among the members of the Pennsylvania Dermatology Physician Assistants (PDPA). The data used in this analysis were obtained from the previously published salary survey conducted by the PDPA. The survey asked participants to rank the factors most important in selecting a dermatology position. Results: Dermatology PAs in Pennsylvania who earned the highest income in a given year reported job autonomy as a top value [rs (79)=−0.2208, P=0.048]. Discussion: Schedule flexibility may allow PAs to be more productive in seeing more patients and, therefore, result in higher compensations. PAs with freedom, independence, and discretion may feel respected and valued. This could result in positive effects on productivity and, as a downstream result, higher compensation.