I’ve shared a lot regarding the PA profession with others over the years, but I haven’t always taken the time to explain my personal journey and how I found my place as a physician assistant in family medicine.
Like many, my path wasn’t perfectly mapped out from the start—I went into my PA program with an open mind and without any devotion to a specific specialty. Over time, my experiences led me to find that family medicine was the specialty that aligned best with both who I am and how I want to practice medicine.
Looking back, every experience I had, from early exposure to healthcare, to PA school, to starting practice during a global pandemic played a role in leading me here. In this post, you’ll find my own journey as well as some considerations if you’d like to pursue a career as a physician assistant in family medicine. Let’s get started!
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My Journey to Becoming a Physician Assistant in Family Medicine
Early Exposure to Medicine
My interest in medicine began in high school, when my grandparents were very sick. My grandmother had Lewy body dementia and I helped take care of her. My grandparents required frequent hospital visits and had lots of surgeries, so I spent a good deal of time in a hospital environment. There I saw providers caring not only for my grandparents, but also supporting our family through difficult moments.
Though it was difficult, that time at the hospital felt meaningful to me, and I became curious about the healthcare field. I decided I wanted to learn more about what it was like to be a healthcare provider.
Discovering the PA Role
At that time, I had the opportunity to shadow a PA in the hospital who worked in surgery. Watching a PA function in such a hands-on role immediately caught my attention. I loved how much responsibility they had while still working closely with physicians and other members of the healthcare team. It was a job I could see myself doing.
Additionally, I learned the PA profession is inherently flexible. I appreciated that PAs are trained as generalists, and I was drawn to the idea that one could change specialties over the course of a career if interests evolved. At that stage in my life, I wasn’t completely sure what specialty I wanted, so I found that incredibly reassuring.
PA School and Clinical Rotations
Like many PA students, I found myself interested in several different specialties throughout PA school. I enjoyed learning new systems, developing clinical skills, and seeing how medicine looks in different settings. At times, that made choosing a PA specialty feel overwhelming.
My family medicine rotation, however, left a lasting impression. I completed that rotation with an adjunct faculty physician who also taught us during PA school. From the beginning, I was struck by the variety of cases we saw. One patient might come in for chronic disease management, while the next visit involved acute concerns, preventive care, or difficult conversations about life changes and health goals.
What stood out to me most was the continuity of care. The physician knew his patients. He knew their histories, families, and ongoing challenges. I saw patients form a relationship with him and this influenced their outcomes. No two days were the same, and that made the work both challenging and fulfilling.
My First Job as a Physician Assistant in Family Medicine
After graduating in December 2019, I went straight into family medicine. The timing, however, wasn’t ideal. Shortly after graduation, the COVID-19 pandemic began, bringing uncertainty and change to healthcare everywhere.
Despite the challenges, I was able to begin working in a new family medicine practice alongside a physician. Starting my career in the unpredictable times of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how essential primary care is!
My Current Role in Family Medicine
Currently, I work as a family medicine PA in an outpatient, underserved rural clinic that is affiliated with a hospital. The affiliation is something that I value greatly, especially because in a rural setting access to specialists and resources can be limited.
My clinic day typically begins at 7:45 a.m., with my last patient scheduled around 4:15 p.m. Right now, I work part-time as a PA (which for me is three days per week) and I usually see about 16–18 patients per day. Most visits are scheduled in 30-minute blocks, though occasionally we divide that time to accommodate multiple acute visits.
What I Love About Family Medicine
6 years post-graduation, I still absolutely love what I do! Here are some of the great reasons why you may also consider becoming a physician assistant in family medicine:
1. You get to work with patients of all ages.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the patient population. I see patients across the entire lifespan, from newborns to individuals at the end of life. That full-spectrum care keeps each day interesting and challenging.
2. You build long-term relationships with your patients.
What I enjoy most about family medicine is the variety and the relationships. Being able to care for patients through different stages of life, seeing them at their lowest points and later celebrating their progress is very fulfilling. The long-term connections are what truly make this specialty unique for me.
3. There’s great work-life balance.
One of the appealing aspects of family medicine is the potential for work-life balance. Full-time positions often include administrative time built into the schedule for tasks such as reviewing labs, responding to patient messages, medication refills, and documentation.
Call responsibilities vary by practice, but they’re typically shared among providers. In a previous full-time role, I was only on call every couple of months because there were a lot of providers on the team. In my current part-time role, I don’t take call. Working part-time has allowed me to spend more time at home with my toddler, but I do plan on returning full-time someday.
What to Know Before Becoming a Physician Assistant in Family Medicine
If these perks sounds great to you, awesome! There are a few more things to consider before taking the leap into your first role as a PA in family medicine, including:
1. You’re responsible for a lot when it comes to patient care.
While family medicine is deeply rewarding, it also comes with significant responsibility. As a primary care provider, you’re often the central figure in a patient’s healthcare journey. You coordinate referrals, communicate with specialists, interpret results, and help guide patients through complex medical decisions.
2. Setting priorities and managing expectations can be difficult.
Patients frequently present with multiple concerns during a single visit, and learning how to prioritize and address those concerns effectively is an ongoing challenge. Sometimes issues require multiple visits, which can be difficult when patients want immediate answers. Time constraints are a real part of outpatient medicine, and learning to balance thorough care with clinic flow takes experience.
3. The learning never stops.
I was surprised by how much learning takes place after graduation. Even now, there are situations where I consult with my supervising physician. Having a physician I trust and am comfortable asking questions has been essential to my growth, especially early in my career.
4. Finding a job can be a challenge.
When it comes to finding a job, family medicine can be more competitive because it offers a predictable schedule and work-life balance. That said, the broad training PAs receive makes family medicine a natural fit for new graduates. Being trained in general medicine allows you to apply foundational knowledge across a wide range of conditions, which you might find incredibly helpful early in your career.
5. Patients don’t always understand the PA role.
Working in family medicine especially, I run into misconceptions about the PA role. Sometimes patients assume I’m still a student or resident. While these moments can be frustrating, they also provide opportunities to educate patients and advocate for the profession.
Should You Become a Physician Assistant in Family Medicine?
For PA students or new graduates considering family medicine, my advice is to keep an open mind. Apply for positions even if you’re not completely sure. Talk with recruiters, visit clinics, and spend time speaking with the staff. The people you’ll work with every day often give you the best insight into whether a practice will be a supportive and healthy environment.
It’s also important to remember that you’re not expected to know everything when you graduate. PA school provides a strong foundation, but as I said earlier, learning continues well into practice. Asking questions, seeking guidance, and leaning on your team are all essential parts of becoming a confident PA!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m very happy with where I’m at in my career. While family medicine was not initially on my radar, it’s become a very fulfilling specialty. For PA students and new graduates who are still trying to find their path, know that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away! You don’t need to know your forever specialty while you’re in school. Trust that the experiences you gain are shaping you into the provider you’re meant to be. Wherever you land, I wish you the very best!
Up for exploring some more PA specialties? Check out these other blog posts from PAs who have been in your shoes!
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