bridge to med school

Started by MSc44
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MSc44

I was thinking about it today, They really should start some of these as an option, and at least give you credit for 4th year med school for PA school

I under stand doing 2 years of basic science cause its probably a little more in depth and ill give you core rotations so out can pass step 2...since you probably have not seen the 5 core rotations since last year PA school.

I know a DO school that did this for FMG's who could not pass USMLE when they came here.

why not do it with PA's......after all we are all trained in the USA, and could most likely fill the PCP gap

just a thought while i was in the shower this morning
 
MSc44 said:
I was thinking about it today, They really should start some of these as an option, and at least give you credit for 4th year med school for PA school

I under stand doing 2 years of basic science cause its probably a little more in depth and ill give you core rotations so out can pass step 2...since you probably have not seen the 5 core rotations since last year PA school.

I know a DO school that did this for FMG's who could not pass USMLE when they came here.

why not do it with PA's......after all we are all trained in the USA, and could most likely fill the PCP gap

just a thought while i was in the shower this morning
Click to expand...

It's been talked about numerous times, maybe not here but deifinitly at www.physicianassistant.net

I'm pre-pa and am becoming a PA for a reason. If I wanted to be a doc, i'd go to med school. So I think it is okay for a bridge program but I don't think it will be incredibly popular except for those PA's that have become disillusioned with their job/field and want more respect, authority, etc.

just my opinion though

dxu
 
Agreed. I am in the same boat; pre-PA now, and becoming a PA specifically because I want to be a PA. I understand how a bridge would be useful, and in time I myself might be somebody who would want to make use of it. However, I think that if bridge programs existed now, we would have an even greater number of new PA students coming in with the idea that they could be PA's for a while, and then "move on" later.

In this way, a bridge would likely turn the PA profession into more of a stop along the way to MD/DO, rather than a destination unto itself. Which, in my opinion, would be very bad for the PA profession.
 
MSc44 said:
I was thinking about it today, They really should start some of these as an option, and at least give you credit for 4th year med school for PA school
Click to expand...

No they shouldnt... you know the routine, if you want med school then do med school. Otherwise quit complaining about not getting any shortcuts to med school.

why not do it with PA's......after all we are all trained in the USA, and could most likely fill the PCP gap
Click to expand...

PAs as they exist right now "fill" the PCP gap just fine. There is no reason to give them a shortcut to med school.
 
I'd like to throw out there that while PA's are used in a myriad of places and situations, they are still alot of people who don't even know what a PA is. This is one thing that needs to change for PA's to grow and evolve. Look at NPs for example, they have a huge lobbying force. PA's do not, but we could use it.

If you are worried about respect, autonomy, prestige, having the final say, etc..goto Med School. If you want to practice medicine, know a whole lot of medical info, and not spend 4 yrs in school + 4 yrs in residency, goto PA school.

They are both awesome professions and the only reason I am not going to Med School is because I really don't have the drive or desire and I really love the PA field and scope of practice.

dxu
 
Can you imagine how competitive it would be if a medical school actually created a bridge program? There are a great number of PA's that would certainly apply and have vast clinical experience. The chance of getting in would be far less than just going to med school to begin with. I guess it could start a trend amongst other med schools, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. Just my $.02.

Jason
 
I hate to admit agreeing with guys like mcgiver and freeedom, but there should be NO short cuts. Trust me, I wouldnt mind skipping a few of the rotations (especially elective/selective) to save time and money. Even get credit for some of the ethics/H and P/ PE workshops and alike.

As for the science of medicine---need to retake all of it. It IS presented differently and the emphasis is different.

PA school was designed to creat a clinician

med school create an acedemic/medical scholar that needs residency to become a clinician.

No short cuts man.
 
On the other hand, the few PA's I know who decided to go to medical school kicked serious ass once they got there.
 
Why not design a bridge specifically not to be a shortcut? Have'm do the research, the science, the whatever it takes. Don't lower any standards.
 
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