I chose the PA route after being exposed to excellent PA's in the Navy. Before that, I had never heard of a PA. I knew that I was a bit older than the people who were beginning medical school, so I made the mistake of thinking I was too old to become a physician (I was 24 then). Now 30, and having been a PA for four years, I now know that age is relative, and that I could have gone to medical school at age 25 and still fit in. Now though, I have a vast amount of medical knowledge to take with me as I start medical school, which will make me that much better of a doctor than my counterparts. As any of you in medicine know, when you hear things the second time (after seeing them in practice), it makes learning much easier.
I think PA's should primarily work in underserved areas, and not in big cities where there are plenty of physicians. The profession has sort of gone away from that though, and I like the fact that Stayce wants to do just that. As a PA though, you have to be prepared to face discrimination and ignorance, which is largely nonexistent for our physician colleagues. Salary being the same, and lifestyle being the same, there is still a world of difference between the life of a physician and that of a PA. Society has a reference frame for defining status, and a physician is at the top of the food chain unarguably. Although a PA can also acheive similar status, especially in small town America, it is still not the same. Anyone who cannot handle being in the unique position that often limits social circles should nto become a PA. In general, a physician and a PA are not in the same social circle, yet a PA is certainly not in the circle of the other people in medicine that work for providers. This creates a lonely environment at times, but one that I think most PA's overcome and thrive within. I simply am not strong enough (or whatever you call it) to stay a PA lifelong, and am retracing some of my steps to become a physician.
I think though that it is largely a myth that PA's have all this extra time to spend with patients as many of you say. To remain profitable (and hired!), a PA must make it worth the physician's dollar to remain on staff. In today's world of medicine, there is rarely any difference between the time a PA has to see a patient and the time a physician has to see a patient.
Good luck to anyone considering our profession, and rest assured that you could do much worse in chosing a profession. The money is great, the life is great, and the satisfaction is stellar.
Matt
