Yep, we've all talked about that before... Ad infinitum. The question that needs answering is "what does a doctorate in PA get you besides coursework that takes as much time as one of the new accelerated MD/DO programs that someone can complete in 3 years (not counting residency) and go on to make much better wages as a physician?".
I know of DNPs that are now in corporate leadership roles that have no analog in the PA world no matter the education level PAs obtain, and that's how their doctorate helped them out. So at least DNP proponents can point to that, or positions in academia that have enhanced prestige or tenure they come with their achievement. Point out how the extra DPA coursework is going to do more for PAs than evolve into degree creep like most of nursing sees the DNP as ushering in. And will it be devoid of fluff? It can't have too much of the hard stuff, or a lot of folks will be even more upset about not biting the bullet and going to med school. That's the dilemma.
PA school can easily cost >$100k. Tack on a doctorate, especially one that probably won't involve any more clinical hours to burden the program, and you have increased revenue stream where students watch pre recorded lectures and do a super capstone. Add $50k to the bill, and this starts to look like a terrible idea.
