Physician Assistants as an Effective Solution to the OB/GYN Shortage
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
The US is facing a shortage of OB/GYNs that is expected to continue worsening through 2050.1 This limits the access to essential women’s health services for millions of females, contributes to expanding maternity care deserts, and increases maternal and infant mortality rates.2
Despite high demand for women’s health services, there are surprisingly few PAs practicing in OB/GYN, only 1.2%.3 Of the total providers in women’s health, including OB/GYN physicians, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, PAs only comprise about 2% of the specialty’s workforce.4
The gap in research is evident in the lack of studies that emphasize the use of PAs as a readily available resource to address the OB/GYN shortage and gap in women’s healthcare.
Misconceptions regarding PAs role in healthcare and scope of practice and institutional privileging restrictions act as barriers to PA utilization in OB/GYN.5
Project Goal: Increase awareness among the PA profession regarding the significance of the OB/GYN shortage, highlight how PAs can play an important role in expanding access to care, and address PA integration into the OB/GYN specialty through an article presented in JAAPA.
JAAPA was considered the ideal distributor of this information because it directly targets practicing PAs, PA educators, and PA leaders who are best positioned to utilize this information and implement changes.
Publication Date
5-13-2026
Citation Information
Oberg, Adelyn, "Physician Assistants as an Effective Solution to the OB/GYN Shortage" (2026). Student Works Physician Assistant. 48.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/48
