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PA Career Exploration Question


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Hello everyone,

 

I'm exploring some different careers in the medical field and PA comes up on my personality assessment results time and time again (Along with NP and PT).  Before I dive into the commitment to HCE, prereqs courses, and shadowing opportunities I want to make sure this is a good career choice for me.  I have chronic lower back issues.  Not to the point where my mobility is hindered as I can do yoga, swim and general low impact exercises without any issues.  However, flare ups happen when I sit for long periods of time  (3+ hours), over exercise, or I lift heavy items constantly (30-40lbs+). I currently have a stand up desk at work and that helps tremendously.

 

Anyway, I'm not worried about sitting for long periods of time as a PA as I can see it's definitely not a desk job. I can't seem to find any information if PA's are required to carry patients?  If so, how often this occurs?  If this is something that occurs consistently (say more than a few times a week) then I'm not sure my back issue would allow me to pursue the career.  If it's a rare case where a patient has an emergency while visiting the clinic, hospital, office then I could manage.

 

Any advice from current PA's?  It would be greatly appreciated!

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Guest MedLib42

As a PA student, I can't give you a definitive answer as to whether the back problems will affect your career, although I can say that I myself have back problems and was told it will depend on the specialty I go into.

 

I can tell you, though, that you might have to figure out how to make accommodations for your back issues while you're a PA student. My classes run 8am-7pm four days a week, and I am in class most of that time (with a couple hour long breaks thrown in), so I spend most of that time sitting. Most of my lecture classes run 3+ hours each. Combine that with lugging a heavy backpack around campus, and I have had to deal with some pretty nasty flare-ups of back pain. I've managed though with a bit of extra PT, massage, and a lot of walking/stretching between classes. Class schedules are different at different schools, but most do have similar schedules. Didactic is usually only a year, so don't let that discourage you from pursuing the career, but it's definitely something to be prepared for.

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Thanks much for the replies!  
 
MedLib42: I definitely have thought about accommodations. I had a training class at my current job that was 60 days 8-5pm. Luckily after the 1st week I was able to secure a stand up desk.  This would be a better question for PA instructors or school advisors, but I wonder if they'll care if I stand off to the side or the back while in lecture?  Breaks + stretching would be a necessity multiple times a day.
Also, I figured it would depend on the specialty whether there will be more physical strain or not. I'd imagine Urgent Care, Emergency Medicine, or Nursing Home would require some lifting, but just trying to get a clear picture of what I'd be in for before committing. 
 
Truly appreciate it!

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