Analyzing Physician Assistant Library Resources: Equal Access in a Time of Rapid Growth?

摘要

This study examines libraries that support physician assistant (PA) programs by analyzing subscription data for eight key resources. Previous studies have noted the cost of providing resources to PA programs and have included some mention of resources, but these studies have not broadly explored the issue. After analyzing when these PA programs were first accredited, this study looks closely at the following three areas: the percentage of libraries that subscribe to each of the eight resources; the average number of resources purchased by libraries that support medical colleges and those that do not; and the average number of resources per library, controlled for accreditation date. Given the substantial difference in resource availability among PA libraries, librarians at colleges or universities that are implementing PA programs should use caution and advocate for funding, particularly if their libraries do not already support a medical school.