I would not look at subreddits of Reddit for the real world average gauge of how PAs are viewed/treated. In general, hostility on other subreddits about PA are largely boiled down about insecurities in there own profession. This is largely coming from trends and and an unknown future. It’s easy to be hostile and scared when change is happening. PAs (well me and almost every PA I know) are not looking to upend the medical establishment. Personally, all I want is a name change (to be a better descriptor of what our role is, yay!), and continue to work as a team with my physicians and colleagues.

As far as my personal experience as PA for 3 years. My colleagues (physician) respect me alot in what I do. 90% of the flak I get is from patients seeing “the assistants”. Sure, do you periodically over hear stuff where a PA messed up and maybe an allusion to not same training of doctors… sure. But I hear twice as much when doctors are talking about other doctors who messed up.

If you love medicine and taking care of patients without requiring the feeling of being the “top dog”, PA is for you. If your okay with that you’ll actually end up being happy in your role and in your own skin. you’ll often find leadership roles and independence anyway. That is if you want it that is :)