A qualitative assessment of medical assistant professional aspirations and their alignment with career ladders across three institutions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Growing demand for medical assistants (MAs) in team-based primary care has led health systems to explore career ladders based on expanded MA responsibilities as a solution to improve MA recruitment and retention. However, the practical implementation of career ladders remains a challenge for many health systems. In this study, we aim to understand MA career aspirations and their alignment with available advancement opportunities.

Methods

Semi-structured focus groups were conducted August to December 2019 in primary care clinics based in three health systems in California and Utah. MA perspectives of career aspirations and their alignment with existing career ladders were discussed, recorded, and qualitatively analyzed.

Results

Ten focus groups conducted wit

SUBMITTER: Vilendrer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9109348 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature