The present study examined the different types and characteristics of professionalism recognized by physician assistants. This study utilized Q methodology. A total of 12 physician assistants were interviewed and 77 Q-populations were constructed by referring to the interview data and related literature. After extracting a total of 35 Q statements, 30 participants sorted Q statements. Four types of perceptions about the professionalism of physician assistants were identified: “system establishment-oriented,” “identity seeking,” “role conflict,” and “skepticism recognition.” Confirmation of these four types can be interpreted as reflecting not only the positive and negative attitudes toward professionalism but also the diverse subjectivity that physician assistants have in their occupation. To have positive professionalism, it is necessary to develop an educational program that considers the characteristics of the types of perceptions derived from this study.
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