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PA Educational Issues

CAQs: To do or not to do?

Alexandra Godfrey, MS, PA-C May 07, 2012

Certificates of Added Qualification are not essential for PAs and should not be forced. But the author will get one anyway.

A physician's perspective on certification maintenance changes

Wanda C. Gonsalves, MD April 30, 2012

NCCPA recertification changes were developed after a long study of the ABMS model. While in many ways the new NCCPA process is simpler than most being implemented by physician boards, it touches on the same concepts.

Long QT syndrome and Wegener granulomatosis

Myriam D. Riboh, MS, PA-C March 27, 2012

This month's review covers the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of two potentially fatal disorders.

Ensuring cultural competence in new PA graduates

Wanda C. Gonsalves, MD February 13, 2012

The author urges PA educators to ensure that their students are prepared to deliver culturally competent care and suggests resources that can help.

Precepting PA students: How  you can touch the future

February 03, 2012

PAs can build a stronger profession by mentoring their future colleagues, says the author. Give back by volunteering to precept.

Wanted—PAs to help train PAs

Richard Dehn, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA December 05, 2011

The author asks his fellow PAs if they are acting as preceptors to PA students. If you want to make an impact on the quality of PA graduates, he says, and therefore the future of the profession, this is the one important contribution that will indeed make a difference.

The case of the mentoring spirit

Dawn Colomb-Lippa, MHS, PA-C October 17, 2011

The commitment to mentor is well worth the time invested. To those of you who are already in the game of mentoring, you know what I am talking about. If you have thought about it but have yet to take the leap, now's the time.

Inside the AAPA Policy Manual—September 2011

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC September 16, 2011

This month's column describes the role of AAPA Position Papers.

How clinicians think: The  evolution of clinical reasoning

Kristine A. Himmerick, MPAS, PA-C May 05, 2011

Watching students develop their clinical reasoning skills has heightened the author's awareness of how she applies clinical reasoning with patients in her own practice—and has reminded her to not take this critical skill for granted.

Knock, knock. Who's there?

Steve Wilson, PA-C, DFAAPA, FAPACVS January 19, 2011

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has initiated a program specific for recruiting new physicians into the field of cardiac and thoracic surgery. It is the same for other specialties. Why bring this up in a PA blog? Because I believe as physicians go, so go the PAs.

You can take PAs to water, but can you make them drink?

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC October 04, 2010

What does it mean to "give back to the profession"? And how can we build this value into new PAs? I see an increasing trend in new PAs to see their role only as "clinicians," and to see "professional involvement" as peripheral and unrelated to their true job of patient care. This disturbing development threatens to deeply impact the future of the PA profession.

PAs and "disruptive innovation"

Michael Halasy, MS, PA-C September 15, 2010

The author argues that to maintain themselves as a "disruptive innovation," with all the value that brings to the American health care system, PAs must tend to their profession carefully.

Why do we choose to become PAs?

Richard Dehn, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA September 07, 2010

The questions of who chooses to become a PA and why has always been of interest to me. While on the surface this appears to be a basic and, some might consider somewhat banal question, I've always believed that it to be a fundamentally enlightening interview question that sometimes provides me a brief glimpse into our profession's future.

Continuous professional development (CPD) enhances the pursuit of lifelong learning

P. Michel Statler, MLA, PA-C May 12, 2010

The PEDC provides an overview of the impending changes in continuing medical education and explains how PAs can benefit from them.

Ask a Librarian!—March 2010

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC, Susan Klawansky, MLS, AHIP March 12, 2010

Need more information about genetics or about patient assessment instruments and tests? This month's column discusses resources that can help.

Ask a Librarian!—December 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC, Susan Klawansky, MLS, AHIP December 11, 2009

What are some online tools that can help you learn to write for professional publication? Are there any that can help you manage your references? This month's installment answers these questions.

What influences practice location and specialty?

Richard Dehn, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA October 15, 2009

The student selection process and curriculum are important in producing primary care physicians and physicians willing to serve in rural and underserved settings. Public and rural schools do a better job of producing primary care, rural, and health center physicians.

A Day in the Life: Alexandra Godfrey, BSc, PT

Alexandra Godfrey, BSc, PT October 14, 2009

A day in both the anatomy lab and the hospital teaches this student how a constant awareness of illness, suffering, and loss will be part of being a PA.

What PAs should know before they refer patients to a genetic counselor

Erynn Gordon, MS, CGC September 17, 2009

A thorough understanding of the potential risks and benefits is necessary before referring a patient for genetic counseling.

Do physician assistants provide a "social good" for America?

Roderick S. Hooker, PhD, PA-C September 15, 2009

Has the PA profession delivered on its promise to increase access to health care? This editorial's argument: The evidence shows that it has.

How population-based practices can improve patient outcomes

Richard D. Muma, PhD, MPH, PA-C September 10, 2009

When planning a patient's care, physician assistants should consider all the available options--treatment, cure, rehabilitation, and prevention.

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—August 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC August 28, 2009

This column examines recent literature on health disparities, emphasizing tools that can help clinicians to assess and address disparities in their own practices. This month's subject: The myth of race and health.

A niche for PAs to effect change in our health care system

Kevin M. Schuer, PA-C, MPH August 18, 2009

A fellowship with the NCPS showed this PA how he and other PAs can effect positive change in our health care system.

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—July 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC July 24, 2009

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—June 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC June 19, 2009

Conference Log 2009—AAPA San Diego

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC June 18, 2009

JAAPA editorial board member Jim Anderson spends almost a week at AAPA's 37th annual conference in San Diego—and writes about it for JAAPA! Click here to read the diary of his activities.

Assessing the value of physician assistant postgraduate education

Roderick S. Hooker, PhD, PA-C May 21, 2009

Although strong arguments for and against additional formal education for PAs are made, little evidence is available to support either side.

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—May 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC May 15, 2009

Put a PDA in your practice for easy access to current medical information

Allan Platt, PA-C, MMSc May 15, 2009

Educators and students must be familiar with the latest equipment and software programs.

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—April 2009

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC April 15, 2009

This column examines recent literature and evidence focusing on health disparities, with emphasis on identifying tools being developed that can help clinicians to assess and address disparities in their own practices.