PAs in rheumatology will be in increasing demand because of a growing number of elderly patients in the United States. There is no universal recipe for how a rheumatology practice should utilize a PA. However, AAPA has included several different innovative teamwork examples from different practice sites in an issue brief about PAs in this specialty. The brief is available on the AAPA Web site at www.aapa.org/gandp/issuebrief/rheumatology.pdf.

PAs in rheumatology—and other specialties—can also utilize the Academy Web site to stay on top of the latest information about hip and pelvis disorders, disorders of the knee, rheumatoid arthritis, pain management, and other clinical issues. Visit the AAPA CME page at www.aapa.org/cme to view the growing list of CME Grand Rounds Online.

When it comes time to recertify, consider utilizing the Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for PAs, 3rd Edition. This is the only review book developed and endorsed by AAPA and the Physician Assistant Education Association, and it features all-new review material. To order, go to www.aapa.org/aapastore.

The Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology (SPAR)

The goals of the Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology (SPAR) for the foreseeable future are to develop stronger ties with the American College of Rheumatology and to solidify the physician-PA team.

PAs in rheumatology improve the practice environment because they spend a great deal of time with patients in assessment, diagnosis, management, and education. They develop life-long patient relationships because rheumatic diseases are frequently chronic.

Membership benefits in SPAR include a twice yearly newsletter, a SPAR-specific Web site (www.sparheum.org), access to a real-time online SPAR membership directory, and a link to CME sites. The Web site is being relaunched with a new design and better navigation.

SPAR seeks to provide exposure to high-level CME. For example, immune modulator treatments have revolutionized inflammatory arthritis treatment. Combination therapies with traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers have changed the prognosis of patients with rheumatic diseases. A goal for 2008 is to piggyback rheumatology with a CME program provided by either a subspecialty constituency or a state chapter.

Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology; c/o President Richard S. Pope, PA-C; 950 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-1552; (866) 980-2272; fax: (703) 864-1924; E-mail: rickpope@sparhuem.org; Web: www.sparheum.org

PAs in family medicine received support from their physician counterparts. The president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) attended the AAPA's recent annual conference in Philadelphia and was formally recognized before thousands of attendees. AAPA works closely with various physician organizations to educate their members about the PA profession. One of the oldest relationships is with the AAFP.

One reason for this close tie is that the largest segment of the PA profession works in family and general medicine. This information is gleaned from the AAPA Annual Census Survey, the most comprehensive, ongoing data-collection project about the PA profession. Results from the census survey are widely used by policy makers, PA educational programs, state PA chapters and specialty organizations, individual PAs, and AAPA staff.

The 2007 AAPA Census Survey results will be posted on the Academy Web site in October. To view previous census reports—including information broken down by state and specialty area—go to www.aapa.org/research. In addition, the research page contains general information on income, benefits, prescriptions written by PAs, and patient visits.

The Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants (AFPPA)

The Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants (AFPPA) is proactively tackling its most important issue, continuing medical education for PAs in family medicine. AFPPA is developing a spring conference to debut March 13-15, 2008, in Orlando, Florida.

Membership benefits include the AFPPA quarterly newsletter, Family Matters; access to a members-only section on the AFPPA Web site (www.afppa.org/); and access to job opportunities in family medicine and primary care. AFPPA also offers multiple scholarships for students.

AFPPA meetings are a good preparation for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants recertification exam. The next conference is to be held October 31 to November 3 in Las Vegas. The conference will offer 21 hands-on workshops and 50 educational sessions in many areas, including pediatrics and women's health.

AFPPA members include PAs who practice in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and occupational medicine, as well as other related areas. PAs in family medicine are the largest single segment of PAs.

Association of Family Practice PAs; c/o Chuck Dillehay; 1905 Woodstock Road, Suite 2150, Roswell, GA 30075; (877) 890-0181; fax: (770) 640-1095; E-mail: afppa@afppa.org; Web: www.afppa.org