American Academy Of Physician Assistants Research Articles

Joint policy statement—Guidelines for care of children in the Emergency Department

Children who require emergency care have unique needs, especially when emergencies are serious or life-threatening. The majority of ill and injured children are brought to community hospital emergency departments (EDs) by virtue of their geography within communities. Similarly, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies provide the bulk of out-of-hospital emergency care to children. It is imperative, therefore, that all hospital EDs have the appropriate resources (medications, equipment, policies, and education) and staff to provide effective emergency care for children. This statement outlines resources necessary to ensure that hospital EDs stand ready to care for children of all ages, from neonates to adolescents. These guidelines are consistent with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's report on the future of emergency care in the United States health system. Although resources within emergency and trauma care systems vary locally, regionally, and nationally, it is essential that hospital ED staff and administrators and EMS systems' administrators and medical directors seek to meet or exceed these guidelines in efforts to optimize the emergency care of children they serve. This statement has been endorsed by the Academic Pediatric Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Physician Assistants, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Brain Injury Association of America, Child Health Corporation of America, Children's National Medical Center, Family Voices, National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, National Association of EMS Physicians, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Committee for Quality Assurance, National PTA, Safe Kids USA, Society of Trauma Nurses, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and The Joint Commission.

Physician Assistants in Primary Care: Trends and Characteristics

Physician assistants (PAs) have made major contributions to the primary care workforce. Since the mid-1990s, however, the percentage of PAs working in primary care has declined. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic characteristics associated with PAs who practice in primary care. We obtained data from the 2009 American Academy of Physician Assistants' Annual Census Survey and used univariate analyses, logistic regression analyses, and χ(2) trend tests to assess differences in demographics (eg, age, sex, race) between primary care and non-primary care PAs. Survey respondents had graduated from PA school between 1965 and 2008. Of 72,433 PAs surveyed, 19,608 participated (27% of all PAs eligible to practice). Incomplete questionnaires were eliminated resulting in a final sample of 18,048. One-third of PAs reported working in primary care. Female, Hispanic, and older PAs were more likely to work in primary care practice. Trend tests showed a decline in the percentage of PAs working in primary care in the sample overall (average 0.3% decrease per year; P <.0001). In the cohort of 2004-2008 graduates, however, the percentage of primary care PAs increased slightly by an average of 0.9% per year (P = .02). Nonetheless, the low response rate of the census limits the ability to generalize these findings to the total population of PAs. Demographics associated with an increased likelihood of primary care practice among PAs appear to be similar to those of medical students who choose primary care. Knowledge of these characteristics may help efforts to increase the number of primary care PAs.

Interprofessional Education

The past decade witnessed momentum toward redesigning the U.S. health care system with the intent to improve quality of care. To achieve and sustain this change, health professions education must likewise reform to prepare future practitioners to optimize their ability to participate in the new paradigm of health care delivery. Recognizing that interprofessional education (IPE) is gaining momentum as a crucial aspect of health care professions training, this article provides an introduction to IPE programs from three different academic health centers, which were developed and implemented to train health care practitioners who provide patient-centered, collaborative care. The three participating programs are briefly described, as well as the processes and some lessons learned that were critical in the process of adopting IPE programs in their respective institutions. Critical aspects of each program are described to allow comparison of the critical building blocks for developing an IPE program. Among those building blocks, the authors present information on the planning processes of the different institutions, the competencies that each program aims to instill in the graduates, the snapshot of the three curricular models, and the assessment strategies used by each institution. The authors conclude by providing details that may provide insight for academic institutions considering implementation of IPE programs.

Salary Discrepancies Between Practicing Male and Female Physician Assistants

Background Salary discrepancies between male and female physicians are well documented; however, gender-based salary differences among clinically practicing physician assistants (PAs) have not been studied since 1992 (Willis, 1992). Therefore, the objectives of the current study are to evaluate the presence of salary discrepancies between clinically practicing male and female PAs and to analyze the effect of gender on income and practice characteristics. Methods Using data from the 2009 American Academy of Physician Assistants’ (AAPA) Annual Census Survey, we evaluated the salaries of PAs across multiple specialties. Differences between men and women were compared for practice characteristics (specialty, experience, etc) and salary (total pay, base pay, on-call pay, etc) in orthopedic surgery, emergency medicine, and family practice. Findings Men reported working more years as a PA in their current specialty, working more hours per month on-call, providing more direct care to patients, and more funding available from their employers for professional development ( p < .001, all comparisons). In addition, men reported a higher total income, base pay, overtime pay, administrative pay, on-call pay, and incentive pay based on productivity and performance ( p < .001, all comparisons). Multivariate analysis of covariance and analysis of variance revealed that men reported higher total income ( p < .0001) and base pay ( p = .001) in orthopedic surgery, higher total income ( p = .011) and base pay ( p = .005) in emergency medicine, and higher base pay in family practice ( p < .001), independent of clinical experience or workload. Conclusion These results suggest that certain salary discrepancies remain between employed male and female PAs regardless of specialty, experience, or other practice characteristics.

Physician assistants training on firearm injury prevention

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess physician assistant training programs incorporation of firearm injury prevention training in their curricula. Also, content of such programs as well as perceived benefits and barriers of providing such training were explored. MethodsA three-wave postal mailing of a 24-item questionnaire was sent to the population (n=145) of physician assistant program directors. ResultsThe majority (77%) of directors responded. The majority (81.3%) reported they had not seriously thought about providing such training (pre-contemplation). The three most important barriers to providing firearm injury prevention training were: lack of time, lack of faculty expertise on the topic, and lack of standardized teaching materials. Those programs that offered training averaged one-half hour. Yet, 77.7% thought that firearm injuries were a very large or large problem to the health and wellbeing of the U.S. population. ConclusionThere is a paucity of professional training for physician assistants regarding firearm injury prevention. It appears unlikely that physician assistants are playing a role in helping to reduce one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., firearm trauma. The American Academy of Physician Assistants needs to take the lead in improving training in this area for physician assistants. Practice ImplicationsPhysician Assistant training program directors should consider offering firearm injury prevention training to help reduce patient suicides and homicides.

Assessing patients before and after a liver transplant

Practice NursingVol. 22, No. 5 Clinical Chronic DiseaseAssessing patients before and after a liver transplantMichelle ClaytonMichelle ClaytonSearch for more papers by this authorMichelle ClaytonPublished Online:29 Sep 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/pnur.2011.22.5.236AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View articleReferencesBritish Association of Dermatologists (2010) Information about skin cancer for patients with an organ transplant. http://tiny.cc/4v0s0 (accessed 12 April 2011) Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2007) Immunisation Against Infectious Disease: ‘The Green Book’. http://tiny.cc/79n9z (accessed 12 April 2011) Google ScholarDepartment of Health (2008) Organs for Transplant: A Report from the Organ Donation Taskforce. The Stationery Office, London Google ScholarHamlin S, Leaper J (2009) Nutrition in Liver Disease. 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American Journal of Transplantation 10(6): 1420–7 Crossref, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byA systems-based approach to patient care after liver transplantationJournal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Vol. 31, No. 1Caracterização sociodemográfica e clínica de candidatos a transplante de fígadoActa Paulista de Enfermagem, Vol. 29, No. 2 1 May 2011Volume 22Issue 5ISSN (print): 0964-9271ISSN (online): 2052-2940 Metrics History Received 12 April 2011 Accepted 16 April 2011 Published online 29 September 2013 Published in print 1 May 2011 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedKeywordsliver transplantationassesmmentimmunosuppressive drugsAcknowledgmentsFigure 1 is reproduced with permission of Wiley-Blackwell.PDF download

Fondaparinux effective for superficial thrombosis but at very high cost

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: December 2010 - Volume 23 - Issue 12 - p E6-E7

Subclinical hypothyroidism associated with increased risk of CHD

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: December 2010 - Volume 23 - Issue 12 - p E7-E8

CAS as effective as CEA but is associated with more periprocedural strokes

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

Nurse Practitioners in Emergency Care

Nurse Practitioners in Emergency Care

Diabetes is no longer a specific indication for prophylactic aspirin

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: August 2010 - Volume 23 - Issue 8 - p 59

A slight rash develops into a refractory lesion

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

CBT is effective for childhood functional abdominal pain

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: July 2010 - Volume 23 - Issue 7 - p E5

Three good options for step-up therapy for asthmatic children

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

ACE inhibitor therapy and prescribing schedule II drugs

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

Uveitis, salivary gland swelling, and facial nerve palsy in a febrile woman

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

Career Flexibility Of Physician Assistants And The Potential For More Primary Care

In part because of their core generalist education, physician assistants can change clinical specialties over the course of their work life. This is known as career flexibility. Using medical care providers who can adapt quickly to new opportunities could help alleviate medical workforce shortages in primary care. We studied annual surveys undertaken by the American Academy of Physician Assistants to determine how many physician assistants changed specialties and how frequently. Over four decades, 49 percent of all clinically active physician assistants changed specialties sometime in their careers. This suggests that incentives, such as educational grants, could draw more physician assistants to work in primary care. These findings suggest that an array of new incentives under health reform could draw and retain more physician assistants into primary care medicine.

Reinventing Primary Care: A Task That Is Far ‘Too Important To Fail’

Reinventing Primary Care: A Task That Is Far ‘Too Important To Fail’

Heparin plus aspirin is better than aspirin alone in preventing fetal loss

JAAPA is the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Published for more than 25 years, its mission is to support the ongoing education and advancement of physician assistants (PAs) by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues. Published monthly, JAAPA's award-winning editorial includes: Clinical review articles (with AAPA-approved Category I CME in each issue) Case reports Clinical departments Original health services research Articles on issues of professional interest to PAs JAAPA is also available on its website, where archival issues and online-only content is available. The website also features blogs and links to a range of online resources useful to PAs. Registered users may sign up for e-newsletters to stay informed about new postings. Also available online: instructions for authors, currently active CME, drug information, and current medical news. JAAPA is a benefit of membership in AAPA, which serves the professional development needs of PAs worldwide, including the 131,000 certified PAs residing in the US. AAPA’s annual meeting is held in May, and is a key professional development event for PAs. For more information on the AAPA, visit AAPA.org.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation superior to drugs for paroxysmal AF

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: April 2010 - Volume 23 - Issue 4 - p 58