I, like many PA students and currently practicing members in the profession, closely follow news associated with said profession. The PA profession, still being relatively young, is a tight-knit one, and whenever an issue arises within the field, it is widely talked about on the PA blogs and news sites. Upon logging onto my Facebook page this morning, my news feed displayed the news from one of the PA blog pages I follow, and a very interesting article was linked, which I enclose below. It speaks of the suggestion that a change of title be employed, and that "Physician Assistant" be changed to "Physician Associate," to clear up any ambiguities there are within the general public about what we actually do, and what responsibilities we have.
I, for one, am 100% in favor of the seemingly simple name change, that has the potential to drastically change how people outside of the medical profession see us. Even though I haven't even started school yet, I have lost count of the hundreds of times that I have had to explain exactly what PAs do, often because the word "assistant" throws many people off; most people assume that Physician Assistants are on the same level as Medical Assistants, which couldn't be further from the truth. The word "assistant" really isn't quite accurate anymore, seeing as how PAs have a very distinct set of responsibilities and duties when it comes to patient care. Since we are trained under the medical model, the same model that doctors are educated under, we can perform many of the duties as doctors, such as physical exams, ordering/interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgery. Medical assistants, on the other hand, take vitals and ready the patient for the PA/Dr. to perform their duties.
When I explain to others that PAs have such a wide scope of duties, many question my decision to attend PA school, and not go for medical school. Again, this one silly word causes many of the people that know me to assume that I am settling for an "assistant" job, rather than "suck it up" and become a Dr. But it is purely a lifestyle choice, one that allows me to have the kind of life that I want, and treat my patients in a way that I envision medical care to be.
Even though a name change, if it is to happen, is far from occurring, I have hopes that it would cut down the confusion and more accurately reflect the rich history and wonderful scope of the profession I have chosen to dedicate my life to.
For the full article, click the link:
http://physician-assistant.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=219643
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
45 days and counting...
It has been quite awhile since I've posted, and during that time, quite a lot has happened. As the start of PA school inches closer, the number of items on my to-do list has increased exponentially. Just when I think I'm making headway on the massive list, I get another email with upcoming dates to remember, or I think of things that must be done before I move into my new apt. and start school. Setting up my utilities, cable, internet, and making appts. to have immunizations and TB tests done are only a small part of what I accomplished only today.
Even though my list is long, I am continually reminded what this list signifies; it represents what I have to accomplish in order to be as ready as possible for the start of PA school...and I am really excited!
Included in the last "new student" newsletter from the CU PA program was the list of textbooks and supplies I will need for the summer semester...and if I thought my own list was long, this one threw me right out of the ballpark. This summer will consist of 4 classes: Human Anatomy with cadaver lab, Introduction to Clinical Reasoning, Physical Diagnosis, and The Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare. Between the 4 classes, I had to order a total of 8 books, which were not evenly distributed. Human Anatomy will definitely be the most time-consuming and heavy of my classes, if I am judging by the book list alone: "Clinically Oriented Anatomy," "Cross-sectional Human Anatomy," "Grant's Dissector," "Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy," and "Netter's Human Anatomy Coloring Book." Even though I have taken Anatomy twice before, and am familiar with much of the human anatomy, there is a lot to be forgotten as soon as the class is over, and since this time is for real (as in, I have to actually remember this stuff in order to treat my patients) I am thoroughly committed to learning it and having it stick...I hope.
My other books were for Introduction to Clinical Reasoning and my Physical Diagnosis class. Throughout my book and supply ordering process, I experienced the biggest geek-out moments of my life. In addition to the textbooks for these classes (which I will get to briefly), I had to order my medical equipment. As someone who has been dreaming about practicing medicine since I was 4, this was one of the greatest moments of my life. I ordered my diagnostic kit, which includes an ophthalmoscope and otoscope, my blood pressure equipment, and my very own stethoscope, with burgundy tubing. I can't believe I am going to own a stethoscope! YAY!
The same geeking out ensued when I received my physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning books in the mail, which consisted of Pediatric and Adult symptom guides, a medical terminology guide, and a 1000+ page behemoth detailing the various steps and components of a complete physical exam. I got so excited upon opening the package, that I'm sure my mother was wondering what type of stimulants I was on :-). But it really is hard to put into words how exciting it is to know that I will actually learn and remember what these books contain in a few short months/years: the knowledge pertaining to the practice of medicine.
Even though my list is long, I am continually reminded what this list signifies; it represents what I have to accomplish in order to be as ready as possible for the start of PA school...and I am really excited!
Included in the last "new student" newsletter from the CU PA program was the list of textbooks and supplies I will need for the summer semester...and if I thought my own list was long, this one threw me right out of the ballpark. This summer will consist of 4 classes: Human Anatomy with cadaver lab, Introduction to Clinical Reasoning, Physical Diagnosis, and The Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare. Between the 4 classes, I had to order a total of 8 books, which were not evenly distributed. Human Anatomy will definitely be the most time-consuming and heavy of my classes, if I am judging by the book list alone: "Clinically Oriented Anatomy," "Cross-sectional Human Anatomy," "Grant's Dissector," "Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy," and "Netter's Human Anatomy Coloring Book." Even though I have taken Anatomy twice before, and am familiar with much of the human anatomy, there is a lot to be forgotten as soon as the class is over, and since this time is for real (as in, I have to actually remember this stuff in order to treat my patients) I am thoroughly committed to learning it and having it stick...I hope.
My other books were for Introduction to Clinical Reasoning and my Physical Diagnosis class. Throughout my book and supply ordering process, I experienced the biggest geek-out moments of my life. In addition to the textbooks for these classes (which I will get to briefly), I had to order my medical equipment. As someone who has been dreaming about practicing medicine since I was 4, this was one of the greatest moments of my life. I ordered my diagnostic kit, which includes an ophthalmoscope and otoscope, my blood pressure equipment, and my very own stethoscope, with burgundy tubing. I can't believe I am going to own a stethoscope! YAY!
The same geeking out ensued when I received my physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning books in the mail, which consisted of Pediatric and Adult symptom guides, a medical terminology guide, and a 1000+ page behemoth detailing the various steps and components of a complete physical exam. I got so excited upon opening the package, that I'm sure my mother was wondering what type of stimulants I was on :-). But it really is hard to put into words how exciting it is to know that I will actually learn and remember what these books contain in a few short months/years: the knowledge pertaining to the practice of medicine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hi, my name is Katie, and I'm a Physician Assistant (Associate?)
I, like many PA students and currently practicing members in the profession, closely follow news associated with said profession. The PA profession, still being relatively young, is a tight-knit one, and whenever an issue arises within the field, it is widely talked about on the PA blogs and news sites. Upon logging onto my Facebook page this morning, my news feed displayed the news from one of the PA blog pages I follow, and a very interesting article was linked, which I enclose below. It speaks of the suggestion that a change of title be employed, and that "Physician Assistant" be changed to "Physician Associate," to clear up any ambiguities there are within the general public about what we actually do, and what responsibilities we have.
I, for one, am 100% in favor of the seemingly simple name change, that has the potential to drastically change how people outside of the medical profession see us. Even though I haven't even started school yet, I have lost count of the hundreds of times that I have had to explain exactly what PAs do, often because the word "assistant" throws many people off; most people assume that Physician Assistants are on the same level as Medical Assistants, which couldn't be further from the truth. The word "assistant" really isn't quite accurate anymore, seeing as how PAs have a very distinct set of responsibilities and duties when it comes to patient care. Since we are trained under the medical model, the same model that doctors are educated under, we can perform many of the duties as doctors, such as physical exams, ordering/interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgery. Medical assistants, on the other hand, take vitals and ready the patient for the PA/Dr. to perform their duties.
When I explain to others that PAs have such a wide scope of duties, many question my decision to attend PA school, and not go for medical school. Again, this one silly word causes many of the people that know me to assume that I am settling for an "assistant" job, rather than "suck it up" and become a Dr. But it is purely a lifestyle choice, one that allows me to have the kind of life that I want, and treat my patients in a way that I envision medical care to be.
Even though a name change, if it is to happen, is far from occurring, I have hopes that it would cut down the confusion and more accurately reflect the rich history and wonderful scope of the profession I have chosen to dedicate my life to.
For the full article, click the link:
http://physician-assistant.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=219643
I, for one, am 100% in favor of the seemingly simple name change, that has the potential to drastically change how people outside of the medical profession see us. Even though I haven't even started school yet, I have lost count of the hundreds of times that I have had to explain exactly what PAs do, often because the word "assistant" throws many people off; most people assume that Physician Assistants are on the same level as Medical Assistants, which couldn't be further from the truth. The word "assistant" really isn't quite accurate anymore, seeing as how PAs have a very distinct set of responsibilities and duties when it comes to patient care. Since we are trained under the medical model, the same model that doctors are educated under, we can perform many of the duties as doctors, such as physical exams, ordering/interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgery. Medical assistants, on the other hand, take vitals and ready the patient for the PA/Dr. to perform their duties.
When I explain to others that PAs have such a wide scope of duties, many question my decision to attend PA school, and not go for medical school. Again, this one silly word causes many of the people that know me to assume that I am settling for an "assistant" job, rather than "suck it up" and become a Dr. But it is purely a lifestyle choice, one that allows me to have the kind of life that I want, and treat my patients in a way that I envision medical care to be.
Even though a name change, if it is to happen, is far from occurring, I have hopes that it would cut down the confusion and more accurately reflect the rich history and wonderful scope of the profession I have chosen to dedicate my life to.
For the full article, click the link:
http://physician-assistant.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=219643
Monday, April 12, 2010
45 days and counting...
It has been quite awhile since I've posted, and during that time, quite a lot has happened. As the start of PA school inches closer, the number of items on my to-do list has increased exponentially. Just when I think I'm making headway on the massive list, I get another email with upcoming dates to remember, or I think of things that must be done before I move into my new apt. and start school. Setting up my utilities, cable, internet, and making appts. to have immunizations and TB tests done are only a small part of what I accomplished only today.
Even though my list is long, I am continually reminded what this list signifies; it represents what I have to accomplish in order to be as ready as possible for the start of PA school...and I am really excited!
Included in the last "new student" newsletter from the CU PA program was the list of textbooks and supplies I will need for the summer semester...and if I thought my own list was long, this one threw me right out of the ballpark. This summer will consist of 4 classes: Human Anatomy with cadaver lab, Introduction to Clinical Reasoning, Physical Diagnosis, and The Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare. Between the 4 classes, I had to order a total of 8 books, which were not evenly distributed. Human Anatomy will definitely be the most time-consuming and heavy of my classes, if I am judging by the book list alone: "Clinically Oriented Anatomy," "Cross-sectional Human Anatomy," "Grant's Dissector," "Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy," and "Netter's Human Anatomy Coloring Book." Even though I have taken Anatomy twice before, and am familiar with much of the human anatomy, there is a lot to be forgotten as soon as the class is over, and since this time is for real (as in, I have to actually remember this stuff in order to treat my patients) I am thoroughly committed to learning it and having it stick...I hope.
My other books were for Introduction to Clinical Reasoning and my Physical Diagnosis class. Throughout my book and supply ordering process, I experienced the biggest geek-out moments of my life. In addition to the textbooks for these classes (which I will get to briefly), I had to order my medical equipment. As someone who has been dreaming about practicing medicine since I was 4, this was one of the greatest moments of my life. I ordered my diagnostic kit, which includes an ophthalmoscope and otoscope, my blood pressure equipment, and my very own stethoscope, with burgundy tubing. I can't believe I am going to own a stethoscope! YAY!
The same geeking out ensued when I received my physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning books in the mail, which consisted of Pediatric and Adult symptom guides, a medical terminology guide, and a 1000+ page behemoth detailing the various steps and components of a complete physical exam. I got so excited upon opening the package, that I'm sure my mother was wondering what type of stimulants I was on :-). But it really is hard to put into words how exciting it is to know that I will actually learn and remember what these books contain in a few short months/years: the knowledge pertaining to the practice of medicine.
Even though my list is long, I am continually reminded what this list signifies; it represents what I have to accomplish in order to be as ready as possible for the start of PA school...and I am really excited!
Included in the last "new student" newsletter from the CU PA program was the list of textbooks and supplies I will need for the summer semester...and if I thought my own list was long, this one threw me right out of the ballpark. This summer will consist of 4 classes: Human Anatomy with cadaver lab, Introduction to Clinical Reasoning, Physical Diagnosis, and The Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare. Between the 4 classes, I had to order a total of 8 books, which were not evenly distributed. Human Anatomy will definitely be the most time-consuming and heavy of my classes, if I am judging by the book list alone: "Clinically Oriented Anatomy," "Cross-sectional Human Anatomy," "Grant's Dissector," "Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy," and "Netter's Human Anatomy Coloring Book." Even though I have taken Anatomy twice before, and am familiar with much of the human anatomy, there is a lot to be forgotten as soon as the class is over, and since this time is for real (as in, I have to actually remember this stuff in order to treat my patients) I am thoroughly committed to learning it and having it stick...I hope.
My other books were for Introduction to Clinical Reasoning and my Physical Diagnosis class. Throughout my book and supply ordering process, I experienced the biggest geek-out moments of my life. In addition to the textbooks for these classes (which I will get to briefly), I had to order my medical equipment. As someone who has been dreaming about practicing medicine since I was 4, this was one of the greatest moments of my life. I ordered my diagnostic kit, which includes an ophthalmoscope and otoscope, my blood pressure equipment, and my very own stethoscope, with burgundy tubing. I can't believe I am going to own a stethoscope! YAY!
The same geeking out ensued when I received my physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning books in the mail, which consisted of Pediatric and Adult symptom guides, a medical terminology guide, and a 1000+ page behemoth detailing the various steps and components of a complete physical exam. I got so excited upon opening the package, that I'm sure my mother was wondering what type of stimulants I was on :-). But it really is hard to put into words how exciting it is to know that I will actually learn and remember what these books contain in a few short months/years: the knowledge pertaining to the practice of medicine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)