JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from February 2007

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from February 2007

AAPA reiterates support for flexibility of profession.(FROM THE AAPA: News of current interest)
February 1, 2007... Again expressing its opposition to any specialty recognition programs or activities that would limit entry into areas of practice, the AAPA Board of Directors (BOB) has asked for clarification from the National Commission on Certification of...

Final regulations allow PAs to order patient restraint or seclusion.(FROM THE AAPA: News of current interest)
February 1, 2007... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued final regulations clarifying that physician assistants may order patient restraint or seclusion as a physician-delegated responsibility, when it is allowed by state law and...

2007 General Election candidates.(FROM THE AAPA: News of current interest)
February 1, 2007... The AAPA Nominating Committee has reviewed materials submitted by candidates for the 2007 General Election for AAPA board members and has endorsed six candidates: for president elect--Cynthia Booth Lord, Cheshire, Connecticut; Robert L. Wooten,...

A journal grows up.(GUEST EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of JAAPA. Back in 1987, when I arrived at the AAPA to begin work on launching the Journal as its first editor, there were fewer than 20 people on the Academy staff. They were housed in a small office in Roslyn,...

A day in the life: how PAs live and work.
February 1, 2007... Although we entered PA school from different paths in life, like most of our colleagues, we became PAs in part because we wanted to be able to help people. One characteristic that we want to define our lives is that when we live alongside...

Merkel cell carcinoma: a rare, aggressive cancer of the skin: epidemiologic data indicate that Merkel cell carcinoma is increasing in prevalence. Part of the reason is thought to be an aging population with lifestyles that have included increased sun exposure.(CASE REPORT)(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... CASE In October 2004, a 72-year-old white man was referred for evaluation of a mass on his right knee thought to be a melanoma. Six months earlier, he had noticed a flat, painless, moveable nodule slightly larger than a quarter in size and...

Race-based therapeutics: a discussion surrounding heart failure trials: why do some illnesses affect patients of certain races differently? Why is it that some patients respond to medications in different ways than do their counterparts of a different race? Is race-based therapy the solution? Here are some answers.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one killer of Americans, claiming 37.3% of deaths per year and costing $403.1 billion in related medical costs and disability. (1) A total of 71.3...

Male neonatal circumcision an evidence-based review: controversy and confusing study results confound parents and clinicians alike. Despite some proven medical benefits of circumcision, cultural and religious beliefs still usually determine whether this procedure will be performed.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... The prevalence of neonatal circumcision increased dramatically during the early part of the last century, from about 30% in the 1930s to around 80% by the 1970s. (1) After the 1970s the prevalence of the procedure declined somewhat, but current...

New-onset seizures in the elderly patient: the medical consequences of uncontrolled seizures in an older person can be serious. PAs should know how to make this difficult diagnosis, as well as how best to treat elderly patients who have this serious condition.(Recertification Refresher)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... The incidence of seizures in older adults is often underestimated. A recent Veterans Administration study showed that for elderly patients who ultimately received a diagnosis of epilepsy, only 73.3% of primary care physicians or internists...

CME posttest.
February 1, 2007... EXPIRATION DATE FEBRUARY 2008. AAPA members: Please take this CME posttest online at www.aapa.org. Schmitz N. Race-based therapeutics: A discussion surrounding heart failure trials. JAAPA, 2007;20(2):24-28. Sutton KA. New-onset seizures...

Which rosacea treatments are most effective?(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2007... Clinical question What treatments are effective for rosacea? Bottom line Effective treatments for rosacea include topical metronidazole, benzoyl peroxide 5%/erythromycin 3% gel, benzoyl peroxide 5%/clindamycin 1% gel, benzoyl peroxide alone,...

Clinical factors can predict severe CAP in adults.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2007... Clinical question Can clinical data collected at the time of diagnosis of pneumonia predict which patients will develop severe disease? Bottom line A simple scoring system using clinical data can identify patients with community-acquired...

Spiral CT detects early lung cancer, but use for screening is premature.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2007... Clinical question Can spiral CT screening detect small lung cancers that are potentially curable? Bottom line The authors point to this study as evidence to support widespread use of spiral CT to screen for lung cancer in high-risk...

Public safety versus patient interest: which to choose?(PAQ--PA QUANDARIES: Ethics in everyday practice)
February 1, 2007... F.J. Gianola, PA We encounter life not in general but in particular living beings. --Albert R. Jonsen, 2005 Case The following case presents an ethical problem in practice that may not be immediately obvious (see "PA...

Numb fingers and unequal blood pressures in a 58-year-old man.(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING REVIEW: Interpreting clinical images)(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2007... CASE The patient is a 58-year-old man who presents with numbness in the right fingers. He states that it is intermittent and seems to worsen when he is working. He is a construction worker who performs manual labor and works with his arms...

Painful white spots on a man's tongue.(DERMATOLOGY DIGEST: a derm photo quiz)
February 1, 2007... A 46-year-old man presents with mildly painful white spots on his tongue. He first felt pain 1 week earlier. The patient denies having hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, autoimmune disease, or diabetes and is not currently taking any...

The role of PAs in urology.(SPECIALTY UPDATE: Focus on PA specialty organizations)
February 1, 2007... The role of PAs in urology--as in other specialty areas--is changing. So how does a physician assistant today stay on top of things? One way is through continuing education provided at the AAPA Annual Conference in May. To register, visit the...

PAs in oncology.(SPECIALTY UPDATE: Focus on PA specialty organizations)
February 1, 2007... PAs in oncology are increasingly being used in a variety of ways. In addition to running bone marrow transplant and biopsy clinics, leukemia and lymphoma fast track clinics, and other acute oncology care Clinics, PAs in oncology help to...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... ARIZONA March 28-31 ASAPA Spring 2007 Primary Care Conference. Where: Sedona, Provider: Arizona State Association of PAs. Information: www.asapa.org. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA March 16-18 The PA in Primary Care. Where: George...

Case of the month: diagnostic challenges from your case files.(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2007... CASE A 56-year-old woman presents to the urgent care clinic believing she has a stomach virus or the flu. She had an episode of diarrhea about an hour after eating dinner the previous evening. Shortly after that, she vomited and developed...