JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from February 2008

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from February 2008

AAPA to launch new CME needs assessment survey.(FROM THE AAPA)(Survey)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... For the first time in several years, AAPA is conducting a comprehensive CME needs assessment. On February 1, AAPA launched a new Web-based survey to assess the continuing medical education needs of PAs. The survey will help AAPA design future...

AAPA names Bill Leinweber new EVP/CEO.(FROM THE AAPA)
February 1, 2008... Ask incoming AAPA Executive Vice President/CEO Bill Leinweber to name the primary elements that drive the health care debate in the United States today, and he'll give you a simple answer: cost, quality, and access. While the answer may be...

Reducing health disparities: every PA's obligation.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008... The chart for your next patient reads as follows: "53-year-old overweight female with diabetes is here for evaluation and treatment of... " She is an African-American woman whose visit is related directly or indirectly to her diabetes. Take a...

New drug information.(Drug overview)
February 1, 2008... FROM THE EDITORS OF THE PAPR PRODUCT: Combigan COMPANY: Allergan PHARMACOLOGIC CLASS: [alpha.sub.2]-agonist + noncardioselective beta-blocker ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, timolol (as maleate) 0.5%; oph soln;...

Painful sores in a young boy's mouth.(Dermatology Digest)
February 1, 2008... [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] CASE The patient was a 7-year-old boy who presented with painful sores in his mouth. Three days before presentation, the patient complained to his mother that his mouth felt extremely painful. He said the pain was...

A day in the life.
February 1, 2008... I'm volunteering for a month at the WE-ACTx Clinic, Kigali, Rwanda. This all came about when one of the clinic founders, Dr. Kathy Anastos, spoke at our HIV rounds. Kathy talked about her clinic in Rwanda, founded when she and Anne-Christine...

Diagnosis and management of patients with Marfan syndrome: current medical and surgical treatments and multidisciplinary care are allowing people with this relatively common genetic disorder to live out a nearly normal life span.(CME)(Cover story)
February 1, 2008... In 1896, Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan presented a case to the Medical Society of the Hospitals of Paris involving a 5-year-old girl with long limbs, long fingers, slender build, and muscular weakness. (1) In 1902, when additional patients who...

An uncommon diagnosis in a young woman with knee pain: active adults often complain of knee pain and swelling, and PAs should consider less common causes of these symptoms when the diagnosis remains unclear.(CASE REPORT)(Medical condition overview)
February 1, 2008... CASE A 30-year-old white female presented for evaluation of mechanical knee pain and swelling for the past 4 years. Her symptoms were most prominent as she attempted to engage in an exercise program that included walking and core...

Using yoga to treat disease: an evidence-based review: as researchers continue to increase our understanding of what yoga can do for patients with chronic conditions, we very well may be writing prescriptions for yoga poses.
February 1, 2008... Yoga is a centuries-old tradition with origins in ancient India. Blending physical, mental, and spiritual practice, it seeks to bring about a state of harmony between mind and body through concentration, physical practice, and mental...

Understanding the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: polymyositis and dermatomyositis can manifest with similar signs and symptoms. Look for the diagnostic markers that can help you make the correct diagnosis.
February 1, 2008... Polymyositis (PM) is one of a group of skeletal muscle diseases known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. When PM manifestations include a cutaneous rash, the disease is referred to as dermatomyositis (DM). In patients with both PM and DM,...

Managing the febrile infant: what is the standard of care? This first article of two parts reviews the current guidelines and rationale for the evaluation and treatment of the febrile infant younger than 90 days.(CME)
February 1, 2008... Fever is the most common symptom among children and infants seen for outpatient evaluation. In the pediatric emergency setting, fever accounts for up to 20% of all encounters. (1) Determining whether the cause of fever in an infant younger than...

CME posttest: expiration date: February 2009.
February 1, 2008... AAPA members: Please take this CME posttest online at www.aapa.org. MARFAN SYNDROME 1. The most recognizable skeletal abnormality associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a. Kyphoscoliosis b. Pectus excavatum c....

Tracking patients and outcomes.(SOUNDING BOARD)
February 1, 2008... Have you ever lost a patient to follow-up? Have you ever wondered how that patient with carpal runnel syndrome is doing? Have you ever worried that your patient on warfarin therapy is due for a check-up? Have you ever wondered why we still have...

Pedometer use increases physical activity and may promote weight loss.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2008... Clinical question Should clinicians recommend the use of pedometers for their adult patients to improve health outcomes? Bottom fine Pedometer use is associated with increased physical activity (average increase = 2,200 steps daily),...

Fondaparinux causes less bleeding than enoxaparin in ACS with PCI.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(acute coronary syndromes)(percutaneous coronary intervention)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Clinical question In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who are managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PC1), is fondaparinux as safe and effective as enoxaparin? Bottom line For patients with ACS who undergo PCI,...

Hepatitis A vaccine is similar to immune globulin for postexposure prophylaxis.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2008... Clinical question Is the hepatitis A vacine an alternative to immune globulin for postexposure prophylaxis? Bottom line Hepatitis A is a reasonable alternative to immune globulin. Advantages of the vaccine include the likelihood of...

Basal insulin is less effective but better tolerated than biphasic and prandial insulin.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
February 1, 2008... Clinical question Which is preferred--biphasic, prandial, or basal insulin--for patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus? Bottom line Patients choosing biphasic or prandial insulin regimens should be prepared to gain...

When a competent elderly man refuses nursing home placement.(PA QUANDARIES)
February 1, 2008... * CASE Mr. James is a 98-year-old single gentleman living with his 92-year-old brother in a one-bedroom apartment in a retirement complex. Mr. James grew up in Eastern Europe and immigrated to the United States in 1937. He is from a large...

A 13-year-old boy with a common athletic injury.(Diagnostic Imaging Review)
February 1, 2008... [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] * CASE A 13-year-old boy presented to the clinic for the evaluation of right hip pain. He stated that he was playing soccer and felt a "pop" after kicking the ball. On physical examination, his vital signs were...

PAs in otorhinolaryngology can take advantage of a number of outstanding CME sessions planned.(Specialty Update: FOCUS ON PA SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS)(physician assistant)(Continuing Medical Education)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... PAs in otorhinolaryngology can take advantage of a number of outstanding CME sessions planned for the AAPA's annual PA conference, May 24-29, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas. Here is a short list of the planned sessions. * Allergic,...

Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS).(Specialty Update: FOCUS ON PA SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... PAs in otorhinolaryngology are playing an ever-expanding role in patient care as hospitalists and on-call ear, nose, and throat (ENT)/facial trauma specialists. They also perform outpatient procedures, first assist in surgery, and perform...

PAs in cardiology and numerous other specialty areas will have many CME opportunities to choose from at the upcoming annual PA conference in San Antonio.(Specialty Update: FOCUS ON PA SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... PAs in cardiology and numerous other specialty areas will have many CME opportunities to choose from at the upcoming annual PA conference in San Antonio. Organizations representing the specialty areas have been working closely with the Academy...

Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiology (APAC).(Specialty Update: FOCUS ON PA SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... APAC provides a voice for PAS in cardiology through its relationships with AAPA, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association. APAC's goal is to strengthen that voice through increased membership. This focus will...

Case of the month.
February 1, 2008... [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] * CASE A 22-year-old white male presented to his primary care provider with a rash on the bottom of both feet. The patient said he had had the rash for 6 months and it was now getting worse. The rash began on the...