JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from May 2006

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from May 2006

AAPA and global women's health.(American Academy of Physician Assistants)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Professional Practice Council (PPC) will propose a resolution to the 2006 AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) opposing the "global gag rule," a federal policy that requires nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to agree, as a condition of receipt...

New PA competencies Web site unveiled.(American Academy of Physician Assistants)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... AAPA, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and the Physician Assistant Education Association (formerly the Association of Physician...

ARC-PA moves forward on postgraduate accreditation.(American Academy of Physician Assistants, Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... After years of consideration, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has decided to begin accrediting clinical postgraduate PA programs, possibly by 2007. According to a letter from ARC-PA...

The shortage of physicians and the implications for PAs.(physician assistants)
May 1, 2006... On January 30, 2006, the American College of Physicians (ACP) released a highly publicized report that predicted "the impending collapse of primary care." (1) With many primary care physicians heading toward retirement and fewer young...

A quick update in advanced cardiac life support. (IN THE NEWS: Commentary on advances in medicine.
May 1, 2006... November 28, 2005, heralded the launch of a new set of evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines. Because of prior criticism, the process was designed to be transparent to manage and minimize potential conflicts of interest...

He talks to me with his eyes.(spastic quadriplegia )(Column)
May 1, 2006... Because Javier Gonzalez, a 6-year-old boy with spastic quadriplegia and a shunt in his brain to drain off the excess CSF, could not speak; and because his mother spoke no English (even though she understood quite a bit of it), it was his...

AAPA membership opens doors for you!(American Academy of Physician Assistants)
May 1, 2006... Ensuring your ability to practice * On February 14, Ohio PAs and the AAPA cheered victory after Governor Taft signed into law a bill that will allow PAs to obtain prescribing authority. Ohio is the 49th state to enact such legislation,...

Acute systemic disseminated intravascular coagulation: managing a complex medical condition: in patients with major trauma, DIC approximately doubles the mortality rate. In those with sepsis, 30% to 50% develop DIC. The chance that you will encounter this coagulation disorder during clinical practice is quite high.(Disease/Disorder overview)
May 1, 2006... Acute systemic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex, acquired, life-threatening coagulation disorder. Its pathophysiology involves uncontrolled intravascular activation of coagulation with secondary fibrinolysis and...

Diagnosis and treatment of Meniere's disease: often frightening and debilitating, Meniere's disease sends patients on a desperate search for relief--and for an explanation for their condition. This article helps you to offer both.(Cover story)
May 1, 2006... Meniere's disease (MD) is a common reason for referrals to otolaryngology. (1) Although it is more poorly understood than many other disease processes, enough is known to make more frequent recognition and more appropriate treatment of MD...

CME post-test.
May 1, 2006... EXPIRATION DATE MAY 2007 AAPA members: Please take this CME post-test online at www.aapa.org. Kruger D. Acute systemic disseminated intravascular coagulation: managing a complex medical condition. JAAPA. 2006;19(5):28-32. Wittner...

The subcutaneous abscess beyond simple management: the incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is rising--only one fact that PAs must consider as they re-evaluate their approach to the patient with a subcutaneous abscess.
May 1, 2006... A subcutaneous abscess, a type of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), is the diagnosis in 1% to 2% of patients who present to the emergency department (ED). A review of the key diagnostic and treatment considerations is therefore important...

Should I have a whole body CT scan?(WHEN THE PATIENT ASKS: Brief reviews for you and your patients)
May 1, 2006... Whole body scanning (WBS) can be defined as a noncontrast CT examination that scans from the mandible to the groin and does not involve any bowel preparation. This test is being advertised to people as a way to detect preclinical evidence of...

Should I have a whole body CT scan?(PATIENT INFORMATION: From your physician assistant)
May 1, 2006... Whole body scanning is a relatively new test. You may have read about it or heard about it on TV or the radio. Whole body scanning is being advertised as a way to find certain diseases early, before they cause symptoms. When these diseases are...

A common and deadly misunderstanding.(DERMATOLOGY DIGEST: A derm photo quiz)
May 1, 2006... A 54-year-old man was referred to the dermatology clinic for evaluation of a lesion on his neck. The lesion had been present for an indeterminate period of time but was now becoming irritated by clothing. The patient had always spent a great...

A rare and painful deformity of the wrist.(THE SURGICAL PATIENT: In and around the OR)(Disease/Disorder overview)
May 1, 2006... A 13-year-old premenarchal female presented with a l-year history of left wrist pain and progressive flexion deformity. She described the pain as a dull ache, predominantly on the ulnar side, that increased throughout the day. The pain was...

Saw palmetto is ineffective for benign prostatic hyperplasia.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
May 1, 2006... Clinical question Does saw palmetto improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? Bottom line The authors of this rigorously designed trial found that saw palmetto produces no improvement in symptoms for men with moderate to...

Rimonabant (Acomplia) produces minimal weight loss.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)
May 1, 2006... Clinical question Is rimonabant effective for reducing weight in obese or overweight patients? Bottom line Rimonabant is minimally effective for obese or overweight patients for achieving sustained weight loss. Less than half the subjects...

Calcium plus vitamin D is modestly protective against fracture.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2006... Clinical question Does supplementation with 1,000 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D reduce the risk of fracture in healthy women? Bottom line The ability of a small dosage of calcium and vitamin D to prevent fractures in healthy...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA July 7-9 Physician Asistant Review Course for PANCE and PANRE. Where: Washington. Provider: George Washington University PA Program. Information: www.paboardreview.com. FLORIDA July 24-28 31st Annual...

PAs in cardiology.(physician assistants)
May 1, 2006... PAs in cardiology work in a wide variety of settings, including hospital inpatient units, group practices, emergency departments, and solo-physician offices. A growing concern is how to educate female patients that heart disease is a major...

The role of PAs in nephrology.(physician assistants)
May 1, 2006... The role of PAs in nephrology and the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well established. PAs can play a leading role in a variety of settings, such as dialysis units and anemia clinics, in providing primary care to patients with...

Case of the month: diagnostic challenges from your case files.(brain abscess)(Disease/Disorder overview)(Case study)
May 1, 2006... CASE The patient is a 14-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a complaint of a headache for 2 weeks. A week earlier, the adolescent had seen her family physician, who prescribed cefadroxil (Duricef) for...