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Another interesting take on this, I'm writing a novel (thriller) with a PA protagonist. I just finished a phase where I had beta readers (like a focus group for writers) read it and give me feed-back. All three non-PA readers, one with a PhD in creative writing, one with a PhD in sociology and teaches at a small college and the third, all non medical, made the same tone of comments. The PA's role seems unrealistic, steps outside his boundaries, doesn't get permission from the doctor for some of the things he's done. I've painted the role of the PA in very realistic terms, with him either doing

I'm going to make a statement at the bottom of this and I'm interested in your take on it. I will say that I'm not dogmatic on it. But in 1981, when I began my career as a PA we were told, "Soon the world will know who we are and respect our profession." After completing a 38 year career, recently I had two conversations with laypeople that stood out to me. These were both college educated, but older 60s and 70s. Both are recent (1-2 year) friends. The first one made the comment, "PAs can't have independent judgement, but only carry out the specific orders of a doctor whereas the NP

After a long career, and the first part during the difficult years of being a PA (1980s) and several job changes, I started to leave off one 6-month job and a moonlighting job for the sake of brevity. The only time it became an issue was when I was suing a hospital for breach of contract years later they tried to pin in on me during a deposition as if I were hiding something they had found during their "discover" phase. I gave them the phone number and told them to call the employers that were not mentioned on my CV (left both with good standings). It became a mute point and I prevailed in the

I am waiting for someone with more current information to chime in, but historically the American-trained Physician Assistant was not recognized in China. I would do a lot of research into it first. We had a house guest for 3 years from China, doing her nursing studies in the US. She had planned on staying here but then love pulled her back to China. I know that her transition to Chinese nursing after training here was easy. But the PA role is another matter. I lived overseas in the 80s-90s and the PA profession was not recognized in most places I live.

I don't know if others were in this boat. I started the pilot two years ago. At that time (2018) I paid my dues and submitted my full CME. But it takes 2 years to complete the exam, which I did in December. When I got a notice I had passed, in the back of my mind, I was thinking I was set until 2022. But understand I was quite distracted by the fact I'm not working right now and was focused on staying alive. However, I went to the NCCPA web site in Feb, and realized that I owed fees for 2020 AND needed 100 hrs of CME. I rushed and finished the CME in about three weeks and hastily paid the fees

Related question, if I decide to keep my cert, having just finished the re-cert and paid the fees, the only thing lack is Cat I CME. I know this question has been asked before, but for an update, where is the best place to get free Cat I CME online? I always had mine via conferences.

I have to decide if I keep my cert by the end of March. The only thing I lack is Cat I CME. With my COVID vaccinations done (had work restriction due to bone marrow transplant) I could go back to work if I wanted. I miss it, but other times I don't. Am staying busy writing, hiking daily, building a stone cottage, but there are times I miss medicine. I have two more years on my disability, which ends if I draw a salary, so it makes no fannical difference to me. But it raised he intriguing question if people loved medicine enough to do it for nothing.

I'm curious as I'm at this juncture. If working made no difference to your income, would you continue working as a PA, or pursue your other interests?

I have not seen the 2021 E&M guidelines, but if that is the way they are written, then it will be the death of the full exam. Money and time-saving, always trumps. I'm not saying that is a bad thing (although it doesn't feel good to me) but the question stands if this is good for medicine? Is the hands-on exam superfluous? What about, as mentioned, the human aspect of face to face time and touch? Are we heading to a Dr. Jones on Star Trek medicine, a hand-held device that does a full body scan and finds any abnormal state and not touching required? I'm a great believer in the con

This is a question for new graduates as well as us old timers. When I was in PA school, we had a very good course on the art of the history and physical exam (taught by Glen Combs). It was emphasized with use, that our sight, touch, smell, and feel, using nothing more than our eyes, pocket scopes was how we make a diagnosis and labs, X ray, (we didn't have MRI or good US) only confirmed what we had figured out. We measured organs with percussion and a tape measure, etc. We knew what each heart valve was doing, or not doing by auscultation. I have the sense that young doctors (haven't obse

Not bad. For someone with a GFR of 23 and a HGB of 12, I feel pretty good. Climbed our local mountain twice this week with a snow-shoeing trip in between. I’m working hard on my eight book, a novel with a protagonist that’s a PA and fate assigns him the task of saving the entire world. Working hard to make it the best book I’ve written and one to make PAs proud. Will hopefully hit the market in the latter half of 2021. Will become a COVID vaccinator as soon as my own vaccine has had time to kick in. I hope you are doing well.

Ventana reminded me of something. I did work a PT job in an industrial clinic while at a headache center in Michigan, then when I was a headache specialist at Mayo, I volunteered at a Salvation Army free clinic and moonlighted doing a fast track in a local ED. So, it was rare that I only did a subspeciality. So I agree with Ventana's comments.

Long time ago, 1991-94

I observed something today that caused me to stop and think. Sign makers were replacing a clinic sig nwith one for a laundromat and there is a story behind that. This space is in a good location in the center of our town. About ten years ago, it came open when the previous optometrist office built a new building. I had been contemplating opening an urgent care clinic in our city and that space caught my eye. Our local medical groups had wait times for weeks and most did not offer same day service. We have a level III ED at the hospital that had a very low satisfaction score for minor ailm

So they advertised for a PA, but then told you that they can't consider you because you're a PA? Sorry for your experience with this. Did they state why? I've seen practices, hospitals that prefer NPs (and that's another discussion). I would love to know why in this case.