jmj11 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 So, I came down with some GI bug (I think food-borne) crud in the middle of the night. I still felt awful this morning so instead of going for my Saturday morning run, I laid in bed for two hours watching a broadcast of a a seminar being held in Seattle by the Harvard Business and Medical schools plus Mayo Clinic. It was about innovations in healthcare and if they are good or bad for the future. My summary, it was a freaken pep-rally for NPs . . . by MDs. Spotlighted was the tele-stroke program run by Mayo and Swedish where a NP is on the other end diagnosing acute strokes and recommending TPA - or not. Then they looked at retail clinics and the role of NPs in that setting. They discussed the fears about them (you know them all) and then disproved each fear one by one. The Harvard physician was emphatic that NPs = MDs in the quality of care and they are the future of healthcare cost containment. One of the biggest obstacles to NPs, per the speaker, were the restrictions on their scope of practice. So, I heard NPs mentioned at least 100 times. PAs? Not once. Not even alluded to ("Midlevels"). Absolutely nothing. There is a problem here folks. We are not on the radar of the thought leaders at this juncture.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 26, 2014 we're just assistants, why would we want to help further the american healthcare system? don't we just go to school to help doctors with instruments and taking BPs and stuff? This all goes back to our name and the lack of PR concerning our profession. most americans think we are medical assistants, until that changes, nothing else will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm7 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Yikes, this is quite disconcerting to a student soon to begin his career. Goooo PAFT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 26, 2014 classic..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Yikes! This is bad. Is there a link to the broadcast somewhere for others to watch it? We need to find a DVD of it and send to AAPA. Hey, PAFT is doing all we can BUT we need all hands on deck. Join us and get involved. There is something terribly wrong when Mayo clinic and Harvard Business and Medical Schools ignore PAs. I just got a postcard in the mail today advertising PA careers from Mayo. I am getting concerned more and more for the PA profession........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amina Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Very disconcerting indeed. This is some of the most disappointing news concerning the future of PAs I've seen on this forum. What can be done to elevate the status of PAs? They should at least be on par with NPs...at least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMD16 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Long road ahead. Am not surprise one bit. Seen it many times plays out, particularly, in large academic ctr. Yeah. Innovation in healthcare like having them perform colons-copy at John's Hopkins. A total BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 I know many of us have lost faith in AAPA but they need to know about this. I posted on Clinician 1. Revolution Needed. Or we demand to take NP boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matchb0x Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 And this hits keep on coming....I have a nursing degree (easiest means to support family with GI bill in healthcare) but have wanted to go to PA school as I admire the style of PA education and have much more respect for the medical educational model vs the Nursing model. But as I struggle to pay bills and support my family the options before me are: -i have to somehow take 3-4 more classes (with good grades) than take the GRE and then apply to PA school, than not work for ~2yrs just to achieve assistant and second run status? -Or, I could just apply to NP school this second and bite the bullet that is nursing education, and make sure i study hard, do extra clinicals and ensure im hooked up with an excellent preceptor so that I learn as much as i can, all while be able to work and support my family (very important). It just seems like becoming a PA is like some kind of altruistic sacrifice and becoming an NP is just logical. It makes me mad cuz I really DONT want to be an NP. but why the eff should I take on the profession of PA that, although it has existed for like 6 decades and has a far stronger claim to legitimate clinician education, has gotten passed and frankly embarrassed on a national stage by upstart nursing lobbys? What can I look that that would suggest that it would ever change? I am just shaking my head in disgust right now. CMON AAPA, you are getting your ass kicked and are losing future PAs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdpac Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Has anyone actually sent this to AAPA yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parnemt Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 And this hits keep on coming....I have a nursing degree (easiest means to support family with GI bill in healthcare) but have wanted to go to PA school as I admire the style of PA education and have much more respect for the medical educational model vs the Nursing model. But as I struggle to pay bills and support my family the options before me are: -i have to somehow take 3-4 more classes (with good grades) than take the GRE and then apply to PA school, than not work for ~2yrs just to achieve assistant and second run status? -Or, I could just apply to NP school this second and bite the bullet that is nursing education, and make sure i study hard, do extra clinicals and ensure im hooked up with an excellent preceptor so that I learn as much as i can, all while be able to work and support my family (very important). It just seems like becoming a PA is like some kind of altruistic sacrifice and becoming an NP is just logical. It makes me mad cuz I really DONT want to be an NP. but why the eff should I take on the profession of PA that, although it has existed for like 6 decades and has a far stronger claim to legitimate clinician education, has gotten passed and frankly embarrassed on a national stage by upstart nursing lobbys? What can I look that that would suggest that it would ever change? I am just shaking my head in disgust right now. CMON AAPA, you are getting your ass kicked and are losing future PAs. Well said. -pa-s, rn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
physasst Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Sigh, I wish I could say I was surprised, but I am not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Just glad I'm near the tail end and not the beginning. No way I'd make the same decision knowing what I know now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 27, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 27, 2014 Just glad I'm near the tail end and not the beginning. No way I'd make the same decision knowing what I know now. yup. I still have 20 + years to practice , but am looking at other exit strategies like teaching, overseas work, etc. If I was staring over I would definitely go to med school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm7 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Oh you old timers. Endlessly encouraging to us up and comers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm7 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 ^^^^ Also full of great advice and wisdom, I should add. For which I have great appreciation. But geez! Depressing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 27, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 27, 2014 ^^^^ Also full of great advice and wisdom, I should add. For which I have great appreciation. But geez! Depressing... yup. it is what it is....go rural and you should have a lot fewer problems with autonomy and respect. I hope to end up in full time rural practice in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm7 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 That is actually encouraging. I'm hoping to enter rural family practice when I graduate. Also, good luck with your future practice. I always appreciate it when you share your perspective. Truly very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primadonna22274 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 This is heartbreaking. I feel guilty sometimes for leaving the profession--then I read something like this and I'm so glad I did go back to med school. I just couldn't stand the notion of 30 more years of being the invisible yet dependable PA doing the actual work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Ultimately, in an urban area, security will be in an institutional setting (med school, etc.), ED/urgent care, or VA. BTW, though some of us "senior folks" may seem to be the voice of gloom/doom, remember that we also took a significant risk on the front end by getting into a relatively unknown profession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 27, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 27, 2014 took a significant risk on the front end by getting into a relatively unknown profession. you mean like folks who graduate this year.....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Touché as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
physasst Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 This is heartbreaking. I feel guilty sometimes for leaving the profession--then I read something like this and I'm so glad I did go back to med school. I just couldn't stand the notion of 30 more years of being the invisible yet dependable PA doing the actual work. Why do you think I'm trying to move into research full time? LOL.....Similar feelings here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMD16 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 This is heartbreaking. I feel guilty sometimes for leaving the profession--then I read something like this and I'm so glad I did go back to med school. I just couldn't stand the notion of 30 more years of being the invisible yet dependable PA doing the actual work. Stay connected to the profession as you've done Lisa. Use your new position and role to advocate for the PA profession. Will be following your foot step most likely next session and that's what I intend to do. For now, I'm researching the DHSc >>> PhD tract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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