Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey guys, I cameacross this article/snippet on the Yahoo home page. Good Morning America justdid a story on a 17 year old boy who impersonated himself as a PhysicianAssistant. That is not the part that gets me, the part that gets me is theamount of times he is NOT referred to as a Physician Assistant. What's yourcount of the amount of times? We are referred to as a Physician AIDE, Medical Assistant, and severaltimes as a Physician's Assistant, none of which are correct. I hope the linkworks, if not, please forgive me (but let me know). http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/doogie-howser-wannabee-busted-in-florida-accused-of-impersonating-physician-s-assistant-26520506.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fhealth-15749655%252Fdoogie-howser-wannabe-busted-in-florida-accused-of-impersonating-physician-s-assistant-26520506.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annemarreb Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey guys, I cameacross this article/snippet on the Yahoo home page. Good Morning America justdid a story on a 17 year old boy who impersonated himself as a PhysicianAssistant. That is not the part that gets me, the part that gets me is theamount of times he is NOT referred to as a Physician Assistant. What's yourcount of the amount of times? We are referred to as a Physician AIDE, Medical Assistant, and severaltimes as a Physician's Assistant, none of which are correct. I hope the linkworks, if not, please forgive me (but let me know). http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/doogie-howser-wannabee-busted-in-florida-accused-of-impersonating-physician-s-assistant-26520506.html#crsl=%2Fvideo%2Fhealth-15749655%2Fdoogie-howser-wannabe-busted-in-florida-accused-of-impersonating-physician-s-assistant-26520506.html Yep. This thread talked about this article: http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forums/showthread.php/32617-17-year-old-arrested-for-impersonating-PA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crieman Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I was talking to some people around work, RN's, social workers, etc. about the possibility of a name change and none of them thought it would make a bit of difference in how the public perceives our profession. I'm beginning to agree with them. I don't necessarily think that it's a problem with the name, its a problem with a lack of the public's awareness. If we had stronger representation I don't think that the name would matter that much. Yes, I hate the name but making it physician associate likely wouldn't change a thing. I guarantee that you would still have to explain to people what you do. If PA's put the same amount of energy into petitioning the AAPA for more aggressive campaigning I think we would get further. Unfortunately, 75% of the PA's I know aren't members of the AAPA because "they've never done anything for me." I've heard this so many times. Not that I don't feel the same way but you can't have it both ways. I'm guilty of this myself. I would be interested to see how many of the people who belong to this forum are also members of the AAPA. Just my 2 cent ramble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecilia Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I am a member of both CAPA and AAPA. Nobody will be able to do anything without economic support. I have also heard the same "They have never done anything for me", so my answer is either get involved politically or give them money so that at least there is the possibility of having things done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Savage Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 We could use the name change to GET recognized. If we pushed and I mean really pushed hard for the name change it is bound to draw publicity, negative and positive. Regardless of whether they are for or against the name change they would have to explain what a PA is. SO even if the name change fails we still get recognition. It is a win win. AAPA already put out a statement that they will never support any large campaign to explain to the masses what a PA is and does. We need a national issue and good timing. Both are in place now that we have a PA in congress and an issue that could be pushed nationally. We will either get mass recognition and a name change, or mass recognition and no name change. Either way we win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted September 6, 2011 Moderator Share Posted September 6, 2011 I would be interested to see how many of the people who belong to this forum are also members of the AAPA. Just my 2 cent ramble. member of both my state agency and AAPA I always get my job to pay for it I think we all should have our jobs pay for it and then it is not even $$ out of our pockets! it does NO good to gripe about our lack of national standing and then not be a member of both your state and national agency... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejfox Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 The AAPA has never really helped us, and I don't think it ever will. It needs to be buried and something we control put in it's place. The director simply has a plush position with a good salary. If we don't take a stand, we may well go into extinction and just be an old museum display. Right now I don't see anything existing that will help us on a national level. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I think our profession is in deep trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I was talking to some people around work, RN's, social workers, etc. about the possibility of a name change and none of them thought it would make a bit of difference in how the public perceives our profession. I'm beginning to agree with them. I don't necessarily think that it's a problem with the name, its a problem with a lack of the public's awareness. If we had stronger representation I don't think that the name would matter that much. Yes, I hate the name but making it physician associate likely wouldn't change a thing. I guarantee that you would still have to explain to people what you do. If PA's put the same amount of energy into petitioning the AAPA for more aggressive campaigning I think we would get further. Unfortunately, 75% of the PA's I know aren't members of the AAPA because "they've never done anything for me." I've heard this so many times. Not that I don't feel the same way but you can't have it both ways. I'm guilty of this myself. I would be interested to see how many of the people who belong to this forum are also members of the AAPA.Just my 2 cent ramble. It’s funny that social workers and RNs think the name/title change won’t make a difference.... Social Workers who also call themselves Social Services Coordinators and Discharge Planners and Case Managers... RNs who hold claim to more alphabet soup and specialty designations that PA/MD/DO combined..... But I gues if someone asked me about a nmae change on a profession that I am not a member of and have no real understanding of, i’d probably be indifferent about it too. If Physical Therapists wanted to start calling themselves Doctorate Clinical Rehab Specialists, most of us would say “probably won’t make a difference” Talking to front line PAs who can cite dozens of stories about how “assistant” hurt them means a lot more. Furthermore the Associate name change advocates aren’t saying (never said) that we change the name and everything is better. The name change is part of a rebranding on multiple fronts about what PAs are, and what we do. Names and perception matter. We need a coherent definition of what we are before we can progress to explaining the details of what we do. And it’s simple- assistants aren’t professionals. AAPA already put out a statement that they will never support any large campaign to explain to the masses what a PA is and does. As far as I know the AAPA has always said “at this time our resources don’t support it” etc....not that they would NEVER support it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejfox Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 It appears to me there is not enough interest in our profession to stand up and fight for it. The problem is universal: apathy, words and no action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Interest on whose behalf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejfox Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Concern for the PAs by the PAs. I wonder if it's fear that prevents us from action. Fear of what the AAPA could and would do to us, if we all forsook it and decided to truly stand up and fight for our profession. I was out jogging last week, using a different course. A school road-guard asked me what I did for a living as I passed him. I told him I was a physician assistant. He had no clue what I did, but he did know what NPs are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Sorry, I didn't realize, that this was already posted on, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 I was talking to some people around work, RN's, social workers, etc. about the possibility of a name change and none of them thought it would make a bit of difference in how the public perceives our profession. I'm beginning to agree with them. I don't necessarily think that it's a problem with the name, its a problem with a lack of the public's awareness. If we had stronger representation I don't think that the name would matter that much. Yes, I hate the name but making it physician associate likely wouldn't change a thing. I guarantee that you would still have to explain to people what you do. If PA's put the same amount of energy into petitioning the AAPA for more aggressive campaigning I think we would get further. Unfortunately, 75% of the PA's I know aren't members of the AAPA because "they've never done anything for me." I've heard this so many times. Not that I don't feel the same way but you can't have it both ways. I'm guilty of this myself. I would be interested to see how many of the people who belong to this forum are also members of the AAPA. Just my 2 cent ramble. Hey Crieman, I do indeed agree that the lack of representation compounds this problem. I am a member of the AAPA and NCAPA. Sometimes I wonder why, but I know it is to tackle the big problems. However, shouldn't the #1 issue be educating the public on what a PA is? I simply just can't believe that this isn't being done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 The AAPA has never really helped us, and I don't think it ever will.It needs to be buried and something we control put in it's place. The director simply has a plush position with a good salary. If we don't take a stand, we may well go into extinction and just be an old museum display. Right now I don't see anything existing that will help us on a national level. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I think our profession is in deep trouble. I agree on all fronts. So, how do we all get started at taking a stand? I think the petition was an excellent start (for the name change), but how do we get started on taking a stand essentially demanding that the AAPA starts educating the public on the very profession it embodies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Concern for the PAs by the PAs. I wonder if it's fear that prevents us from action. Fear of what the AAPA could and would do to us, if we all forsook it and decided to truly stand up and fight for our profession. I was out jogging last week, using a different course. A school road-guard asked me what I did for a living as I passed him. I told him I was a physician assistant. He had no clue what I did, but he did know what NPs are. LOLOLOL. Perfect example. I'm not afraid of what the AAPA will do, I am afraid of what they won't do, as evidenced by the public still not having any clue what we do. Sure, the show "ER" helped slightly, but I don't see any other medical shows coming to our aid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Concern for the PAs by the PAs. I wonder if it's fear that prevents us from action. Fear of what the AAPA could and would do to us, if we all forsook it and decided to truly stand up and fight for our profession. I was out jogging last week, using a different course. A school road-guard asked me what I did for a living as I passed him. I told him I was a physician assistant. He had no clue what I did, but he did know what NPs are. I don't think apathy on the part of PAs is the problem. The problem is there is no venue for them to pursue their goals. The name change group is living almost 100% off the initiative of 2 or 3 PAs, Dave Mittman and Bob Blumm being the main guys. THat sort of grass roots movement is great but PAs shouldn't have to be out there on their own for all the less volatile issues like practice rights, scope, representation at the state level etc. The AAPA has a well defined agenda which seems to be on a separate track from the majority of PAs- explaining declining membership etc. They DO have an infrastructure in place, and burying the organization is probably extreme. It needs to be rebranded and reguided to the benefit of PA practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I agree on all fronts. So, how do we all get started at taking a stand? I think the petition was an excellent start (for the name change), but how do we get started on taking a stand essentially demanding that the AAPA starts educating the public on the very profession it embodies? The leadership answer is for you to be a national and state association member, and get invovled with committee work. State leader PAs have come on this forum and said so, and moreso, that if you are NOT active in the organization you have no right to complain. I don't agree with the latter but there are places for you to get involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 LOLOLOL. Perfect example. I'm not afraid of what the AAPA will do, I am afraid of what they won't do, as evidenced by the public still not having any clue what we do. Sure, the show "ER" helped slightly, but I don't see any other medical shows coming to our aid! We don't need TV shows, unless it was a REAL reality show about REAL PA practice. Showing the highlights of PAs working with autonomy. Like Mike Jones' headache clinic, EMEDPA's solo ED coverage etc. More importantly we need a media blitz that reinforces a small group of buzzwords/topics that people will remember. Eg the recent poster I saw from the AAPA said something like "I''m a PA. Ask me what that is." This is ridiculous IMO. We live in an "immediate information", text message friendly world. It should be spelled out short and to the point. Physician Associates practice medicine. For this drug, ask your doctor, physician associate or nurse practitioner. etc..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejfox Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 If we're not afraid of the AAPA, why not stand up to it and demand it do what it's getting paid to do. Again, I'm just sharing my lone opinion. I would be a part/join something replacing the AAPA and becoming really our voice/force in the dark. Frankly, I'm not a member of AAPA. I have never heard much good coming from the organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saldutti Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey Andersen, I was just joking about the TV show, I completely agree, we do not need a TV show. We clearly do not need a poster suggesting the patients ask what a PA is either. A media blitz, like a PSA (public service announcement), definitely. I would gladly donate money for that. So, how would one go about doing that? I realize this is a big topic and off topic, but I think we should get something like a PSA started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayce Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I have only been a PA 6 years, but in that time I have seen the nurse practitioners in my state petition for one thing after another as a group effort. I have not seen much political action on the part of PA's. This is disturbing and I wish I knew how to get more involved in making a difference. There is a place for NP's and PA's but as someone who has several members of my family who are PA's in other states, NP's are taking over because they fight for what they want and they get it. PA's need some sort of representation and I'm not sure changing our name will do it. It's making the public aware of our positions like NPs do. Several physicians I have spoke with didn't understand the role of PA's and simply hired NPs because "they wouldn't have to review every one of their charts and sign all their scripts." I don't have a solution but I do feel that although our job is important and secure in most places, we need to start asking for what we want as a whole and education the public as to what we do in a major way. As to how? I, like most, have no clue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayce Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 And if you search for job openings on almost any job search site...most places are no longer hiring NP/PAs or PA's...It's a majority NPs that are in demand. There is a shift and I believe it is due to the public and professional misunderstanding of our role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Savage Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 As far as I know the AAPA has always said “at this time our resources don’t support it” etc....not that they would NEVER support it. OK Bad choice of words... I remember them saying something about it not considering a national campaign to educate on PA's and that we all just need to educate our patients with word of mouth and good patient practice. I thought now would be a perfect time... never has their been more PA programs and practicing PA's and now there is a PA in congress. If they are saying that they do not have the resources now... then will they ever have the resources? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayce Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I think PAs need to figure out what we want as a whole, as simple as that sounds. Is it understanding, recognition, autonomy, equality, equal reimbursement, less supervision, more or less of what exactly? I think we have some great chances to fight for what we want at this time, but other than a name change what is it we want exactly. There are so many issues we could organize and obtain to remain competitive. Although one of the physicians I spoke with stated that NP-PhD's are trying to put themselves in direct competition with MD's. And that that will lead to a giant slap down really quick like. Maybe it's just me but I feel like we're all riled up for a big change and big revolution...we have the power, the people, and now the opportunity...we just forgot to ask what it is we are fighting for exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houstonian Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Public relations needs to start with an appropriate name. Imagine trying to pass yourself off as a competent CEO if your name was "Bozo the Clown". Imagine trying to display a professional image as a physician if your name happens to be "Nancy Nurse". Our NAME is "Physician Assistant". This tells the public that we are assistants to the physician. It does NOT tell them that we share many of the same tasks and responsibilities as a physician, diagnose and treat diseases, and prescribe medicines but work with the physician's supervision/collaboration. Physician Associate better reflects the nature of our responsibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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