How do you deal with...

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

To the people here who feel we need more autonomy: how do you deal with other PAs when then actively say the opposite. I work with a fellow Navy PA who believes that PAs should never work by themselves (like in a rural ER or clinic), that "we are trained to do what the doctor wants us to do" (to which I responded I'm trained to practice EBM, which made them mad), and that the push for autonomy is pissing everyone off.

 

I don't want to get into a discussion of whether I'm right or not, because usually I just shrug my shoulders and agree to disagree because I'll only waste my breathe trying to convince them otherwise, but these topics come up in front of others and wonder how like minded PA respond to prevent this mindset of "PAs are dependent practitioners" from being instilled in others without becoming confrontational.

[ventana]

I would suggest pointing out that NO ONE practice in a silo

 

We ALL refer and ask for help

 

The FPA is that we are not linked to another profession which can control us like a puppet (to their benefit not ours)

Point out that he is not running every case by the Doc, that he decides the A/P on HIS patients and that this FPA is just to allow PA's to run PA's profession.....

 

All else fails agree to disagree...

[sk732]

Being a military trained PA, I was expected to be able to work alone comfortably, but in consultation if needed...and be comfortable in knowing when I had to consult.

 

Consider bouncing this back at them - if they were a battalion medical officer with the FMF, would they be on the radio to a battalion or brigade surgeon every time someone got sick or injured "to do what they wanted done"?

 

Like ventana says, we don't work in silos, however, they still have to look after their patients...if they're at the point that they are still consulting on every patient that they see, there is a bit of a problem somewhere.

 

SK

[JohnnyM2]

To the people here who feel we need more autonomy: how do you deal with other PAs when then actively say the opposite. I work with a fellow Navy PA who believes that PAs should never work by themselves (like in a rural ER or clinic), that "we are trained to do what the doctor wants us to do" (to which I responded I'm trained to practice EBM, which made them mad), and that the push for autonomy is pissing everyone off.

Could it be that they just don't appreciate your confrontational attitude?

[Reality Check 2]

It is not confrontational in my mind.

 

I know several PAs who do not want their umbilical cords cut - they do not want the responsibility, independent decision making but they want the big bucks - usually in Ortho or some other highly dependent surgical discipline. 

 

I do not agree and am not shy about it.

 

I ask those who don't want autonomy what job they would have chosen if PA had not existed at all.

 

Most say Medical School. After I intensely stare at them quietly for a bit - they realize their shoe is firmly lodged in an orifice and they shut up.

 

Own up folks - we are trained on a medical model and know what we are doing (or should) and if you couldn't fly solo in an emergency - walk away.

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

Could it be that they just don't appreciate your confrontational attitude?

The only confrontational one between us is you, Tim. Did something suddenly spark you to come on here and reply to my posts? Bad day selling lasers?

[8404PA]

Being a military trained PA, I was expected to be able to work alone comfortably, but in consultation if needed...and be comfortable in knowing when I had to consult.

 

Consider bouncing this back at them - if they were a battalion medical officer with the FMF, would they be on the radio to a battalion or brigade surgeon every time someone got sick or injured "to do what they wanted done"?

 

Like ventana says, we don't work in silos, however, they still have to look after their patients...if they're at the point that they are still consulting on every patient that they see, there is a bit of a problem somewhere.

 

SK

 

 

^^^ this

The unit that took over for us in Afghanistan had a PA as the ass. Battalion surgeon and was the only provider, except for the HMs, within the AO.