PAFT Update

[PAFT PRESIDENT]

http://www.pasfortomorrow.org

 

see President's Message

Thanks-

PAFT President

[BruceBanner]

Thanks for all you that you do!! 

[EMEDPA]

The interval compromise has been to use "PA" for everything. the AAPA has removed "assistant" from all their literature. this is a short term solution. it will come up again and next time we all need to push for associate.

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

Medical practices then are like family. PAs and MAs. Couldn't resist. "Good night John boy. Good night Mary Ellen. Good night..."

[TWR]

Regarding PANRE. Poll to see who would like to continue written testing or using some other way to maintain the "C". Personally I think the 100 hours of CME or even more is ample to maintain the "C". IMO

[mmiller3]

Regarding PANRE. Poll to see who would like to continue written testing or using some other way to maintain the "C". Personally I think the 100 hours of CME or even more is ample to maintain the "C". IMO

 

I couldn't agree more. NPs are doing just fine without having any silly re-certification test.

[Reality Check 2]

Refer to the thread where the new grad NP killed an ER patient.

Her training had NO ER.

 

I think to maintain our profession as adequately trained we have to continue certification  - much like the docs - a 10 year plan with CME - I would want my certification to reflect that of the doc I work with - AAFP guidelines.

 

I think it gives us more to stand on as far as educational standards and expectations.

[mmiller3]

Refer to the thread where the new grad NP killed an ER patient.

Her training had NO ER.

 

I think to maintain our profession as adequately trained we have to continue certification  - much like the docs - a 10 year plan with CME - I would want my certification to reflect that of the doc I work with - AAFP guidelines.

 

I think it gives us more to stand on as far as educational standards and expectations.

 

Honestly, I don't see what that incident has to do with PAs as a whole needing to take a re-cert test every x amount of years. That incident was (apparently) a mix of poor training, bad decision-making by the NP and the hiring committee, and a good deal of arrogance. She was also a new-grad, so I fail to see how a re-cert test would have changed anything.

 

NPs as a whole are charging further and further ahead, while we stand somewhat idly by hoping to curry favor with the powers that be by sticking with a similar set of standards. I see dozens upon dozens of NP-only jobs available; I rarely see the PA-only positions anywhere. It's time to let go of the idea that our extra training and re-cert testing is getting us anywhere.

[Reality Check 2]

Honestly, I don't see what that incident has to do with PAs as a whole needing to take a re-cert test every x amount of years. That incident was (apparently) a mix of poor training, bad decision-making by the NP and the hiring committee, and a good deal of arrogance. She was also a new-grad, so I fail to see how a re-cert test would have changed anything.

 

NPs as a whole are charging further and further ahead, while we stand somewhat idly by hoping to curry favor with the powers that be by sticking with a similar set of standards. I see dozens upon dozens of NP-only jobs available; I rarely see the PA-only positions anywhere. It's time to let go of the idea that our extra training and re-cert testing is getting us anywhere.

So, let's separate ourselves from the NPs by aligning ourselves with the medical model we were trained on.

 

If my doc is AAFP boarded every ten years and does CME - so should I.

 

I don't mind the recert part as long as it is relevant and appropriate to what I do. We still have to consider that PAs CAN switch specialties and aren't necessarily residency trained into any one specialty. Some of us have worked in multiple specialties - on purpose - to build a strong tool box of skills and knowledge. 

 

The certification and recert are going to remain important and CAN help us set ourselves apart by showing a commitment to knowledge and competency just as the MD/DO board certs do.

 

Align ourselves with the model we represent, not the model we resent. Be the better profession.

[Acebecker]

Re-boarding is a no-brainer to me.  It is very common among our physician colleagues.  Enhancing the number of areas we can board in makes sense as well (e.g. "I'm a dual boarded generalist as well as hospital PA").  Hospitalist docs get hired all the time in rural areas without having a board cert and get it later, so I don't think that having additional specialty areas we *can* board in will reduce the lateral mobility of the profession which we all esteem so highly. 

[mmiller3]

So, let's separate ourselves from the NPs by aligning ourselves with the medical model we were trained on.

 

If my doc is AAFP boarded every ten years and does CME - so should I.

 

I don't mind the recert part as long as it is relevant and appropriate to what I do. We still have to consider that PAs CAN switch specialties and aren't necessarily residency trained into any one specialty. Some of us have worked in multiple specialties - on purpose - to build a strong tool box of skills and knowledge. 

 

The certification and recert are going to remain important and CAN help us set ourselves apart by showing a commitment to knowledge and competency just as the MD/DO board certs do.

 

Align ourselves with the model we represent, not the model we resent. Be the better profession.

 

You seem very close to your SP; that's great, but it doesn't really explain why we as a profession should be subjected to a ridiculous test, even if it is every ten years. Re-cert has not shown to improve anything so far; in my opinion, it is just one more hoop to jump through at the behest of our NCCPA overlords (with a modest fee attached, of course).

 

I don't resent NPs or there model in any way; in fact, I envy the way they have cast off the traditional MD-dominated model. I work with several NPs who are all as competent as the PAs, without any pesky re-cert test.

[Reality Check 2]

I have been around long enough to see MDs LOSE their board certification mostly based on age and memory issues.

The 10 yr board exam is kind of like retesting driving skills as we age - it helps objectively weed out those who shouldn't be driving anymore.

 

I don't want to see an aging PA become less proficient or fail to keep up with current treatment because our testing becomes ONE AND DONE.

 

I AM close with my SP but moreso - I am in Family Practice for the long haul. I align myself with the AAFP and firmly believe I should be held to their standards.

 

Unless we recert everyone - those who aren't competent or start to fail will not be caught and we increase our liability by not having a national certification process. Folks can practice unmonitored and become dangerous and a pariah to our profession.

 

In an effort to show our commitment to our profession and dedication to staying current on treatment - there has to be an objective measure. CME isn't that hard - it is time consuming and sometimes tedious but is fairly anonymous - it could be done by my kid or a hired hand. The ONLY way to know that I myself, me, in person, has the knowledge and skills of my profession is a test - yep, a test. 

 

So, recert doesn't bother me. I think the NPs are lacking by not having it.