Introduction As a specialty in the United States, family medicine outnumbers all other medical specialties for both physicians and physician assistant (PAs). Physicians practicing in family medicine make up the largest percentage of the total physician workforce and, as shown…
Learning objectives After completing this chapter, the reader will be able to: 1. Review practical suggestions on maintaining personal safety when on clinical rotations. 2. Summarize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations on universal precautions associated with…
Introduction to the clinical phase Welcome to the clinical phase of your education! This year is the critical link between being a student and graduate physician assistant (PA). Through the guidance of your preceptors, faculty, and peers, you will have…
Cultural competence The term cultural competence has a variety of definitions but perhaps the most relevant for physician assistants (PAs) is Betancourt‘s 2002 definition: Cultural competence in health care describes the ability of systems to provide care to patients with…
Introduction Patient education is an integral part of every health care interaction. It is one of the most powerful tools that a health care provider can use to influence positive changes in health and wellness for patients. Whether the patient…
Learning objectives 1) Define distracted doctoring and how it influences patient safety outcomes. 2) Describe the “iPatient” and its relationship toward patient-centered care. 3) Identify issues relating to personal electronic device and computer addiction, noise, distraction, and contamination. 4) Describe…
“Primum non plus nocere quam succurrere.” Above all else, do not harm more than succor. Introduction The consequences of poor communication in the delivery of health care can be dire, to say the least. Ultimately, poor communication can lead to…
Objectives Integrate the World Health Organization steps to rational prescribing into the Physician Assistant practice. Synthesize an evidence-based approach to prescribing medication. Analyze research data related to the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and patient considerations across the age continuum. Apply the pharmacotherapeutic…
Introduction Chronic conditions are the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States today. In 2014, 60% of U. S. adults had at least one chronic disease, and 42% had more than one chronic condition. Diabetes alone…
Overview The completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) has changed how human health and disease is viewed. Physician assistants (PAs) practicing in this postgenomic age of medicine have an important role to play. First, this means PAs can take…