|
|
What
are "Physician Assistants?"
Bob who has been a PA since 1984 says, "When asked what I do by
someone who has not had experience with a 'PA' my answer is
generally that 'I practice medicine as a physician assistant.'"
He even recalls someone saying, "Oh yeah, I think my
doctor is a PA!
The profession of physician assistants began after the Viet
Nam war, when Dr. Eugene Stead realized that the surplus of
medics who had frontline war experience could learn to extend
the services of physicians. Fortunately (for
PA's), the initial
thought of having R.N.'s become PA's was rejected by the nursing
bureaucracy that govern nursing. Later nurses realized their mistake
and began training Nurse Practitioners in the same model as
PA's. Last year we learned of the death of the great Dr., in
June 2005 at age 96. The PA profession owes him everything.
Thanks Dr. Stead. Happy landings to you wherever your next
flight takes you. The role of the PA has expanded over the
years, and there are over 50,000 practicing PA's in the United
States. The profession is certified by a national commission, (NCCPA)
which administers exams, and re-certification exams. PA's
practice family medicine, emergency medicine, surgical
assisting, orthopedics, dermatology, urology, neurology, and all
the other specialties.
Both Bob and Jennifer of OTG Adventures, formerly OTG Adventures Inc., are PA's, and one
of the primary missions of OTG is to place them in remote
practice settings. There they provide primary and emergency care
to differing populations of native Alaskans, fishermen, fish
processors, and the general public who live in these areas. |