{"title":"Does this white coat make me look old?","authors":"Carol Mackenzie Jackson","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000196","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000196","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 4","pages":"e1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Lolar, Robert R Ehrman, Anne M Messman, Alexandria Garino
{"title":"Examining gender trends in PA authorship: A retrospective analysis of JAAPA and JPAE.","authors":"Sara Lolar, Robert R Ehrman, Anne M Messman, Alexandria Garino","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000095","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study benchmarked gender trends in research authorship in the physician associate (PA) profession.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A bibliometric analysis was conducted of the Journal of Physician Assistant Education and the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Associates from January 2014 to September 2022. We collected data on instances of PA first, last, and solo authorship of clinical or research articles. Author gender was verified through professional websites. Simple proportions and the Mann-Kendall test are reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1,315 collected instances of PA authorship, women represented 65.6% (n = 863) of the population, comprising 67.8% of first authors and 60.7% of last authors. The proportion of authors categorized as women increased over time ( P = .04). Women were more likely to have only one publication compared with men.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although positive signs of increased research authorship by women are evident, women still lag behind men in overall publication numbers and in senior authorship roles compared with their representation in the PA profession.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":" ","pages":"32-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recertification through longitudinal assessment for PAs.","authors":"Jaclyn M Demeter","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000099","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Maintenance of certification (MOC) is a critical and self-regulated process in many professional organizations. MOC serves to protect the public and ensure that professionals enhance their knowledge and its application to clinical practice as they pursue lifelong learning. For the physician associate (PA) profession, MOC involves continuing medical education and a recertifying examination. Longitudinal assessment (LA) is a recent MOC method that is being used by certifying bodies in the pursuit of recertification and advancement of knowledge. In 2023, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) launched the Physician Assistant National Recertification Examination-Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA). Many PAs are transitioning to this format as their chosen pathway for recertification examination. LA is a testing method that promotes continuous acquisition and application of knowledge over time. Despite the trend toward LA in many professions, limited literature describes the impact of this tool for the PA profession. In the changing landscape of MOC with LA becoming a recertification standard, PAs benefit from understanding the history, educational advantages, and importance of LA as a MOC tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 4","pages":"41-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating and treating pediatric obesity: A practice update.","authors":"Roxanna Benton","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000194","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2023 released a guideline for evaluating and treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. The AAP advocated for a patient-centered, comprehensive (\"whole child\") approach to evaluation and a treatment regimen that includes a foundation of both motivational interviewing and intensive health behavior and lifestyle therapy, along with adjunctive pharmacotherapy and referral of adolescents with severe obesity to bariatric surgery. This article reviews the diagnosis of pediatric obesity and provides an update on the latest evidence and expert recommendations for evaluation and treatment of this condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":" ","pages":"12-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Drug-induced aseptic meningitis after amoxicillin use.","authors":"Jina Bai, Todd Cutler","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000198","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000198","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) is a noninfectious meningitis related to a drug exposure. Diagnosis requires exclusion of infectious meningitis. Patients with DIAM will exhibit rapid improvement after discontinuation of the offending drug. Most patients will develop recurrent symptoms after repeat exposure to the offending agent. The clinical features of DIAM are indistinguishable from infectious meningitis and the recurrent symptoms often are identical to previous episodes of DIAM. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, co-trimoxazole, and penicillin are the medications that most commonly cause DIAM with use. This article describes a patient who was admitted to the hospital with meningoencephalitis after taking prophylactic amoxicillin for a dental procedure.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 4","pages":"29-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anthony Asare Arkoh, Jennifer Coombs, Sharon Talboys
{"title":"PAs in Ghana: A rich tradition with a hopeful future.","authors":"Anthony Asare Arkoh, Jennifer Coombs, Sharon Talboys","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000180","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The West African country of Ghana boasts a stable democracy and diverse culture. Although strides have been made in education and healthcare access, challenges persist, particularly in rural communities. The physician associate (PA) profession emerged in the 1960s to address healthcare shortages, with formal training programs established and accreditation overseen by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Medical and Dental Council. PAs play a critical role in healthcare delivery, providing services in both urban and rural areas. Ghana's healthcare system, while advancing, is concentrated in urban centers, necessitating task-sharing strategies for improved access. Health outcomes have improved, but maternal and child mortality remain high. PAs contribute significantly to Ghana's healthcare system, including reproductive health and primary care services, alongside efforts to combat epidemics such as COVID-19. Key concerns for PAs include career progression, resource allocation, and public understanding of their role. Despite challenges, PAs remain essential in providing care to underserved populations. Addressing concerns and supporting PAs are vital for sustainable and effective healthcare in Ghana.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 4","pages":"e6-e9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Atrial fibrillation.","authors":"Melissa Johnson Chung","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000093","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 3","pages":"44-45"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evidence-based treatment approaches for adolescent electronic cigarette use.","authors":"Laura Solano","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000179","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are the most commonly used tobacco product by adolescents. This article describes the harmful effects of e-cigarette use in adolescents and how to evaluate for severity of nicotine dependence. It also provides an overview of treatment approaches, including behavioral interventions, contingency interventions, pharmacologic options, school-based programs, combination and emerging approaches, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":" ","pages":"22-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143190875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sore throat or severe threat? The teleconsultation that uncovered neutropenic sepsis.","authors":"Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Tamara S Ritsema","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000175","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This case report describes a telemedicine visit by a patient with fever, sore throat, and odynophagia. The patient had recently started taking propylthiouracil (PTU) for Graves disease. She was referred to the ED, where a complete blood cell count revealed agranulocytosis with a neutrophil count of 200 cells/mm3. PTU was promptly discontinued, and she received treatment with IV piperacillin-tazobactam, resulting in an improvement in her condition. With the rise of telemedicine, clinicians must prioritize thorough history-taking to detect uncommon complications of medications and to ensure patient safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 3","pages":"e2-e5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries: A clinical review.","authors":"Jonathan Barnes","doi":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000081","DOIUrl":"10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is an important, often underrecognized working diagnosis. MINOCA is defined as an acute MI in a patient whose coronary angiography reveals no significant obstructive coronary artery disease. A comprehensive diagnostic approach beyond the initial coronary angiogram is essential for identifying this heterogeneous infarction pathophysiology. Distinguishing disease-specific causes affects patient management and prognosis, especially in female patients. This article provides an evidence-based overview of the tailored management strategies and ongoing clinical research likely to shape future guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":48728,"journal":{"name":"Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants","volume":"38 3","pages":"37-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}