The Name Game
We can keep pointing out the differences between NPs and physician assistants, but other health care professionals often want to speak about the two groups together. When they do, they encounter a language problem. Instead of referring to the single group as "NPs and PAs," they often opt for phrases many NPs (and PAs) find offensive, such as "midlevel providers" or "physician extenders."
The American Academy of Physician Assistants has now weighed in on the issue. Its board of directors approved a House of Delegates resolution saying that physician assistants should be referred to only as PAs and not grouped together with other professionals, according the March 30 issue of AAPA News.
In other actions, the board approved a resolution to be brought to the House saying that PAs should be referred to as "physician assistant" and not combined with other providers in non-specific terms, such as midlevel practitioner, advanced practice clinician, or advanced practice provider.
The resolution encourages PAs to utilize and encourage employers (e.g., hospitals, HMOs, clinics), third-party payers, educators, researchers, and the government to utilize the term "physician assistant" or "PA" to reflect the unique position of PAs in the health care system.
Good luck! But really, don't they have a point? How hard is it to say "NPs and PAs"?
Do you think that speaking of NPs and PAs together undermines the differences between the two professions?