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ADVANCE Blog for PAs

Interesting Take on 'Midlevel' and 'Advanced Practice Clinician'

Published March 25, 2008 4:12 PM by Stephen Cornell

The AAPA board of directors approved a House of Delegates resolution saying that PAs 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 brough 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.

posted by Stephen Cornell
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2 comments

PAs are unique from the other professions.  We are required to maintain board certification to practice.  Physicians are the only other providers who must continue to take board exams for certification.  Any opportunity to educate others on what it takes to become and remain a practicing PA is a good thing.

Susan Nichter, Neurology - RPA-C March 28, 2008 12:37 AM
Buffalo NY

I agree.  PAs have to work harder to let patients know they were treated by a PA......Put the "PA" word out there.  I don't like the term "Mid level provider"......it sounds so "mid level" and the awsome PA I am married to is anything but mid level!

Wendy March 26, 2008 11:15 AM
Redondo Beach CA

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