Everything Old Is New Again: PA Name Change Version

A real nice article written and published in this month's JAAPA by PA Lyon's whom I have met in the past at the AFPPA meeting last year in Las Vegas. This remains a question that many PAs have entertained and perhaps gave up on because of the resolute attitude of the Academy.

There is a new face in the AAPA and there is a renewed attitude in terms of hearing from PAs. This is an opportunity for action, an opportunity for change.

Many have sat on the sidelines and have complained about the "name" but have not entered full force into the dialogue. Perhaps the AAPA will publicize this subject and ask for responses from membership. The best manner of approaching this would simply be to ask this as a question on the survey that will be available in May . Although the responses are not as high as anticipated it will still be a snapshot of the profession as we use this tool for other "facts" after the survey is tabulated yearly.

Now is a time of change in this country and this profession has the opportunity to become part of change. Our new students need to be involved and the student academy can also ask this as a question. Hope someone's listening! Strangely enough, I see this as an oiportunity for unity and renewed enthusiasm.

Bob Blumm

The profession needs a title that is congruent to position.  Physician Associate.  In light of the newer data showing the very low numbers of med students choosing the path of primary care, the PA will be called upon to fill this gap.  Furthermore, as a master's degree is becomming increasingly necessary in the field, the title should reflect expertise.  Surely, the title of phsycian associate will resonate clearer understanding of the duties/capabilities of a PA to the patient than does the title of physician assistant.  Might as well get on with the changing of the title.

It's funny. I've never really been against a name change, but I've never been for one, either. It's not one of the issues that really captures my interest. I can see both sides of the argument. But what does interest me is the amazing staying power of the issue. PAs always care about it.

Someone from the AAPA e-mailed today to remind me that the HOD debated this issue in 1999 and 2000. I understand that. But more than 1/3 of the current profession has graduated since then. If PAs care this much about this issue, they should be heard again. That's all I'm saying.

Thanks Steve , for preaching the ressurection! I try not to be insensitive of my colleagues by constantly harping on this issue and I try not to offend the AAPA who has always been against this for a plethora of poor reasons. Steve Crane was the biggest reason for the opposition as he manged to be the tail that wagged the head but Steve Crane is gone and we have a new ED who may actually listen to the cries of the PA profession.

90 % of what we do does not include our physicians with the exception of the term supervision. Changing the name does not change supervision and embracing the "fear of re-opening our laws" is hogwash. Yes, we would have to change a hell of a lot of stationary and I'd have to buy new T-shirts but wouldn't be nice to be associates ?

This profession needs to have pride in what they do. Many of us do even through our name does not represent our scope of practice. I love my profession, I love being a PA and having the opportunity to heal patients but I think that there is a large number of PAs who are disenfranchised with our title and would like to see it go away like a bad nightmare. We can make that happen if we band together, write our State and national leaders as well as our Specialty leaders and tell them we want this debated again, as we want it changed. Healthy debate is good for the soul and it also sells tickets to the AAPA HOD.

So , once again , thanks Steve Cornell, for listening and noticing and caring enough to ask the question once again.

Bob Blumm

As aPA leaderfor decades, the name issue is one close tomy heart, lungs and all other organs.

It is a simple one. We are misleading patients and shorting ourselves with the assistant part of our name. NO OTHER assistant does the same duties as the professional they assist. NO OTHER assistant can diagnose, treat and prescribe. NO OTHER assistant is held to the same standards as the person they assist.

We are shortchanging ourselves and will forever try to match ourselves and our title to what the profession is really about. An impossible task.We are not even a real profession if we can not determine our own name.

POLL THE ENTIRE PROFESSION AND ASK THEM.

I agree that the name change should be looked at, the only real argument against it that I can see would be that people are used to the title physician assistant.  I find this to be false, as I travel around on my rotations I find that I am usually explaining what a PA is and does.  We would still be known as a PA and it may not change a lot.  A name may be a small thing but it can really change the idea of the patient and surrounding co-workers.

Wow.  If the poll is correct, what a clever way to save on health care costs  :-)

Title creep is a well known way of saving salary.