PAs Discuss Health Care on Fox News
Yesterday, Fox News posted two videos in which future health care professionals from Emory University answer questions about their views on health care reform. The first video, "Doctors of Tomorrow," included three medical students, one resident and two physician assistants, Elizabeth Murray and Collin McDonald. Here is a transcript of the interview between Fox News reporter John Serrie and the two PA students:
Serrie: Elizabeth and Collin over here are both in a physician's assistant program. This is considered a midlevel provider. Health care reform, at least as it's currently proposed, would make this more of a part of the process. Why don't we start with you, Elizabeth? Your thoughts.
Murray: I'm very passionate that midlevel providers, both PAs and nurse practitioners are a big answer to increasing accessibility to health care. We desire to be a part of the physician-led team and really use the synergy that's provided by putting multiple heads together in serving the nation's public and really making health care something that's quality, affordable and accessible. PAs and nurse practitioners alike are ready to help.
Serrie: Collin, we're going to see more folks like you in the future, you think?
McDonald: Absolutely, definitely. I'm hoping that we continue to grow, and all accounts say that we are going to continue to grow. That's going to provide more care for people that don't have care right now. The more heads you can get together, the less testing happens and the more thinking about medicine happens and the [less]overutilization will occur.
Doctors of Tomorrow
Note: In the first clip, reporter Jonathan Serrie mistakenly states that the students attend a physician's assistant program. In between takes, Murray and McDonald corrected Serrie, and in the next clip he gets it right.
"America's Future Doctors," the second video, continues the discussion. When asked what they thought could be done to increase access to care, Murray and McDonald responded on behalf of the PA profession. This is what they had to say:
Murray: As PA students who will be entering the health care field in about a year and a half, we're excited to help. It's a team effort [between] everyone from the front desk to the janitor that keeps [the facility] clean. We want to be a part of that team in order to better our nation's health and care for our friends and family.
McDonald: I'm hoping there's going to be more transparency between clinics, between doctors, and also between showing outcomes so the patient can then choose based on what they see in quality versus what they see in quantity.
America's Future Doctors
Stay tuned for more coverage of these PA advocacy efforts online and in print.