This is the 448th and final post to the ADVANCE Blog for PAs in 2008. Check back on Jan. 2 for the first blog post of 2009. Until then, here's a quick look back at some of the notable PA stories of the last year.  ***  JanuaryAnnals of Family Medicine publishes a study that concludes, “Family practices employing ...

On the topic of ARC-PA’s standards for PA programs, I have two questions. One, why does a PA program director need to be a PA or a physician? It certainly should be a consideration, but not a requirement. At least two terrific PA educators were not PAs: PAEA immediate past president and University of Colorado Child Health Associate PA program ...

Back in May 2006, the NCCPA pledged to develop ''a solution to meet the needs of specialty PAs.'' Since that time, the NCCPA has done a great job creating productive debate about the problems facing PAs in specialties. But it really hasn't offered any solutions. The NCCPA hasn't forgotten its pledge. At its August board of directors meeting in ...

NCCPA has posted to its Web site information about the practice-focused PANRE. Beginning in March 2009, PAs recertifying through PANRE will have a new choice to make. While 60% of the generalist exam will cover the same content as always, the remaining 40% can be directed in one of three areas: Adult medicine Surgery Primary ...

It seems as though Pennsylvania PA Bernie Stuetz's effort to increase the length PA recertification cycle to 10 years is gaining momemtum. Stuetz wrote ''A Plan to Revise PA Recertification'' for ADVANCE in 2006 and introduced a related resolution at the 2007 AAPA House of Delegates. Here's an excerpt from Stuetz's ...