A PA’s Role
Ms. Hughell says her PA program provided instruction on everything from patient education and preventive care to diagnosis and treatment of a range of medical conditions. Once she earned her degree and became certified, she was ready to find a position in the healthcare field.
“I was recruited into a rheumatology practice because my background included working with geriatric patients, who often require rheumatic care,” she says. The field was a good fit for her personality, too. “I’m a social gal, and I appreciate forming connections with others, so I wanted to join a field where I could follow patients over time and develop relationships,” she says.
It has worked out so well that she has continued as a PA in the same practice—the Iowa Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Urbandale—for 17 years.
One of the many things she enjoys about her profession is the variety. “My practice has 14 rheumatologists, who have been amazing mentors, and I work with all of their patients. On a single day, I’ll typically meet with upwards of 15 patients, who may include patients who come on a scheduled basis—perhaps every three or six months—or those who present for acute care,” Ms. Hughell says. “I may be diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, performing joint injections, and making treatment decisions.”
Having a PA as part of the medical team serves multiple purposes, she says. For one thing, if a physician’s schedule is full, patients can receive care from a PA. This is helpful for acute patients who need to be seen quickly, and also for those patients who need to schedule regular visits. “Basically, it gives the patient one additional clinician that they can rely on for their rheumatology care [and] gives patients increased access to rheumatology care in a specialty where access can be limited.”
PAs also offer a layer of connection between clinician and patient. “I’ve had the opportunity to develop relationships with patients over the years, which includes getting to know their families and personal interests. It is personally rewarding to form those connections, and I enjoy the camaraderie with patients,” she says. “That is also particularly helpful in dealing with chronic and complex rheumatic conditions, where in-depth conversations can reveal nuances useful in making diagnoses or fine-tuning treatment regimens.”
Raising Awareness
Although PAs have been around for more than 50 years now, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants reports that they currently engage in more than half a billion patient interactions each year, some patients and some members of the medical profession still are unaware of how PAs fit into the healthcare team, says Ms. Hughell. That is where efforts like National PA Week can be helpful.
