Infectious Disease
AAPA strives despite opposition from AMA. a change of title as “medical assistant”
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In a vote of 198 to 68 votes, the House of Delegates of the American Academy of Physician Assistants decided to change the title of physician assistant to Physician Associates.
According to the organization, the title change will officially take effect after the necessary legal and regulatory changes have been made. Until then, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) recommends professionals not to use the new title in dealing with patients and in work environments.
During its own session of the House of Delegates, the AMA adopted a policy that increased its strong opposition to the title change.
“The AMA believes that changing the title of ‘physician assistants’ will only confuse patients more about who is administering their treatment, especially as the AAPA has sought a different title change in recent years and prefers to only use the term ‘PA’ use, “formerly AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD said in a press release.
Bailey argued that changing the title to Medical Staff “is clearly an attempt to advance their pursuit of an independent practice”.
“We believe these recent efforts are inconsistent with state law and are ready to work with interested state and medical societies to address any state or federal policy effort to implement this title change,” she said.
Healio Primary Care recently spoke to Lisa M. Gables, CPA, CEO of AAPA to learn more about the reasons for the title change, how it is being implemented, and more.
Healio Primary Care: What Caused the Title Change? How does it better reflect the profession?
Gables: At the meeting of the AAPA House of Delegates in May 2018, a resolution was passed calling on the AAPA Board of Directors to “enter into a contract with an appropriate independent consultancy / research company to provide state / federal, financial, political To examine branding aspects and alternatives ”. to create a new job title for medical assistants that precisely reflects the professional practice of the AAPA. “
The solid research conducted by the company included research into how the profession is perceived, what experiences various stakeholders – including patients, PAs, employers, doctors, nurses, and many others – have with PAs, and how well their perceptions of the real role of PAs are agree on health care. The research confirmed that the title of “physician assistant” does not clarify the real value of the profession or the value of PAs to health teams and that the title needs further development. In fact, according to the study, 71% of the surveyed patients agreed that the title “medical assistant” matches the job description of a PA. Over 61% of the doctors surveyed agreed that “medical assistant” corresponds to the job description.
Removing the word “assistant” from the title will remove a common misconception that PAs are simply “assisting” physicians in actually diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients. The new title will help patients better understand the education and expertise of PAs and their essential role in health care.
Healio Primary Care: How is it implemented? What does the process involve?
Gables: The title change implementation is complex and complicated, and requires significant commitment from the profession and its affiliates in terms of financial commitments, resource allocations, and legislative and regulatory efforts. Before a schedule can be finalized, further research and discussions must take place. During this process, AAPA will continue to publish updates online.
Healio Primary Care: Do Most PAs Support Name Change?
Gables: Most of the feedback AAPA has received from the PAs has been positive. The AAPA will continue to work with a variety of stakeholders – other national PA organizations and programs, as well as state and federal governments, regulators, employers, and others – to implement the title change.
Healio Primary Care: Why should PAs currently refrain from referring to themselves as “doctor employees” to patients and in the work environment? How long will it take you?
Gables: As with any policy implementation, it will take time and resources to implement fully and carefully. In the meantime, Foley & Lardner LLP, AAPA’s legal advisor, recommends that PAs refrain from posing themselves as “medical assistants” as premature use of the term “medical assistants” in a medical setting could be interpreted to mean that the PA is beyond their current one License goes beyond. You can find more information about this recommendation here.
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