Jaapa-Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants最新文献

Objective: Use of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring can provide significant cost savings through improved disease control and reduced exacerbations. This study investigated physician associates'/assistants' (PAs') perceptions of telemedicine to inform future use and expansion of these programs.

Methods: The Telehealth Usability Questionnaire was completed by 30 PAs recruited via social media. Data were coded and analyzed through an electronic spreadsheet program.

Results: PAs generally felt that telemedicine was a helpful tool to increase access to care (M = 4.129) but did not replace in-person visits. Variation in responses related specifically to the platform indicated PAs' varying experiences about ease of use.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that PAs from a variety of practice settings found telemedicine to be a helpful tool to reduce barriers and improve access to care. However, PAs did not feel that telemedicine replaces in-person visits.

Abstract: Because of its greater reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), chlorthalidone is recommended over hydrochlorothiazide as the preferred diuretic for patients with primary hypertension. However, hydrochlorothiazide is more commonly prescribed than chlorthalidone for this condition. This article reviews recent studies investigating the effectiveness of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide in reducing MACE, to help clinicians make an evidence-based informed decision on which diuretic to prescribe.

Objective: Physician associate/assistant (PA) experience in clinical trials is poorly documented in medical literature. This survey aimed to describe the characteristics and experiences of PAs in clinical trial research.

Methods: We performed descriptive analyses of data gathered in 2022 by the American Academy of Physician Associates and published in the organization's annual Salary Report, specifically of respondents who indicated experience in traditional and/or decentralized clinical trials.

Results: About 73% of PAs eligible for the clinical trials survey indicated they were either involved in clinical trials or had been involved in the past and were interested in working in clinical trials in the future. PAs often serve in subinvestigator roles and perform various clinical trial tasks regardless of previous research experience.

Conclusions: PAs working in clinical trials demonstrated broad responsibilities and skills in the research setting. They leveraged benefits to working in clinical trials despite institutional barriers. Clinical research may fit into numerous PAs' practices and let them contribute to medical advancements.

Abstract: Vaginal discharge is a common presenting complaint in ambulatory care medicine, emergency medicine, primary care, and gynecology, accounting for nearly 10 million office visits annually in the United States. This article discusses management of abnormal vaginal discharge among women of childbearing age and the clinical significance of inhouse diagnostic tools. Provider-performed microscopy is an invaluable clinical skill that allows for immediate diagnosis, treatment, and management of infections and coinfections and should be strongly considered when evaluating a patient.

Abstract: Febrile neutropenia is a common oncologic emergency that increases the risk for serious infection. This article reviews a joint American Society of Clinical Oncology and Infectious Diseases Society of America guideline for the evaluation and management of patients with cancer who present with fever and neutropenia. Knowledge and use of available risk assessment tools may reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, decrease inappropriate antibiotic use, and improve patient outcomes.

Abstract: This article describes a teenage patient who was referred to a pediatric endocrinologist after her workup for recurring urticaria revealed a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone level and positive microsomal thyroid peroxidase antibodies. The patient's laboratory results revealed an autoimmune cause for the urticaria as a result of new-onset autoimmune thyroid disease.