Meet New AAPA11 Blogger Jason Hussey: We cannot move the profession forward without patients who understand our roles.

PAs??

During AAPA HOD Reference Committees A and C, the topic of AAPA's role in the education of the public and physicians will be discussed at the HOD. I wrote two resolutions that encourage PAs to educate physicians and the public individually and the formal formation of a physician and public education workgroup. There will be debate coming up to consider these and I am anxious to hear testimony. It is my contention that the AAPA has done an outstanding job at advocating for PAs to our government and getting us into the latest health care reform legislation but has fallen short on public and physician education. The Today Show's Dr. Synderman revealed the 800 pound gorilla in the room. She and many other physicians do not understand PAs, their roles, or responsibilities. The public is even less educated about PAs. We cannot move the profession forward without patients who understand our roles. Our patients love us and will advocate for us it they understand us as a whole. It falls to the AAPA, and its constituent organizations, to educate the public and the time to start is now. I invite everyone reading this to discuss the AAPA's role in educating the public and physicians.