PA Interview

24. What do you like to do outside of school?

I have many hobbies. I like to play my guitar and sing, I enjoy hiking with my family or with my dogs, I love quilting and sewing. I really like cooking healthy meals for my grandparents.

31. Do you think PAs and nurse practitioners are in competition with each other.

No. PAs and nurse practitioners are both mildlevel practitioners and both play a very important role in the healthcare system. I think both professions work in collaboration with the same ultimate goal of providing patients with the best care possible. In addition, both PAs and NPs have been very helpful in increase access to medical care in underserved communities. Their training may be different, but they are definitely not in competition with PAs.

17. What is a dependent practitioner?

A PA is, by definition, a dependent practitioner, because they are required to work with physician supervision. But even though they are required to declare a supervising, they are still granted a great deal of autonomy.

25. which field do you see yourself working in after graduation?

At this point, I'm very interested in Pediatrics or Family practice. I like the idea of working with families and with a variety of patients. As I go through the PA program, I'm sure my rotational experiences will guide me towards the specialty that is best suited for me.

21. What makes you mad?

I don't tend to be an angry person, but one thing that does upset me is injustice. If I feel something is unfair, especially for someone in a vulnerable situation, I'll tend to get angry about that. In that situation, I'll look for ways that I can facilitate change, and If I can't change the situation, I try to accept it. I'll tend to reframe the situation and use it as a lesson as to how I should not do things.

32. Where to PAs fit on the hierarchy ladder with nurses, MDs, and NPs?

I think PAs, nurses, MDs, NPs are all on the same team trying to do what is in the best interest of the patients they serve. Since they are all working towards the same goal, I don't think of it in terms of a hierarchy. I think of it as a group of people, who all have different responsibilities, that are working together to provide a patient with the best care possible. Eg. Red vest

27. Do you think healthcare reform will be positive or negative for PAs?

I think healthcare reform will be positive. With millions of people insured, and the current shortage of physicians, PAs are more in demand than ever.

28. Do you think PA should change their name to Physician Associate

I think it should be changed. In 1965, the name was originally Physician associate. The name changed later because there were some concerns among physicians. But today, about 50 years later, I think the PAs role is better served by the name "associate" because the term "assistant" can be quite misleading. The UK has already implemented the name change, and it has been a positive change. Now CAPA is eliminating the use of the word "assistant" and simply using "PA". I know a name change wont fix it all, but its a good step toward clearing up the confusion about PAs being "assistants". They're professionals.

26. Tell me your thoughts about health care reform?

I think that in an ideal world, the healthcare reform act would work perfectly. The idea of providing everyone with healthcare is amazing, but even though it's a good step in the right direction, there is still a lot that needs to be worked out. The reform has created a big shortage in primary health care providers, and although a lot of people have been able to gain access to healthcare, there are still millions of people who do not have access to primary care. I really think PAs can help fill that gap our healthcare system.

30. Do you think HMO's and PPO's are good or bad?

I think they are good for PAs. One of the goals of HMOs and PPOs is to make medical care more cost-effective. PAs are cost effective, yet rank highly in terms of patient satisfaction.

23. If you could change one thing about the PA profession, as you understand it today, what would it be?

I would increase the number of Universities that offer PA programs that focus on serving the underserved. The healthcare reform laws have created a larger shortage of healthcare providers, and the demand for PAs highly exceeds the supply, especially in underserved areas. So if I could change one thing, I would want more schools producing PAs to meet that demand.

29. Should all PA programs be masters level programs?

The trend towards master level PA program started many years ago, and currently, most programs are masters level programs. It is hard to say that all programs should be masters level programs because many pioneers of the profession did not have a master's degree. However, I do think that the rigorous didactic and clinical training in PA school warrants a master's degree. "Practicing in an underserved community, it really allows you to form a unique bond with your patient because a lot of these patients have been failed so many other times in their lives," Glasgow continued. "Once they do open up to you, it's amazing how much they show you what you mean to them; how appreciative they are that they finally have a group of people who care about them. It makes it easy to go to work every day knowing the impact you can have on somebody's life." Each appeared to thrive on the challenge of creatively dealing with their patients' complex human needs with limited health care resources.

16. Have you applied to any other programs?

Yes, I have applied to USC, Idaho State, Western University, and Samuel merit. I feel that these are programs that focus primarily on motivating PAs to serve the underserved. They have exceptional pass/fail rates, and I'm confident that I will pass my boards after graduation. There is also a lot of competition for each program, and I want to maximize my chances for acceptance into a program that will prepare me well academically and nurture my desire to serve the underserved.

33. Is it important for PA students to belong to local, regional, and national PA associations? Why or Why not?

Yes. It is very important. I have been a CAPA member for about a year now, and I truly feel that it is the best way to stay informed about current events in the profession. CAPA is statewide, but it is also important for students to stay informed locally and nationally. By uniting all PAs together through these associations, we can advance the profession together, make sure we stay informed, and assure that we are all on the same page. Additionally, the PA profession is still evolving, so it is imperative to stay informed about new laws or regulations. If we don't, we could risk some really negative consequences in the future.