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Beat the Heat Part I
Coming in HOT this week with heatstroke refreshers and a cool motivational PA
Dr. Katie Beaudoin
July 25, 2023
Credit: Giphy
In Today’s Edition:
The US healthcare system is evolving and it's time we prepare for provider shortages
Speaking of provider shortages, Dr. Ogunfiditimi has a plan
Beat the Heat: Review heat-related illness, it could save a life!
Meet our Inspiration for the Week: Bernard Toney Jr., DMSc, MPH, PA-C, US Combat Veteran, White House Medical Officer, Global Health Advocate, Leader, Educator, and SO much more…
Considering an advanced certificate, degree, or other career in health? University of Lynchburg may have you covered
Patient Case Review: Don't lose your cool
🩺 APP Trending News
Credit: Giphy/The Office
The US healthcare system is evolving and it's time we prepare for provider shortages
There has been a lot of buzz about forecasted healthcare provider shortages and this recent article from JAAPA highlights the evolving changes within our healthcare system structure in the US. This is an important factor to keep in mind while strategizing how best to utilize APPs (PAs, NPs) and other essential staff. It's high time we all (physicians, APPs and other healthcare workers) come together to develop a solution before there is a crisis.
Speaking of provider shortages, AAPA President, Dr. Ogunfiditimi has a plan
Serving as the President of the American Academy of Physician Associates/Assistants (AAPA), Dr. Ogunfiditimi lays out his priority for the future of PAs as a solution to the impending healthcare provider shortage. Not new to the healthcare industry, he serves as the administrator of practice management at Florida Health Care Plans and his experience is highlighted during this interview on the Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSHQ) e-newsletter & podcast!
⚙️ The More You Know
Credit: Giphy
Beat the Heat
Review heat-related illness, it could save a life!
The heat wave is real, and the CDC has released a very nice article on heat safety. High temperatures lead to hundreds of preventable deaths annually in the United States. To prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths, it is essential to stay cool, hydrated, and informed. Consider people most at risk for heat exhaustion including lawn workers, firefighters, homeless and more.
The top four tips to follow are:
Stay in air-conditioned spaces or use air conditioning in vehicles if your home lacks it.
Drink plenty of water, even if not feeling thirsty.
Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Check on vulnerable individuals, such as older adults and those with chronic illnesses, and never leave children or pets unattended in cars.
Hungry for more?
Learn to recognize, treat, and prevent heat related illness, (HRI) with this easy-to-follow course, Heat-Related Illness, by the CDC. Knowledge is the power to save a life. Share the course with your non-medical friends! 🙌🏼
Infographic from the CDC
💡Inspiration for Aspirations
Get some water, this interview will set your motivation on fire. 🔥
Meet our Inspiration for the Week: Bernard Toney Jr., DMSc, MPH, PA-C
Dr. Toney is a US Combat Veteran, White House Medical Officer (Executive to the Office of the President & sole provider to the Vice President and First Lady), NIH Associate Investigator, Senior Advisor to the Master of Public Health Program at the University of Lynchburg, Leader, Educator, global health advocate, and so much more.
Dr. Bernard Toney Jr.
Q: Tell us about your background and what inspired you to become a PA?
A: From a very young age, life compelled me to walk a path I hadn’t initially envisioned. I was 17 when I experienced a moment that shook me to my core: a drive-by shooting that claimed my best friend’s life. This tragic event introduced me to a harsh reality that exists in our society, but it also instilled in me an intense desire to make a difference. In my quest for purpose amidst despair, I found myself serving alongside special forces medics in Afghanistan. These individuals, facing danger every day, held a singular dream—to join the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) upon returning home. Their selfless dedication, their commitment to healing and saving lives, left a deep impression on me. Their dream gradually became my own, a seed planted in the tough soil of adversity.
This background of mine, shaped by tragedy and hope, is what inspired me to become a Physician Assistant. My journey has taught me the preciousness of life and the power of healing. I plan to carry these lessons forward as I continue my work, bringing compassion and care to those who need it most.
Q: You have a passion to advance global health initiatives. What inspired you to this mission?
A: My passion for advancing global health initiatives was born out of firsthand experiences that continue to resonate with me. During my time with the US Army, I participated in medical civic action programs in Afghanistan. This was my initiation into the realm of global health engagement.
I vividly recall children, barefoot and dusty, trudging across the hot desert sands to receive whatever medical care we could offer. Illiterate and unsure of their ages, their stoicism in the face of such hardship left a deep impression on me. I thought to myself that no child or person should have to endure such conditions to receive basic healthcare. That’s when I felt the stirrings of a mission taking shape within me - a mission to bridge these gaps in global health.
However, the recent outbreak and subsequent global impact of COVID-19 solidified my resolve to make a tangible difference in this field. The pandemic laid bare the stark disparities in healthcare access and delivery worldwide. It reinforced the urgent need for a concerted, global response to health crises and advancing health equity.
Inspired by these experiences, I decided to seek formal education in global health. With knowledge and commitment, we can contribute to a world where access to quality healthcare isn’t a privilege but a fundamental right.
Q: What strategies do you use or plan to use to keep up with the latest developments and advancements in your field to improve global healthcare outcomes?
A: Keeping abreast of the latest developments in global healthcare requires a multifaceted approach, given the expansive and dynamic nature of the field. Here are a few strategies I would recommend:
**Continuing Education**: Engage in lifelong learning through advanced degrees, professional certifications, and regular participation in webinars, seminars, and workshops on global health.
**Professional Networking**: Actively participate in professional associations and networks such as the American Public Health Association (APHA), World Health Organization (WHO), and Global Health Council. These platforms provide access to resources, research, conferences, and opportunities to collaborate with global health professionals worldwide.
**Stay Updated with Research**: Regularly read peer-reviewed journals such as The Lancet Global Health, Journal of Global Health, and BMJ Global Health to stay up-to-date with the latest research and innovations in the field.
**Follow Global Health Organizations**: Organizations such as the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) regularly publish updates and reports on their work, providing valuable insights into current global health initiatives.
**Utilize Digital Tools**: Technology and data science are increasingly shaping global health outcomes. Familiarize yourself with digital health tools, health informatics, and platforms that harness big data for health predictions and policymaking.
**Cultural Competence**: It’s crucial to understand the cultural, socio-economic, and political factors affecting health in various parts of the world. This could be achieved through courses, working with diverse populations, or field experiences.
**Policy Engagement**: Stay informed about global health policies and participate in policy dialogue at national and international levels.
**Act Locally**: Global health begins at home. Engage in local public health initiatives, understand the health challenges in your community, and learn from the ways these challenges are addressed.
By incorporating these strategies, you can stay well-informed, make valuable contributions to improving global health outcomes, and be a part of the more extensive solution.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring healthcare professionals who wish to positively impact their patients’ lives and the healthcare community as a whole?
A: Embrace a Holistic Approach:
To all aspiring healthcare professionals, you’re on an enriching and equally challenging journey. Here’s my advice on creating a meaningful impact in your patients’ lives and the broader healthcare community: Health isn’t just about the absence of disease; it is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Recognize that your patient is more than a set of symptoms.
Understand their life circumstances, their culture, their fears, and their hopes. It’s essential to comprehend the social determinants of health - socioeconomic status, education, physical environment, employment, and social support networks, among others. Your ability to integrate these aspects into your care will make you a more effective healthcare provider.
Becoming a healthcare professional who can make a real difference is a marathon, not a sprint.
Stay patient, stay passionate, and remember - every step you take brings us closer to a world where healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
A: My philosophy is simple” Lift as you Climb.” In that way, we all have a collective responsibility to support and elevate one another to reach our fullest potential.
This is so true. We are. in this together, as humans, as providers.
We highly recommend connecting with Dr. Toney on LinkedIn as he regularly posts thoughtful, motivational material. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to service, education, and inspiration! 🫡 🙌🏼
LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/btoneyjr/
Appointments: https://calendly.com/drbtoney
Health isn’t just about the absence of disease; it is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Recognize that your patient is more than a set of symptoms.
📈Future APPs & Leaders
Inspired by Dr. Toney?! Who isn’t?!
He obtained his doctorate the University of Lynchburg. They offer several doctoral programs including a DMSc for PAs and EdD in Leadership for those of you inspired to educate. Specialty certificate programs are also offered online! Not quite there? The undergraduate nursing program offers a simulation lab to enhance learning and boasts top-notch NCLEX pass rates.
🧪Clinical Conundrums: Because We Love a Challenge!
Don't Lose Your Cool
Case Vignette: A 38 yof with a history of schizophrenia, DM type 2, and obesity was admitted to the ICU from the ER after being found on the side of the road. The heat index was 113(F) and she had decided to walk home from a friend's home 3 miles away post altercation. She was hot (rectal temp was 108(F), skin was hot and dry, and she was sonorous (GCS 6: E1V1M4), prompting intubation, and admission to the ICU. Labs revealed a CK >5K, elevated LFTs, hypoglycemia, and mild elevation in WBC and Hemoglobin in CBC.
Questions to ponder....
Is this a fever or hyperthermia? How can I tell?
Credit: The Internet Book of Critical Care by EMCRIT
‘Cool’ resources from EMCRIT.org right?! While her diagnosis may seem straightforward, always think about the broad differential ...Let’s take a poll, what should be included in her differential?
Which of the following conditions would you consider in her differential diagnosis? |
🔎ICYMI
PA co-founds PAs in Obesity Medicine & guides for obesity treatment
The AAP establishes guidelines for pediatric obesity
Will new weight loss regimens render bariatric surgery obsolete?
For better or worse, weight loss apps join the semaglutide craze
As overweight patients seek care for back pain, a new trial warns against the use of opioids
Free CME is resources to complete the new DEA requirement
Our inspiration of the week is Karli Burridge, PA-C, FOMA, educator, leader, advocate, obesity specialist and founder of Gaining Health!
Clinical conundrums: Altered mental status (AMS) case debrief
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