Happy Tuesday! Hot topics this week include a discussion on medical gaslighting, the PAEA’s call to action for a more diversified workforce, and a comprehensive list of FREE CME to fulfill that nagging DEA requirement!

In Today’s Edition:

• Avoid Medical Gaslighting…yes, it’s a thing

• The PAEA Announces a Call to Action for a more diversified workforce

• Is Mayo Clinic Buying Out of New Legislation to Ensure Safe Nurse Ratios?

• Look No Further, We Have a Comprehensive List of FREE CME to Fulfill the New DEA Requirements

• Aspiring, New, or Experienced APP? Mentorship is for Everyone

• Your Inspiration for Aspirations: Meet Dr. Marlo Miller, PA-C, Entrepreneur, and All-Around Inspiration!

• Take a poll, pick the medication best medication for patients with chronic pain

🩺 APP Trending News

The PAEA Announces Call to Action

The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) has declared the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health care professions a national crisis. We couldn't agree more with the CEO's sentiment that a "more racially and ethnically diverse health care professionals are essential for meeting future health care needs; tied to improved patient satisfaction, increased access to quality health care and reduced health disparities; and critical for elevating the nation’s responsiveness to the health care needs of a society with rapidly changing demographics." Current and future APPs (PAs and NPs) on the front line are in a perfect position to effect change as mentors, community leaders, and active participants in our respective organizations at the state and national level.

Mayo Clinic Seeks Exemption from Recent Nursing Staffing Legislature

On May 15, The Star Tribune reported that Mayo Clinic is throwing their financial weight at the state to remain exempt from safe nursing ratios and committees that all other state hospitals must implement for patient safety. The bill, appropriately named "The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act of 2023" requires committees of executives, nurses and other providers in Minnesota hospitals to agree on nurse staffing levels. Mayo argues that their automated system is more sophisticated and faster than a committee. Hmmmmmm.🧐 

⚙️ The More You Know

Everyone Deserves to be Heard

This article, themed "medical gaslighting," hit a sore spot last week after taking care of a patient who was seen twice in the ER with complaints that were not "heard" and later had a cardiac arrest. This beautiful patient isn't likely to survive and is under the age of 40. “Knowledge about sex and gender differences in health and disease can be lifesaving,” says Dr. Janine Austin Clayton in this enlightening article. Let’s rise up as providers and make sure we HEAR our patients.

Reminder! New DEA Requirements Go into Effect June 27th

Effective June 27, 2023, all practitioners will be required to attest that they have met new training requirements in order to obtain or renew a DEA license. All providers must attest they have fulfilled the 8-hour training requirement on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (SUDs).

We have searched for FREE AMA PRA Category 1 CME to meet your new DEA requirements in NO TIME! You. Are. Welcome! 🛎

The PDF summary of new DEA requirements is linked HERE.

• 4.0h GW School of Medicine. Project Result: Rethinking Substance Use Disorder Practitioner Learning and Teaching

• 0.75h NIH. Your Words Matter – Language Showing Compassion and Care for Women, Infants, Families, and Communities Impacted by Substance Use Disorder

• 0.75h NIH. Words Matter - Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction

• 2.5h NIH. Science to Medicine: A CME/CE Activity

• 1h PCCS. Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Initiation for SUD

• 8h PCCS. 8 Hour Online Buprenorphine Training

• 4.75h FREE For AAPA Members: Treating and Managing OUD and SUD Series

• Need more options? Check out the PCCS Course Catalog offering 23 courses on demand

💡Inspiration for Aspirations

Meet Dr. Marlo Miller. She’s a doctoral PA, educator, PA advocate, entrepreneur, community leader, and prime example of the endless career possibilities we have!

Marlo Miller has been a physician assistant for 21 years; 19 of those years she has spent in gastroenterology. She currently works for Westside GI at Hendricks Regional Health in Indiana and enjoys helping patients improve their medical health and nutrition. She graduated from Butler University with Bachelor of Health Science in 2002 and returned to graduate with her Doctor of Medical Science in 2022. She is very active in promoting the PA profession and is a favorite preceptor for Butler University PA students. She advocates for Indiana PAs and serves as Secretary of the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistant (IAPA) board (previously as treasurer). Most recently, she has utilized her leadership skills and knowledge to open a Pure Barre to inspire wellness in her community. She has a loving husband whom she has been with since high school, and they have 2 amazing daughters. She loves to stay active with hiking and regular exercise but is able to relax with playing video games with the family.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your career as a PA?

A: My favorite part of being a PA is seeing our new students come through with such vigor and desire and knowing that I have had a hand in shaping them to be the best practitioner they could be. I stay in contact with several of my former students and provide them with advice and guidance. I know these people are the next generation and that investing in their education is the most important job I can do as a senior PA and educator.

Q: Only 2% of PAs have their doctorate. What was your motivation and how did it change the trajectory of your career?

A: I was the lead PA for many years in my former practice so I initially decided to get a doctorate not knowing precisely what I would do with it, but confident it would open doors. I focused on the leadership & administration tract with the anticipation that I would be able to use my experience and passion for excellence in patient care to positively lead and educate our facility APPs with a voice to advocate in hospital administration. At the time of graduation, I experienced an exponential growth personally and professionally, but the door I had anticipated closed while life brought an unexpected opportunity. I am currently using the leadership skills I learned during my courses in more of an entrepreneurial fashion, which also fulfils my passion to inspire wellness in my community.

Q: What inspired you to start business?

A: The ‘Covid era’ has changed the landscape of medicine. There are so many people that have suffered physically but there is also a massive mental toll becoming apparent in our country. People have not been able to take care of themselves the way that keeps one healthy in all facets. My capstone research highlighted this massive shift towards (socially acceptable) unhealthy coping mechanisms in our society. To worsen the problem, poor nutrition and body images have only amplified our mental health concerns. I decided that I needed to find a platform/arena that is all inclusive for all ages, shapes, sizes and experience levels. As a PA, I’m in the perfect position to effect change. I understand the power of good nutrition, healthy habits, exercise, education while keeping people safe. I was blessed with the opportunity to franchise a Pure Barre for my community. This allows for a low impact workout for those that are new to fitness with various levels of modifications for anyone who needs a challenge. We also work on healthy nutrition, and all of this is done with encouragement and acceptance. I plan to use the information I learned during my doctorate program to build a team of compassionate individuals that will help make this community health venture successful.

We appreciate Dr. Miller’s contributions to health and wellness in her community. You won’t find any gaslighting here. She is a prime example of how PAs are prepared for endless opportunities!

You can follow her on IG @purebarre_avon, or FB @purebarreavon

📈Future APPs

Pro-Tip: Mentorship is Key for Personal and Professional Growth

If you are an aspiring, new, practicing, or experienced APP, join your respective national and local organizations. Redundant theme. YES. Why? Because they are a wealth of resources for all of us and represent the future and voice of our professions. Need a mentor? They got you. Want to mentor? We need you! Pro-tip #2: This is excellent for your CV leadership or experience content.

🧪Clinical Conundrums: Because We Love a Challenge!

The new DEA requirements may be a pain, but we are here for relief!

Test your knowledge Poll: See the results next week with a full explanation.

🔎ICYMI

We Brought You Bunches of Info Last Week

• The Peach State Enforcing ‘Medical Title Misappropriation’ penalties

• Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

• Birth Control OTC?

• FDA Ends Ban on Discriminatory Blood Donations

• AI Powered Symptom Assessment and Care Platform

• First Vaccine Developed in the U.S. for RSV in Adults

• Chest X-Ray Interpretation Resources to Keep the Palpitations Away

You don’t want to be the only interesting APP at the water cooler. Please share, subscribe, and let us know what you would like to see in upcoming editions! We would love to hear from you! Email [email protected]

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