It's Science

Bringing practice updates for vulnerable populations and evidence APPs deliver excellent care

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In Today’s Edition:

  • Patients equally love their derm PAs’ and physician counterparts. It’s science

  • Emergency NPs are improving outcomes. It’s science

  • Low dose Aspirin may not have any role in the primary prevention of stroke in older adults

  • New CDC guidelines for RSV Vaccination in Adults

  • FDA Approves New Drug to Prevent RSV in Babies and Toddlers

  • A Little History Lesson: How the PA and NP Professions Were Started

  • Help us with our little conundrum: what interests our readers?!

🩺 APP Trending News

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APPs’ (PAs/NPs) Deliver Exceptional Care. It’s Science.

Patients equally love their derm PAs’ and physician counterparts

This summer, a large cross-sectional study with data from over 12,000 patient surveys was published, and the results show that patients are equally satisfied with Dermatology PAs as they are with Dermatologists. Worth a mention, large studies provide insight into patient attitudes regarding PAs’ (or NPs’ ) receiving appropriate mentorship and supervision. We should be producing more!

Emergency NPs are improving outcomes

Published this summer, this editorial discusses the decades of scholarly literature that confirms NPs provide comparable outcomes to physicians, offering comprehensive and timely emergency care based on the latest evidence-based practices, as demonstrated in the annotated bibliography provided. Worth repeating: We need more research like this to support the vital role of APPs in emergency care!

⚙️ The More You Know

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Updates are Here!

Low dose Aspirin may not have any role in the primary prevention of stroke in older adults

Clinicians have been recommending aspirin for decades. More evidence points towards the fact we need to individualize care or we can cause more harm than good.

New CDC guidelines for RSV Vaccination in Adults

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe respiratory illness in older adults. In May 2023, we published an article on the FDA approval for the first RSV vaccines for adults ≥60 years. Update: As of June 2023, ACIP recommended single-dose RSV vaccines with shared clinical decision-making for adults ≥60 years. This report outlines the evidence and clinical guidance for RSV vaccines in this vulnerable population.

FDA Approves New Drug to Prevent RSV in Babies and Toddlers

Tackling the pressing issue of protecting our infants from RSV, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip), a monoclonal antibody, for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in neonates, infants, and children up to 24 months old. RSV's deadly impact is particularly pronounced in premature infants and the elderly. Beyfortus, administered through a single intramuscular injection, provides protection during the RSV season (fall/winter).

💡Inspiration for Aspirations

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We are not makers of history. We are made by history.

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Little History Lesson: How the PA and NP Professions Were Started

Advanced practice providers are essential in providing healthcare access to patients and are vital members of the healthcare team. This week's inspiration focuses on uniting, empowering, and elevating PAs and NPs by seeing how far we have come as a profession. Pro-tip: Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth we can continue to elevate healthcare TOGETHER!

History of a physician assistant/associate

The physician assistant profession has been around since the mid-1960s when the shortage of physicians and educators became more evident. To solve the shortage the first PA program was started in 1965 and over half a century later there are over 168,000 physician assistants licensed in the United States. Check out this awesome infographic or the PA Historical Society. Hey, fun facts may come handy in that interview!

History of a nurse practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner Profession was also founded in response to the physician shortages as healthcare coverage was expanded for Medicaid and Medicare recipients. NPs are essential in the primary care workforce and today there are over 270,000 NPs in the United States.

🧪Clinical Conundrums: Because We Love a Challenge!

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🔎ICYMI

  • Senate Introduces the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act

  • Oregon Medical Board Adds Seats for Physician Assistants (PAs)

  • Tick bites Are Causing a Life-Threatening Meat Allergy

  • Quick Back to School Health Tips

  • The AHA Releases Official Scientific Stance on E-Cigarettes and Vaping

  • E-Cigarette Usage Soars Among Youth, Let’s Talk to Kids

  • Need a Back-to-School Wellness plan? We Have You Covered. Meet Dr. Marlo Miller. Inspiring Wellness in Her Community

  • Looking for Free CME/CEU Content? It’s HERE.

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