Welcome to PCE's The Exchange—Stay Current on Issues That Matter Most to You and Your NP/PA Colleagues

PCE is excited to announce the launch of The Exchange, a collection of short commentaries from your NP/PA colleagues on a broad range of topics relevant to your practice. The Exchange will bring you reflections on trends in medicine, observations about new treatments and guidelines, and advice related to career decisions and practicing in today's changing healthcare environment.

What Is the Difference Between the Flu and COVID-19?

Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN
October 23, 2020

With flu season right around the corner, healthcare providers are going to be challenged with differentiating flu from COVID-19. There are several similarities and differences: Of course, both are contagious respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.Flu is caused by infection with the influenza virus, while COVID-19 is caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2.

This year, patients may present with symp... Continue Reading

Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Public Health

Phytophotodermatitis: Skin Rash With a Twist

Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
October 21, 2020

Phytophotodermatitis, also known as the "margarita rash," is a commonly seen condition in the spring and summer months or any time a patient has had exposure... Continue Reading

Filed under: Dermatology

Sign of the Times: Facial Mask Irritation

Posted By: Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
October 16, 2020

Masks trap moisture, sweat, oil, and dirt close to our skin. The resulting blemishes often include acne: small, inflamed bumps and irritation. Those irritati... Continue Reading

Filed under: Dermatology

Happy PA Week!

Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN
October 13, 2020

Physician Assistant (PA) week is celebrated every year from October 6th through 12th. The first PA program was started at Duke University in 1965. National P... Continue Reading

Filed under: NPs & PAs

ACR Recommendations for Adult Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Context of COVID-19

Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 09, 2020

Since COVID-19 will continue to be with us for some time, patients on disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may discontinue therapy on their own due... Continue Reading

Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology

Synovial Biopsy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Next Big Thing?

Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 06, 2020

Synovial fluid aspirates, biomarkers in blood, serologic testing, radiography, and ultrasonography have all been used to assist in the diagnosis and manageme... Continue Reading

Filed under: Rheumatology

Prostate Cancer and Shared Decision-Making

Posted By: Terran W. Sims, ACNP-BC, MSN, CNN, COCN
October 02, 2020

All men are at risk for prostate cancer and one out of nine will develop the disease; age and family history influence the chance of a man developing prostat... Continue Reading

Filed under: Oncology/Hematology, Practice Management/Career, Urology

Microscopic Hematuria: New AUA/SUFU Guidelines Published July 2020

Posted By: Terran W. Sims, ACNP-BC, MSN, CNN, COCN
September 29, 2020

A new version of the American Urologic Association (AUA)/Society of Urodynamics & Female Urology (SUFA) guideline for microhematuria has just been published... Continue Reading

Filed under: Oncology/Hematology, Urology

Screening for Unhealthy Drug Use

Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 18, 2020

Despite all the knowledge and technology that we have these days, we still see a vast amount of patients who engage in unhealthy substance use (eg, alcohol,... Continue Reading

Filed under: Public Health, Substance Abuse

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 15, 2020

I had a patient the other day who came in intoxicated and tried to "school" me on the benefits of alcohol. Yes, there are some potential heart-healthy benefi... Continue Reading

Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Substance Abuse