Commentary and Observations from
the Medical Front Lines
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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.
Sun Protection
Posted By: 
Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
February 25, 2020
In the late 1970s, the promotion of sun protection was almost nonexistent, even though Swiss researcher, Franz Greiter, had developed the concept of sun protection factor (SPF). The first products were introduced to the US market in 1978; they had low SPFs of 2 or 4 and were designed to be "tanning enhancers" that helped you darken without burning. In the early 1980s, a Photobiology Committee of experts was created by the Skin Cancer Foundation, which helped establis... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
The Lowdown on Popular Psoriasis Medications
Posted By: 
Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
February 21, 2020
These days, it seems that most of us can't avoid seeing a commercial for a psoriasis medication when watching our favorite shows. Most of the ad... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Atopic Dermatitis – It’s Not Just Skin Deep
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
February 18, 2020
Atopic dermatitis (AD), or "eczema," is a common cutaneous disorder that most primary care clinicians see in their practices. Howev... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology
Coronavirus Update: Transmission – What Do We Know?
Posted By: 
Susan M. Tiso, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
February 14, 2020
On January 30, 2020, the first confirmed case of person-to-person 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) transmission was reported in the United States. Also on... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Coronavirus Update: Thoughts on Its Origin
Posted By: Susan M. Tiso, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
February 12, 2020
We've known for years that influenza virus occurs in both humans and animals—including swine and birds—and... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Infectious Disease Update – Novel Community-acquired Human Coronavirus: CDC Guidelines for Providers
Posted By: 
Susanne J. Phillips, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
February 07, 2020
As we know, there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first reported from Wuhan, China. CDC screening recomme... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Infectious Disease Update – Novel Community-acquired Human Coronavirus
Posted By: Susanne J. Phillips, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
February 04, 2020
On Thursday, January 23, 2020, Chinese authorities closed Wuhan's airports, train stations, bus stations, and ports. By now, several other citie... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Public Health
New Cholesterol Drug Soon to Make It to the United States
Posted By: 
Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
January 31, 2020
Normally, when a new drug hits the United States market you will see a small market spike of curiosity. As we continually seek ways to improve the health and... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Connecting with our Patients: What Matters Most
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
January 28, 2020
We all have busy clinical days, but it is still important to make a personal connection with our patients. I think it is fair to say that one of the main rea... Continue Reading
Filed under: NPs & PAs, Practice Management/Career
Cancer Screening Guidelines 2020: Let’s Recap!
Posted By: 
Beth Eaby-Sandy, MSN, CRNP, OCN
January 24, 2020
We now have screening tools and methodologies for several of the most common types of cancer. Each year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) publishes updated... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Oncology/Hematology, Preventive Medicine