Commentary and Observations from
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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.
Diet and Depression: Is There a Link?
Posted By: 
Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
February 26, 2021
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Lately, there has been a renewed interest in the effect of diet on mood. Poor nutrition is a factor in the experience of low mood, and improving diet may help protect not only physical health, but also mental health. Current research suggests that dietary interventions may be an effective adjunctive treatment for depression.
Multiple studies have found that the Mediterran... Continue Reading
Filed under: Psychiatry
What Can You Tell Patients After Their Second COVID Vaccination?
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
February 23, 2021
Patients are beginning to ask what they can safely do after they have received both doses of the currently approved COVID vaccines. What do the experts and t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Preventive Medicine, Public Health
Major Stroke Prevention: A New Use for a Well-Known Medication
Posted By: 
Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
February 19, 2021
Strokes can have a devastating impact on the long-term survival and function of our patients. Therapies to treat them have been well established, and there h... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
It’s Time to Talk About Vaccinations
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
February 16, 2021
As we make our way through the immunization phase of the COVID pandemic, I cannot help but think about the many Americans who have not received their vaccine... Continue Reading
Filed under: Preventive Medicine, Public Health
Understanding Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Posted By: 
Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 12, 2021
Color changes in patients' fingertips during cold weather can be confusing. It is important to distinguish Raynaud's phenomenon, as it can be associated with... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Not so FAST! Febuxostat vs Allopurinol Showing Equal Safety – Results of the FAST Trial in Europe
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 09, 2021
Optimal management of gout requires urate-lowering therapy; two commonly prescribed therapies for this are febuxostat and allopurinol. However, since 2018, t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
My Experience With COVID-19 – An NP’s Perspective, Part 2
Posted By: 
Martha Kingman, FNP-C, DNP
February 05, 2021
In my previous post, I wrote about becoming ill with COVID-19 and how the initial symptoms impacted me. In this post, I'll be discussing home care tips that... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, NPs & PAs, Pulmonary Medicine
My Experience With COVID-19 – An NP’s Perspective, Part 1
Posted By: Martha Kingman, FNP-C, DNP
February 02, 2021
Even as an NP practicing 20 years in a pulmonary clinic, I was not prepared for how ill I became when I contracted COVID-19 just after Christmas 2020. ... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, NPs & PAs, Pulmonary Medicine
Stinging Insect Allergy
Posted By: 
Amanda Michaud, MMS, PA-C
January 29, 2021
Stinging insect allergy accounts for 10% of all cases of anaphylaxis. Stings from flying hymenopterans and fire ants are responsible for most cases. Approxim... Continue Reading
Filed under: Allergy/Immunology
Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES)
Posted By: Amanda Michaud, MMS, PA-C
January 26, 2021
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non–immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated food allergy that typically presents in infants. The most commo... Continue Reading
Filed under: Allergy/Immunology