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Sexual Health in Patients With Rheumatic Disease: How to Ask Sensitive Questions in a Clinical Setting
Posted By: 
Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
August 05, 2022
It is not easy to ask our patients about sexual health and functioning. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2022 meeting held in early June had an interesting abstract on using the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ)-14. This questionnaire was used as a means to assess sexual functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Researchers interviewed 188 patients (RA, PsA, and healthy controls) and measured... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Hope Tempered With Reality
Posted By: 
Tracey M. Piparo, PA-C
June 27, 2022
"We don't want to lose hope or let Mom think we don't believe she'll get better." For palliative care providers like myself, this is a common sentim... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Practice Management/Career
How Much News Is Too Much News?
Posted By: 
Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
June 14, 2022
With the COVID-19 pandemic and influx of global interest in current events, many people started consuming—or starting consuming more—news stories. This i... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous
Is Gardening Good for Your Health?
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
June 01, 2022
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people spend much more time at home. One of the at-home activities that gained popularity was gardening. I was cur... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Toxic Culture and Driving Meaningful Change
Posted By: 
Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C
May 20, 2022
I have recently taken an increased interest in podcasts. One of my favorites is Brené Brown's Dare to Lead series. In an April 2022 episode, Brown... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Practice Management/Career
May Is Older Americans Month
Posted By: 
Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
May 13, 2022
In the month of May, we celebrate Older Americans Month, led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). To honor this month, on April 29, 2022, Presid... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Pesticide Poisoning: What APPs Should Know
Posted By: 
Paola Gonzalez, MPAS, PA-C
May 06, 2022
Pesticides—which can be found in insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, and nematicides—can pose health risks to humans by im... Continue Reading
Filed under: Curbside Consultations, Miscellaneous
Diversity in Research and the All of Us Research Program
Posted By: Paola Gonzalez, MPAS, PA-C
May 03, 2022
I have been working in the PA field for well over 18 years and have always thrived on knowing that I am treating my patients with evidence-based medicine. Ho... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous, Women's Health
True Confessions of a Former Sugar-Substitute Lover
Posted By: 
Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
April 19, 2022
For years I drank beverages sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners and thought they were the greatest invention—I could enjoy a sweet treat without th... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Women Making a Difference and Paving the Way: Part 2 – Nurse Practitioners
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
March 25, 2022
In this second post for Women's History Month, I will be focusing on the contributions of female NPs who have gone above and beyond in the field to exemplify... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, NPs & PAs
Women Making a Difference and Paving the Way: Part 1 – Physician Associates/Assistants
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
March 21, 2022
In New York City, the 1-year anniversary of the garment workers' strike—where the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union led 15,000 women in a march... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, NPs & PAs
Barriers in Healthcare: A Focus on Language
Posted By: Paola Gonzalez, MPAS, PA-C
March 04, 2022
We live in a society filled with a diverse set of cultures and languages. The US especially has been known to have one of the largest immigrant populations.... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Practice Management/Career
Facilitating Behavior Changes
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
February 18, 2022
I recently listened to a very good speaker on helping patients with behavior change. Dr Judson Brewer is an addiction psychiatrist who has researched mindful... Continue Reading
Filed under: Curbside Consultations, Miscellaneous
The Health Risk of Consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Posted By: Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
February 04, 2022
When I inquire about dietary intake during a new patient history, I am always surprised to hear how many people drink sugar-sweetened beverages. Although con... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine
Attitude: Reframing a Bad Diagnosis
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
November 30, 2021
As medical practitioners it can be our job to inform patients of serious illness. Any diagnosis that is new to the patient and implies changing one's li... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Wearable Technology Is Helpful, But Not Perfect
Posted By: 
Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
November 16, 2021
We have all seen this scenario before: A patient comes in and tells you that they've seen a concerning reading on their smartphone or smartwatch regarding so... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
IV Tocilizumab Shortage for Rheumatology Patients: A Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
November 02, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to our daily rheumatology practices: From the initial switch to mostly telemedicine appointments in early 2... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Moving Forward
Posted By: Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C
October 19, 2021
With so many stories circulating about our collective struggle to "return to normal" after the last year and a half, I have been thinking a lot about how we... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Focus on the Task
Posted By: Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C
October 15, 2021
Effective leaders, in any space, have the ability to successfully modulate their emotions as part of self-regulation. This allows for the selective filtering... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Practice Management/Career
How to Withdraw Life Support
Posted By: 
John Hardisty, MS, MSPAS, PA-C
October 05, 2021
This is a follow-up to my previous blog... Continue Reading
Filed under: Curbside Consultations, Miscellaneous
Palliative Care Starts Sooner Than You Think!
Posted By: John Hardisty, MS, MSPAS, PA-C
October 01, 2021
Last year, I transitioned from being an ER PA to a critical care PA, now working in our hospital's ICU. It was not the hardest job change I have ever made: I... Continue Reading
Filed under: Curbside Consultations, Miscellaneous
Innovation in a Post-Pandemic World: What We Have Taught Ourselves
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
July 30, 2021
So much has changed since January of this year. By now, most states are working to get back to some sense of normalcy while hospitals and healthcare systems... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous, Practice Management/Career
An Exciting Prospect for an Old SSRI in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
May 25, 2021
Can an old selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluvoxamine, prevent individuals infected with COVID-19 from severe clinical decompensation? This 4... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Miscellaneous
Should We Be Screening all Patients Over 50 for Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
April 30, 2021
A growing public health issue for older adults is impaired sight. In fact, in 2011, 12% of US adults aged 65 to 74 years reported trouble with their vision,... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine
The Sky Isn’t the Limit for This PA
Posted By: 
Lawrence Herman, DMSc, MPA, PA-C
March 19, 2021
Hayley Arceneaux, PA-C, is anything but ordinary. At the age of 10, she already had her black belt in Taekwondo. Then she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, NPs & PAs
Bringing Awareness to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Posted By: 
Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
November 10, 2020
Social media has revolutionized the way that humans see themselves. Thanks to filters and Photoshop, we can create and post the perfect image of ourselves, c... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Psychiatry
Climate Change and Health: Let’s Take a Stand to Save Lives!
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
September 11, 2020
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that climate change has a significant negative effect... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Public Health
Sunscreen Updates
Posted By: Lakshi M. Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP
August 11, 2020
Everyone knows they should protect their skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB exposure. The proper way to do so, however, has been the subject of muc... Continue Reading
Filed under: Dermatology, Miscellaneous
Acute Versus Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Posted By: 
Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
June 09, 2020
Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), also commonly called bowel or intestinal ischemia, refers to inadequate blood flow to the small intestine (arterial or venou... Continue Reading
Filed under: Gastroenterology, Miscellaneous
National Nurses Week May 6-12: Let’s Not Forget Where It Started
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
May 08, 2020
Two hundred years ago, on May 12th, Florence Nightingale was born—it is now a day when we celebrate nurses around the world. Did you know that... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, NPs & PAs
Throat Abscess Differentiation
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
April 28, 2020
Deep neck space infections are frequently seen in medical clinics and EDs despite the advent of antibiotics. They most commonly arise from a septic focus of... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Silver Linings
Posted By: Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C
April 10, 2020
In the wake of the fear, confusion, and devastation propagated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are realizing the world as we have known it will forever be a cha... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Global Commitment and Pandemic Prevention
Posted By: Heather M. Hylton, MS, PA-C
April 07, 2020
Several years ago, I was fortunate to hike in the Zambia bush where I was accompanied by a naturalist who spoke of the many issues related to wildlife trade... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Miscellaneous, Public Health
Intermittent Fasting: Is it Hype or Is There Science Behind It?
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
March 10, 2020
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a form of time-restricted fasting that involves consuming foods during a specific time window and fasting for the remaining hour... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous
Consent for Invasive Exams While Under Anesthesia?
Posted By: Mary Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN
March 06, 2020
There was an interesting article in the New York Times called "She Didn't Want a Pelvic Exam. She Received One Anyway. Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous
Loretta C. Ford Turns 99
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
January 14, 2020
On December 28, 2019, Dr Loretta C. Ford, co-founder of the first nurse practitioner program, turned 99. Loretta is known to her friends as "Lee,... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, NPs & PAs
Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A Common Sense Approach to Diagnosis and Management
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
December 27, 2019
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is all too common in New England during the colder months of the year. In October, we often see patients return who ha... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Can High-dose Vitamin D Prevent Functional Decline in Our Older Population?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
December 24, 2019
Lower extremity functional decline in our elderly population is a major risk factor for falls, hip fracture, frailty, and loss of autonomy. As the baby boome... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Orthopedics, Preventive Medicine
Intermittent Fasting
Posted By: Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
December 20, 2019
If you think about how humans have been eating for centuries, it has likely included some "natural" intermittent fasting. For examp... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
Circadian Rhythms and Metabolic Syndrome
Posted By: Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
December 17, 2019
As researchers explore the complex relationship of circadian rhythm and metabolic syndrome, they are searching for root causes and best treatment approaches Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
The Continued Study of an Old Drug: Aspirin
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
December 13, 2019
It started out by taking extract from the willow tree and using it as a medicinal agent well over 150 years ago. Today, this extract, now transformed into ac... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
December 06, 2019
December 2-6, 2019 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. This week aims to promote public understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation in... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Can Robots Read Your CT Scan?
Posted By: 
Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP
October 30, 2019
At a plenary session of the World Conference on Lung Cancer in September, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain, Hugo Aerts, PhD presented fascinating data on the use of... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Oncology/Hematology
An Updated Cochrane Review: Can Exercise Reduce Falls in Our Elderly Population? Which Exercises Show Proof?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 22, 2019
We all know how devastating falls can be in our older patients. I send many to physical therapy specifically for fall prevention. Most have osteoporosis, an... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Orthopedics
The “HINTS” Examination in Vertigo
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
October 15, 2019
Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It presents a unique problem for many clinicians because it is symptomatic of a plethora of diagnoses, ranging from be... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Neurology
FDA Approves First Oral GLP-1 RA
Posted By: 
Lawrence Herman, PA-C, MPA
October 08, 2019
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved semaglutide (Rybelsus, Novo Nordisk) as the first oral glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA)&mda... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
What’s the Best Way to Stay Hydrated?
Posted By: Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
September 17, 2019
I see patients with acute illnesses in urgent care every week, and many have fever and anorexia, and are a bit dehydrated. As part of the management plan, I... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Public Health
Managing Multiple Generations in Your Workplace
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
September 13, 2019
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Filed under: Miscellaneous
An Interesting Wrinkle in the Hahnemann University Hospital Bankruptcy
Posted By: 
Lawrence Herman, MPA, PA-C
August 02, 2019
Hahnemann University Hospital has been an institution in downtown Philadelphia, seemingly forever. The level I trauma center, medical training facility, and... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Beat the Heat
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
July 05, 2019
Your body may be unable to cool itself in hot temperatures, which could lead to a heat stroke or heat exhaustion. This is very common in the summer months. H... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Firework Safety Tips
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
July 02, 2019
Happy Canada Day (July 1) and Happy 4th of July to all the NPs and PAs! According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
National Stop the Bleed Month
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
May 17, 2019
Did you know that May 2019 is the first-ever National Stop the Bleed Month? Also, May 23 is the second annual Stop the Bleed® Day. So what is “... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
It’s a Digital World: Screen Time Recommendations for Children
Posted By: Susan Tiso, DNP, FNP-BC
May 03, 2019
We definitely live in a different day and age than when I was a child… As children, my siblings and I just opened the door and went outside to play all day... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
The History of Simulation
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP
March 26, 2019
As director of a simulation center at an academic institution, it has been exciting to see the remarkable advances made in this field over time. The u... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Who Should Step Up to Help in an In-flight Medical Emergency?
Posted By: Lawrence Herman, MPA, PA-C
January 25, 2019
Recently I got an email from Medscape that detailed three articles, and one piqued my curiosity: “Who Should Step Up to Help in an In-flight Medical Emerge... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous