Ballweg: Physician Assistant: A Guide to Clinical Practice 4th Edition (Expert Consult Series)

In many ways the history and utilization of this publication mirror the expansion of the physician assistant (PA) profession. The first edition, published in 1994, was the first PA textbook to be developed by a major publisher and was at first considered to be a potential risk. Ultimately, it was seen as a major milestone for our profession. Our first editor, Lisa Biello, attended the national PA conference in New Orleans and immediately saw the potential! She made a strong case to the W.B. Saunders Co. for the development of the book. Quickly, other publishers followed her lead. Now there are multiple PA-specific textbooks and other published resources for use in PA programs and by practicing physician assistants.

The first edition was written at a time of rapid growth in the number of PA programs and in the number of PA students enrolled. Intended primarily for PA students, the text was also used by administrators, employers, PA graduates, and PA applicants. Its publication signaled a new level of maturation for the PA profession.

The second edition was expanded and updated to reflect the growth of the PA profession.

The third edition included eight new chapters and a new format, including “Case Studies” illustrating the narrative in “real-life” terms; “Clinical Applications” in the form of questions to stimulate thought, discussion, and further investigation; and a “Resources” section to provide an annotated list of books, articles, organizations, and/or websites for follow-up research.

The fourth edition has a totally new look. Sections covering materials now available in other books (e.g., physical examination and detailed history-taking skills) have been omitted. Significant new material has been added on the international PA movement, professionalism, patient safety, health disparities, PA roles in internal medicine and hospitalist settings, and issues in caring for patients with disabilities. Some topics have been reframed and combined with other topics (e.g., public health emergencies and rehabilitative and long-term care systems). Most important, we’ve reorganized the book's content to make it more responsive to the new Physician Assistant Competencies, which were approved by all four major PA organizations in 2006. (See “Appendix: Physician Assistant Competencies.”) New sections on professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice address specific topics delineated in the competencies.

Many PA programs find the text useful for their professional roles course and as a supplement to other core courses. PA students have found the chapters on specific specialties helpful in preparing for clinical rotations. PA graduates thinking about changing jobs and encountering new challenges in credentialing will find a number of relevant examinations. All practicing PAs will find the new material useful as they continue their life-long learning in a rapidly changing health care system. Health care administrators and employers can benefit from an overview of the profession, as well as information specific to PA roles and job descriptions. Policy analysts and health care researchers will find a wealth of information at the micro and macro levels. Finally, potential PAs can be informed and inspired by the accomplishments of the profession.

Although Dr. Eugene Stead died in 2005, we have decided to continue to use the foreword that he wrote for this book. Encouraged by Dr. Stead and by countless colleagues, students, and patients, we hope that this text can continue to serve as a resource and inspiration for the PA profession.

Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C, Edward M. Sullivan, MS, PA-C, Darwin Brown, MPH, PA-C, Daniel Vetrosky, PA-C, MEd

Key Features

• Covers all the core competencies that you need to master for year one or for recertification, so you can excel.
• Gives you the information you need on all of the rotations and practice areas that are open to you to help you make the right decisions.
• Offers practical Pros and Cons box for each rotation and area of practice to aid in day-to-day decision making.
• Utilizes a fresh new two color format for better visual guidance.
• Focuses on clinical information with case studies included at the end of each chapter.
• Includes a new chapter on evidence-based medicine to prepare you for daily practice.
• Provides Expert Consult access so you can search the entire contents of the book, online.
• Includes a new chapter on Physician Assistants in international medicine to keep you on the cutting edge.

Website Features

• Consult the book from any computer at home, in your office, or at any practice location.
• Instantly locate the answers to your clinical questions via a simple search query.
• Quickly find out more about any bibliographical citation by linking to its MEDLINE abstract.

Contents

Section I - Overview

• Chapter 1 - History Of The Profession And Current Trends
• Chapter 2 - International Development Of Physician Assistants
• Chapter 3 - Education
• Chapter 4 - Credentialing: Accreditation, Certification, Licensing, And Privileging
• Chapter 5 - Financing And Reimbursement
• Chapter 6 - The Political Process

Section II - Medical Knowledge

• Chapter 7 - Safety In Clinical Settings
• Chapter 8 - Utilizing Diagnostic Studies
• Chapter 9 - Clinical Procedures
• Chapter 10 - Genetics In Primary Care
• Chapter 11 - Chronic Care Perspectives
• Chapter 12 - Pharmacology: The Use Of Medications
• Chapter 13 - Complementary And Alternative Medicine

Section III - Interpersonal And Communication Skills

• Chapter 14 - Patient Record
• Chapter 15 - Interviewing And Communication Skills

Section IV - Patient Care

• Chapter 16 - Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, And Patient Education
• Chapter 17 - Primary Care: Family Practice And Internal Medicine
• Chapter 18 - Internal Medicine
• Chapter 19 - Physician Assistants In Hospital Medicine
• Chapter 20 - Emergency Medicine
• Chapter 21 - Pediatrics
• Chapter 22 - Obstetrics And Gynecology
• Chapter 23 - Surgery
• Chapter 24 - Orthopedics
• Chapter 25 - Dermatology
• Chapter 26 - Oncology
• Chapter 27 - Infectious Disease
• Chapter 28 - Geriatric Medicine
• Chapter 29 - Occupational And Environmental Medicine
• Chapter 30 - Behavioral Science And Medicine: Essentials In Practice
• Chapter 31 - Patients With Disabilities
• Chapter 32 - End Of Life Issues
• Chapter 33 - Public Health Emergencies

Section V - Professionalism

• Chapter 34 - Professionalism
• Chapter 35 - Clinical Ethics
• Chapter 36 - Medical Malpractice And Risk Management
• Chapter 37 - Employment: Building Your Career
• Chapter 38 - Postgraduate Residency Programs
• Chapter 39 - Dealing With Stress And Burnout

Section VI - Practice-Based Learning And Improvement

• Chapter 40 - Evidence-Based Medicine
• Chapter 41 - Research And The Physician Assistant
• Chapter 42 - Utilizing Consultants And Community Resources
• Chapter 43 - Health Disparities

Section VII - Systems-Based Practice

• Chapter 44 - The Uninsured: Challenges And Solutions
• Chapter 45 - Inpatient Systems
• Chapter 46 - Ambulatory Services
• Chapter 47 - Rehabilitative And Long-Term Care Systems
• Chapter 48 - Health Care For The Homeless
• Chapter 49 - Correctional Medicine
• Chapter 50 - Military Medicine
• Chapter 51 - Inner-City Health Care
• Chapter 52 - Rural Health Care
• Chapter 53 - International Health Care

Appendix: Competencies For The Physician Assistant Profession

• Preamble
• Introduction
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal And Communication Skills
• Patient Care
• Professionalism
• Practice-Based Learning And Improvement
• Systems-Based Practice

Product Details

• Paperback: 960 pages
• Publisher: Saunders; 4 edition (May 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141604485X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416044857
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 1.3 inches

List Price: $99.95