AAO-HNSF Collaborates on Physician Assistant Education
With the goal of improving patient care by providing resources that allow physician assistants (PAs) and otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons to work together, the AAO-HNSF has been collaborating with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS). All are working together to determine ways to share resources and educate their members who are using AAO-HNSF resources.Each organization understands and recognizes that educating PAs in the practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery will increase their value to Foundation members while educating them on the benefits PAs bring to their practices. It is also hoped that, through increased awareness, the number of otolaryngology positions available to graduating PAs will increase. “As stated in our strategic plan, the Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of patient care by expanding the knowledge base of anyone who uses otolaryngology content, including allied healthcare professionals,” said David R. Nielsen, MD, executive vice president and CEO of AAO-HNSF. “Our partnership with AAPA and SPAO-HNS is a great example of how we can provide quality education opportunities to such a valuable audience.” One successful outcome of this project has been Clinical Otolaryngology Online (COOL). COOL is a free, peer-reviewed case study series that leads the learner from patient presentation through diagnosis, treatment, and referral. As part of the partnership, these courses are approved for AAPA Category 1 CME credit. COOL is an excellent instructive program for health professionals who regularly encounter otolaryngology-related problems. Written by leading experts in otolaryngology, COOL cases are interactive patient scenarios that make use of e-learning technology to prepare the learner for a variety of common otolaryngologic situations. COOL is an engaging learning experience for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, primary care providers, medical students, and other health professionals. To date, there have been 2,000 completions of more than 30 COOL courses. A second significant endeavor in this partnership is the ENT for the PA-C conference. The first successfully took place in February 2011 and the second is scheduled for April 2012 in Arlington, VA. The conference is an engaging education opportunity focused on diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. The conference is cosponsored by the three partners. It brings top faculty from across the nation to give attendees a clinical rundown on some of the most frequently encountered ENT diseases and disorders. Course directors for 2012 include Foundation leaders Ashutosh Kacker, MD, Karen Pitman, MD, and Marie Gilbert, PA-C. Course faculty includes more than 20 physicians and physician assistant experts from AAO-HNS, AAPA, and SPAO-HNS. “As a physician shortage looms, physician assistants have taken on a prominent role,” said Dr. Kacker of Weill Cornell Medical Center. “This course is very important as it helps PAs improve their knowledge and skill levels, and it provides a platform to interact with otolaryngology–head and neck surgery experts.” For 2012, lectures will be a mix of general and advanced courses with panel discussions and case reviews. Basic and advanced scope sessions will be offered, as well as procedures workshops on otoscopy, epistaxis control, and tracheostomy care. Participants will have ample time to interact with the faculty and network with colleagues. To learn more about this year’s conference visit www.aapa.org/ent. “As a leading provider of educational support for PAs and a champion of patient-centered care, AAPA is dedicated to working with our partner AAO-HNSF to provide practical and valuable educational activities for PAs, to improve patient outcomes, and drive healthcare transformation,” said Mike Saxton, MEd, senior vice president and chief learning officer, AAPA. “With two successful collaborative programs, COOL and ENT for the PA-C, AAPA is excited to enhance our partnership with AAO-HNSF to provide dynamic individualized educational resources and push our programs to new heights.” The Foundation looks forward to its continued collaboration with AAPA and SPAO-HNS and to developing other successful partnerships to continue to reach new audiences and develop new resources. Comments from 2011 ENT for the PA-C conference attendees“Long overdue conference! Would have been a godsend when I started in ENT care, but it is still of significant value.” “Extremely well arranged conference in excellent location for a very affordable price.” “Impressive … and greatly appreciated.” “Well done. Topical, friendly, and collegial atmosphere.” “… excellent course with lots of pearls that only come with experience …” “This was very well done. The topic breakdown was great. Some of the material was review and other parts filled in a few gaps and tied it up for me.” “Best course in 10 years! Great review. Takes even a seasoned PA to think basics. Great job SPAO, AAPA, and AAO-HNS!”
With the goal of improving patient care by providing resources that allow physician assistants (PAs) and otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons to work together, the AAO-HNSF has been collaborating with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS). All are working together to determine ways to share resources and educate their members who are using AAO-HNSF resources.Each organization understands and recognizes that educating PAs in the practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery will increase their value to Foundation members while educating them on the benefits PAs bring to their practices. It is also hoped that, through increased awareness, the number of otolaryngology positions available to graduating PAs will increase.
“As stated in our strategic plan, the Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of patient care by expanding the knowledge base of anyone who uses otolaryngology content, including allied healthcare professionals,” said David R. Nielsen, MD, executive vice president and CEO of AAO-HNSF. “Our partnership with AAPA and SPAO-HNS is a great example of how we can provide quality education opportunities to such a valuable audience.”
One successful outcome of this project has been Clinical Otolaryngology Online (COOL). COOL is a free, peer-reviewed case study series that leads the learner from patient presentation through diagnosis, treatment, and referral. As part of the partnership, these courses are approved for AAPA Category 1 CME credit.
COOL is an excellent instructive program for health professionals who regularly encounter otolaryngology-related problems. Written by leading experts in otolaryngology, COOL cases are interactive patient scenarios that make use of e-learning technology to prepare the learner for a variety of common otolaryngologic situations. COOL is an engaging learning experience for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, primary care providers, medical students, and other health professionals. To date, there have been 2,000 completions of more than 30 COOL courses.
A second significant endeavor in this partnership is the ENT for the PA-C conference. The first successfully took place in February 2011 and the second is scheduled for April 2012 in Arlington, VA. The conference is an engaging education opportunity focused on diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. The conference is cosponsored by the three partners. It brings top faculty from across the nation to give attendees a clinical rundown on some of the most frequently encountered ENT diseases and disorders.
Course directors for 2012 include Foundation leaders Ashutosh Kacker, MD, Karen Pitman, MD, and Marie Gilbert, PA-C. Course faculty includes more than 20 physicians and physician assistant experts from AAO-HNS, AAPA, and SPAO-HNS.
“As a physician shortage looms, physician assistants have taken on a prominent role,” said Dr. Kacker of Weill Cornell Medical Center. “This course is very important as it helps PAs improve their knowledge and skill levels, and it provides a platform to interact with otolaryngology–head and neck surgery experts.” For 2012, lectures will be a mix of general and advanced courses with panel discussions and case reviews. Basic and advanced scope sessions will be offered, as well as procedures workshops on otoscopy, epistaxis control, and tracheostomy care. Participants will have ample time to interact with the faculty and network with colleagues. To learn more about this year’s conference visit www.aapa.org/ent.
“As a leading provider of educational support for PAs and a champion of patient-centered care, AAPA is dedicated to working with our partner AAO-HNSF to provide practical and valuable educational activities for PAs, to improve patient outcomes, and drive healthcare transformation,” said Mike Saxton, MEd, senior vice president and chief learning officer, AAPA. “With two successful collaborative programs, COOL and ENT for the PA-C, AAPA is excited to enhance our partnership with AAO-HNSF to provide dynamic individualized educational resources and push our programs to new heights.”
The Foundation looks forward to its continued collaboration with AAPA and SPAO-HNS and to developing other successful partnerships to continue to reach new audiences and develop new resources.
Comments from 2011 ENT for the PA-C conference attendees“Long overdue conference! Would have been a godsend when I started in ENT care, but it is still of significant value.”
“Extremely well arranged conference in excellent location for a very affordable price.”
“Impressive … and greatly appreciated.”
“Well done. Topical, friendly, and collegial atmosphere.”
“… excellent course with lots of pearls that only come with experience …”
“This was very well done. The topic breakdown was great. Some of the material was review and other parts filled in a few gaps and tied it up for me.”
“Best course in 10 years! Great review. Takes even a seasoned PA to think basics. Great job SPAO, AAPA, and AAO-HNS!”