Public Education Committee In recent years, there has been an increasing public awareness of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession. A recent article in Oprah Magazine prominently featured the PA profession. (See article at http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200903_omag_primary_care) Though this is encouraging, PAs must continue organized efforts to educate the public regarding the role of the PA in healthcare today. The need for such awareness was evidenced in September of 2007 when an international public relations company was hired by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) board of directors to research consumer awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of the PA profession. The outcome of that research, which consisted of a baseline omnibus survey of 1,004 adult consumers, revealed that two-thirds of healthcare consumers had heard of the PA profession, and the majority characterized PAs as “approachable”. Yet of those same consumers, only 20% were able to accurately describe what PAs do. Thus, it is obvious that continued efforts to educate the public about what PAs actually do is still necessary.
Educating the general public, other healthcare providers, major corporate leaders, and legislators is essential to the profession. The dissemination of such information is the primary focus of the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants Public Education Committee (SCAPA PEC). This year, SCAPA PEC has attended medical meetings and career fairs. The committee has also worked to update SCAPA literature about the profession, and has placed a SCAPA advertisement in the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians’ journal. In the fall, the PEC partnered with the MUSC PA students of 2010 to plan public education events for PA Week. Such events included an official proclamation of PA Week by Charleston Mayor Riley and a well-attended presentation by SCAPA President Roberta Alsworth. President Alsworth spoke eloquently regarding health issues specific to South Carolina citizens and South Carolina PAs. MUSC President, Dr. Ray Greenburg, also spoke at the event, and applauded MUSC PA students of 2010 for their enthusiasm and volunteerism. With the rapid growth of the PA profession and impending health care reform, it is a crucial time for the PAs of South Carolina. It is the responsibility of every practicing PA to educate others about his or her role in healthcare. This is especially true in South Carolina. Late spring and early summer events are currently being planned. PEC events are excellent opportunities for fun and networking with other health professionals and community leaders. Consider joining the Public Education Committee this year. The effort you put forth on behalf of PA public education will be yours to reap tomorrow as a greater understanding of the PA profession benefits you, and most importantly, your patients.
by Jamie Woody, PA-C, MPAS
Chair-Public Education Committee