From a email message posted on the PA Forum on 4/25/04:

After several conversations this morning, It has come to my attention that
there is a misperception that the AFPPA and ACC have a relationship because
of my role in both organizations. This is a clarification regarding the
relationship between AAPA, AFPPA and ACC.

The Association of Family Practice PAs (AFPPA) is a specialty organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The AFPPA has no relationship to the American College of Physicians (ACC). I am on the BOD of the AFPPA as Immediate Past President, and also on the ACC Board of Advisors, Texas. The ACC encourages all PAs to remain or become members of the AAPA, the one organization that is focused solely on the benefit of physician assistants.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national organization that represents physician assistants (PAs) in all specialties and all employment settings. The ACC focuses on issues that both PAs and NPs have in common, believing that working together to achieve those goals we have in common is advantageous to both groups

I have read and heard it said that PAs should not join with PAs at any level, as NPs compete with PAs for job openings. In reality, the greatest PA competitor for a job opening is another PA! We all know that when a job opening is available, the hiring authority will hire whomever they decide best fits their company needs. Sometimes a PA is best, sometimes an NP is best...it is a competitive world we live in.

A psychiatrist and a cardiac surgeon do not have much in common. Neither do a pathologist and a plastic surgeon. In fact, at times these specialists may take opposing views. It's difficult to imagine that they have anything in common-yet they do!

What these physicians share is a national political organization that advocates the rights of all doctors (even though individually the physicians may not agree on anything). Even on a state and local level, physicians join groups that represent only some of them by specialty, subspecialty, or alma mater. They understand that there is an intrinsic value gained by banding together.

Bringing this message closer to home, a PA and an NP who work in rural family practice or an NP or a PA who work in the same pediatric group have much in common in so many areas.

The ACC recognizes that the time has come for PAs and NPs to have a group that represents interests that are common to both groups. To address issues that both PAs and NPs agree on, a new organization has formed that will work toward our common good. This new organizations is The American College of Clinicians (ACC).

Here are some of the ACC goals.

The leaders and members of the American College of Clinicians are committed to:

Promoting the concept that the best way to deliver health care is in teams. NPs, PAs, and physicians all are invaluable members of these teams. All of us are entitled to fair reimbursement and recognition when providing care to our patients. We will advocate these rights.

Working together whenever appropriate to support each other. Even though NPs and PAs are separate professions with distinct educational backgrounds and responsibilities, we will pursue the common good for both professions.

Delivering interprofessional education that highlights PAs and NPs: specifically, how we can help control costs while delivering quality care. We promise within our first year to develop a well-designed, easy-to-read advertisement that will run in some of the best-read physician journals. This ad will accurately inform physicians about what NPs and PAs do, and how working with us will benefit their practice. Thousands of physicians still do not know the benefits of having PAs and NPs work with them as colleagues.

Educating the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacists that PAs and NPs are full prescribers and need to be recognized as such.Informing the health care industry and insurance companies about what we do. Once these institutions understand what's in it for them and how NPs and PAs can benefit health care, how could they not agree to reimburse us?

Helping resolve disputes between NPs and PAs when asked. It is time we recognize that the two professions can be colleagues; let's not waste time being in opposition to each other.

The bottom line-there is room for us all. Our patients and our health care system deserve to benefit from the ability of PAs and NPs to practice fully and in friendship.

Blaine P. Carmichael, MPAS, P.A.-C
Past President, Association of Family Practice PAs
Grants, Exhibits & Breakout Sessions
Bcarmichael@SATX.RR.Com
Cell Phone (210) 508-9839
6th Annual Conference and Review, 3-7 November 2004
"The Sum of Our Parts-- Family Medicine Review"
Adam's Mark Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
http://www.AFPPA.Org

: