-
-
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C, is the key contact for orthopedic services at a jointly sponsored clinic in The Dalles, Oregon, developed in cooperation with Mid Columbia Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University. Her blog revolves around contemporary and everyday issues relating to professional life.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
A recent article on prevention caught my eye. It made the bold statement, “All PAs should take ownership of prevention, which is often considered the province of the primary care provider.” Does that include me? Probably.
After a few minutes of contemplation, I came up with the following short list of health maintenance/prevention areas that influence orthopedic care: obesity, inappropriate narcotic use, smoking status, psychological health, aging concerns, environmental considerati...
Friday, March 23, 2012
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
How many of the patients you see are obese or morbidly obese? And how do you measure this? Eyeball them? Body mass index (BMI)? Weight?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
Most of us, when asked, “Any regrets about going into the PA medical profession?” Would give a resounding, “No!” But sometimes we don’t realize directly why that is. Sometimes it’s important to take a second look at just exactly why we continue to do what we do. In other words, What gives your work significance? Here are a few of my own responses.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
It has happened — accusations are made, everyone is in denial, staff are caught off guard, patients are cancelling, nobody knows how to respond. The media gets involved, the circle widens, someone is arrested. Pause.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
It’s not that I’m so old (God forbid) or nerdy (ditto) , but over the last 6 or so years I’ve had occasion to seriously dig in to four to six different electronic health record (EHR) systems — both major and minor alike. With my primary medical group’s current EHR, I am thoroughly convinced that we as a profession embraced technology in medical records long before technology was truly ready for us.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
If you’ve ever tossed this question around with your partners, your spouse or your buddies, you are not alone. I am frequently asked this question by CEOs, COOs, HR directors, and Medical Directors — not to mention physicians, surgeons, and even other mid-level providers. I am a PA-C, licensed by my state medical board, certified in general medicine by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and specializing in orthopedics.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
I decided to be a ski instructor this year, and the good snow has, shall we say, appeared on everybody else’s days off. However, the other day at the mountain, I was faced with a day off, over a foot of powder, a couple hours on my hand and a phobia — I hadn’t skied any steep and deep powder of consequence since last year, at the end of the season. Even then, it came at great personal risk (we’re talking fear, here) and, of course, tremendous reward.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
A new dynamic in technology has taken root in our whirlwind world of relationships — the social media. Facebook, Twitter, and a myriad of other technovues (my cross for technologic venues) have crept, not only into our communication, but into our relationships. Whether this is positive or negative is a matter of opinion (and experience), but let’s consider another perspective: Are these media developing real connectedness, or do they just create the illusion of connectedness?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Jennifer Van Atta, MS, PA-C
As I was studying to recertify for the Pennsylvania National Boards, I groaned, countless times in fact. How long had it been since I’d practiced or brushed up on my general medicine? Too long. Specializing in orthopedics during the last several years had been a great move — but, at times like this, it was painful.