Category: Physician Assistants/Associates (PA)
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A Quick Reference Guide to Common Conditions Related to Sexual Health, Part 2: Viruses
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Understand the importance of sexual health with our quick reference guide to common viral infections. This article covers critical conditions such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Herpes Simplex Virus, detailing their symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. Equip yourself with knowledge to promote better health outcomes and foster open conversations…
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Social Determinants of Health: Social and Community Context
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Learn about the vital role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping our well-being. This article explores how factors like social support, community cohesion, and discrimination affect health outcomes and the importance of addressing these issues for a healthier, more equitable future. Join us in recognizing the interconnectedness of…
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Candida
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Prepare for the PANCE with this challenging clinical scenario that tests your ability to diagnose and manage a common yet serious condition. A 32-year-old woman presents with frequent urination, increased thirst, and recurrent yeast infections. Her family history includes diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, and her physical exam reveals skin changes…
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Understanding Personality Disorders: A helpful guide for health professionals
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Explore key features and challenges of personality disorders, including diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies, to enhance clinical understanding and patient care.
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Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Access and Quality
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Explore how social determinants like healthcare access and quality affect patient outcomes and what you can do to promote equity as a clinician.
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Top 10 Medical Myths: What Your Patients Should Know
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Does chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years and does sugar makes kids hyperactive? Share these ten top medical misconceptions to foster informed discussions and enhance patient trust.
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A Quick Reference Guide to Common Conditions Associated with Long Covid
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Understanding the common conditions associated with Long COVID is crucial for effective patient care and recovery. This guide explores persistent symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive issues, and dysautonomia, along with evidence-based management strategies to support patients in their healing journey. Equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of…
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Gynecology exam
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Prepare for the PANCE with this question! Learn about osteoporosis screening using FRAX score. Understand when to assess fracture risk in postmenopausal women, even if they’re younger than 65. A 58-year-old woman presents to her gynecology PA for her yearly well-check. She has no current complaints. Her last colonoscopy was…
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How to Discuss Sensitive Topics with Your Patients
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Enhance your ability to engage patients in sensitive medical discussions with empathy, active listening, and culturally competent communication for better outcomes.
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Hepatitis B
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Prepare for the PANCE with this comprehensive topic on pulmonary function testing (PFT) in asthma assessment. Follow the case of a 62-year-old man with psoriasis and a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma presents with positive HBsAg, negative HBsAb, and positive anti-HBc IgG. What’s the best next step in management before…
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A Quick Reference Guide to Common Conditions Associated with Gut Health
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Understand the importance of gut health with our quick reference guide on common gastrointestinal conditions. This article covers dysbiosis, gastritis, and other related disorders, detailing their symptoms, diagnostic methods, and effective treatment strategies. Equip yourself with the knowledge to enhance patient care and promote overall wellness in your practice.
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What Are the Social Determinants of Health and Why Are They Important?
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Discover how social, economic, and environmental factors influence health beyond genetics, shaping disparities and opportunities in healthcare access.
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Hepatitis C
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This week, we are sharing another PANCE®-style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics. Today’s case focuses on a 49-year-old man with cirrhosis and vomiting blood. Explore his symptoms, physical examination findings, and lab results to determine the most appropriate treatment. Learn more about this critical medical scenario. A…
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11 Tips for Taking a Patient History
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A comprehensive medical history is vital for an accurate diagnosis, developing personalized treatment plans, and establishing a good rapport with your patients. On today’s Osmosis blog, let’s take note of some helpful tips for recording a high-quality medical history.
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Pulmonary function test (PFT)
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Prepare for the PANCE with this comprehensive topic on pulmonary function testing (PFT) in asthma assessment. Follow the case of a 29-year-old man presenting with dyspnea and dry cough, with a history of childhood asthma. Explore the vital signs, lung auscultation, and laboratory findings to determine the most likely PFT…
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What Is Intersectional Healthcare and Why Is It Important?
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Today we’re discussing the concept of intersectionality and how the intricate interplay of diverse identities impacts an individual’s experiences, and the need for clinicians and caregivers to recognize and acknowledge each patient’s identity to provide the best possible healthcare outcome.
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Emotional Intelligence for Clinicians: Practical tips for future health professionals
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Dr. Amin Azzam recently hosted an Osmosis webinar offering valuable advice on the importance of emotional intelligence and resilience in healthcare. In today’s Osmosis blog, we’re sharing his top-notch advice and discussing the crucial role EI, EQ, and emotional well-being play in today’s healthcare landscape. It should be no surprise that characteristics…
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The Top 10 Medical Advances in History
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Explore the Top 10 Medical Advances in History that have transformed healthcare and significantly improved global life expectancy. Key innovations include antibiotics, discovered by Alexander Fleming, which revolutionized infection treatment, and insulin, which has turned diabetes from a death sentence into a manageable condition. The development of vaccines has eradicated…
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PANCE® Question of the Day: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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This week, we are sharing another PANCE® style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics. Today’s case focuses on a 30-year-old man with a history of depression presents to his primary care PA with symptoms of negative mood, emotional detachment, and irritability following the death of his partner officer.…
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How to Use Trauma-Informed Care in Treating Sexual Assault Victims
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Explore the principles and benefits of trauma-informed care for sexual assault survivors and trauma patients, emphasizing empathy, safety, and effective communication.
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A List of Essential Osteopathic Medical Education Journals
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Osteopathic medical education research improves teaching and training strategies, helps determine effective policies for the field, and shapes the future of clinical practice. Read on to learn more about current osteopathy-focused journals in today’s Osmosis blog.
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How to Maintain a Good Work-Life Balance as a Physician Assistant
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Physician assistants, or PAs, are often unsung heroes in healthcare. In addition to supporting doctors in the office, PAs decrease physician workloads by handling tedious tasks like suturing after a long session of surgery or taking on administrative duties such as managing prescriptions. PAs also provide doctors with the ability…
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What’s in a Name? Why PAs Want to Evolve from Assistant to Associate
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In May 2021, the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) voted to pass a resolution to change the official title of “Physician Assistant” to “Physician Associate” after years of research and debate. Here’s why they’re making the change. A brief history of PAs In the mid-1960s, physicians and educators were…
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The Best Medical Podcasts
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Medical podcasts provide a cost and time-effective way for physicians and medical students to learn more about the field of medicine. Whether it’s keeping up to date on the latest research or learning how to avoid burnout, the best medical podcasts provide countless learning opportunities that help you become a better…
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Active Recall: The Most Effective High-Yield Learning Technique
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Are you maximizing your study effectiveness? Many students rely on familiar techniques like reading textbooks, creating flashcards, or watching online videos without realizing that these methods may not be the most efficient for exam preparation. Research indicates that a significant number of students, including those in demanding fields like medical…
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Product Update: Quiz Builder for USMLE, COMLEX, and PANCE
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No two students learn in the same way. The problem is, a lot of the time, you’re expected to! At Osmosis, our mission is to help you get the best learning experience possible so you can focus, retain, and thrive. That’s why we’re launching a completely reimagined version of our…
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Importance of Review of Systems
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Discover how a complete review of systems (ROS) can lead to making critical diagnoses and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
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How to Study for the PANCE Exam: Tips from an Experienced PA-C
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Passing the PANCE® exam: It’s the last milestone to reach in becoming a full-fledged physician assistant. Pretty exciting, right? But also nerve-wracking, as this transition from student to certified PA is a hurdle of questions: What is the best way to study? How long should you practice? And how do…
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How to Take Notes Faster in Medical School
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Taking notes in medical school can be messy and time-consuming. With so much material to write down and memorize, having a strategy for effective note-taking can make a difference in your performance in medical school.
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Breaking Bad News: Using the SPIKES Protocol vs. the BREAKS Protocol
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Learn how to deliver tough medical news to patients using the SPIKES and BREAKS protocols to enhance communication and create better patient outcomes.