Lecture 6: Professionalism in Clinical Practice

Question 1

What are the essential characteristics of a profession from non-profession?

Answer 1

Formal Education
Licensure
Code of Ethics
Fiduciary Duty
Internal Policing

Question 2

What is fiduciary duty?

Answer 2

Exceptional loyalty to the person to whom duty is owed, aka patient advocacy and providing the best care.

Question 3

What two things do PAs profess?

Answer 3

To be competent to help the patient
To have the patient’s best interest in mind.

Question 4

What are the roles and responsibilities of a PA in regards to our profession?

Answer 4

Professional Identity (don’t fake credentials/skills)
Professional competency (Provide competent medical care)
Avoid conflict of interest (No freebies)

Question 5

What are the roles and responsibilities of a PA in regards to patients?

Answer 5

Trustworthiness (put their needs first and establish a relationship)
Fiduciary duty
Confidentiality (HIPAA)
Appropriate patient relationships
Avoid sexual harassment
Honesty

CHAAT

Question 6

What are the roles and responsibilities of a PA in regards to other professions?

Answer 6

Supervisory relationship
Professional relationship
Business relationship

Question 7

What is the WV code?

Answer 7

WV Code 30-3-16
Legal responsibility for a PA remains with a collaborating physician at all times.

Question 8

What are the key points of the supervisory relationship?

Answer 8

You carry the mantle of a physician
You bear the liability of the physician and his actions
You have the responsibility to report any unethical/illegal activity to the BOM or your medical license is in jeopardy.

Some states require a collaborating physician substitute if yours is gone for 2+ weeks.

Question 9

What are the roles and responsibilities of a PA to healthcare systems?

Answer 9

Access to care/resource allocation
Healthcare system workplace actions
Managed care
Educators

HAME

Question 10

What are the roles and responsibilities of a PA to society?

Answer 10

Participate in self-regulation
Reporting
Educating
Advocating for a safe health care system
Learning

PEARL

PAs as expert witnesses

Question 11

Some issues to consider for future medical professionals

Answer 11

Managed care and drug industry
Adapting medical care to current reality and remain ethical
How to practice compassion and humanistic medicine in 10 minutes
How to care for patients if insurance decides what we can do
What do we need to know to continue to be competent providers?
Empowerment of future PAs