Patients at Risk: The Rise of the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant in Healthcare exposes a vast conspiracy of political maneuvering and corporate greed that has led to the replacement of qualified medical professionals by lesser trained practitioners. As corporations seek to save money and government agencies aim to increase constituent access, minimum qualifications for the guardians of our nation’s healthcare continue to decline—with deadly consequences. This is a story that has not yet been told, and one that has dangerous repercussions for all Americans. With the rate of nurse practitioner and physician assistant graduates exceeding that of physician graduates, if you are not already being treated by a non-physician, chances are, you soon will be. While advocates for these professions insist that research shows that they can provide the same care as physicians, patients do not know the whole truth: that there are no credible scientific studies to support the safety and efficacy of non-physicians practicing without physician supervision. Written by two physicians who have witnessed the decline of medical expertise over the last twenty years, this data-driven book interweaves heart-rending true patient stories with hard data, showing how patients have been sacrificed for profit by the substitution of non-physician practitioners. Adding a dimension neglected by modern healthcare critiques such as An American Sickness, this book provides a roadmap for patients to protect themselves from medical harm. WORDS OF PRAISE and REVIEWS Al-Agba and Bernard tell a frightening story that insiders know all too well. As mega corporations push for efficiency and tout consumer focused retail services, American healthcare is being dumbed down to the point of no return. It's a story that many media outlets are missing and one that puts you and your family's health at real risk. --John Irvine, Deductible Media Laced with actual patient cases, the book’s data and patterns of large corporations replacing physicians with non-physician practitioners, despite the vast difference in training is enlightening and astounding. The authors' extensively researched book methodically lays out the problems of our changing medical care landscape and solutions to ensure quality care. --Marilyn M. Singleton, MD, JD A masterful job of bringing to light a rapidly growing issue of what should be great concern to all of us: the proliferation of non-physician practitioners that work predominantly inside algorithms rather than applying years of training, clinical knowledge, and experience. Instead of a patient-first mentality, we are increasingly met with the sad statement of Profits Over Patients, echoed by hospitals and health insurance companies. --John M. Chamberlain, MHA, LFACHE, Board Chairman, Citizen Health A must read for patients attempting to navigate today’s healthcare marketplace. --Brian Wilhelmi MD, JD, FASA

This groundbreaking text focuses on the practical knowledge and skills that both physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) need to be effective health care leaders in a multidisciplinary environment. Written by a recognized expert in physician assistant leadership, this engaging text helps PA and NP professionals--increasingly called upon to lead in a variety of clinical and administrative environments--to navigate the unique challenges they encounter. With an emphasis on concrete application of leadership principles, this text highlights interprofessional communication and the skills associated with becoming an effective leader in a variety of health care settings. Thought-provoking case studies provide real-world application of concepts throughout the text. Useful exercises throughout the chapters and appendices bring further clarity to the theoretical topics examined in the book. Key Features: Focuses on leadership for NPs and PAs in team-based health care--the only text to do so Emphasizes interprofessional, multidisciplinary interactions, often at the level of direct patient care Addresses important issues including power and influence, leadership traits and behaviors, followership, change strategies, burnout, ethical considerations, and more Provides chapter-opening questions to guide the learner in discovering effective principles of leadership Includes chapter summaries and leadership exercises to provide context to the concepts discussed, as well as useful online worksheets Applies real-world scenarios to key leadership concepts through thought-provoking case studies

It is vital for NPs and PAs to be highly skilled in EKG interpretation to correctly identify high-risk patients and to make appropriate clinical decisions. This reference book is the first to present a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to EKG interpretation, covering all major topics required for expertise in this area. Based on a physiologic approach that facilitates in-depth understanding, the text includes clinical scenarios that may be seen in practice, and firmly links the information found in the EKG printout to the patientís symptoms. It clearly presents the gamut of requisite topics in EKG interpretationófrom basic to complexóincluding topics not customarily addressed in depth, such as supraventricular tachycardias and pacemaker EKGs. The bookís multifaceted approach to EKG interpretation is enhanced with new approaches and recommendations, charts, and tables. Review questions at the end of each chapter enable students to identify problem areas. This book helps NPs, PAs, and other health professionals master their EKG interpretation skills and apply them with confidence every day. Key Features: Presents the first comprehensive guide to EKG interpretation Based on a physiological approach to promote in-depth understanding Connects the patientís presenting symptoms to EKG interpretation Uses charts, graphs, and printouts to support class discussion Includes end-of-chapter review questions

Uniquely written from the perspectives of a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician Assistant This quick-access reference guide encompasses all key diagnostic and management essentials needed for safe and effective pediatric practice. By incorporating the most current literature and evidence-based practice, this guide explains how to best assess, diagnose, and treat common pediatric disorders in an ambulatory care setting. This practical, pocket-sized resource is presented in concise paragraphs, providing access to key information at a glance. Chapters consistently include focused assessment and diagnosis of the most common clinical problems and treatment options. Key points, important developmental milestones, and illness prevention and management sections provide practitioners with important content to educate patients and families easily and thoroughly. Abundant tables and charts help to facilitate quick reference to key components of practice. Links to frequently updated clinical guidelines and important web resources ensure that practitioners can maintain access to the most current knowledge available. Key Features: Provides speedy access to crucial information with concise paragraphs, chapter objectives, key points, and tables Conveniently organized by most commonly seen diseases and disorders Provides links to frequently updated clinical guidelines and web resources Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers

This book identifies key treatment challenges and unique care considerations in patients with head and neck cancers, providing a comprehensive guide to patient management that illustrates the critical importance of a multidisciplinary approach in achieving optimal oncological, functional, and survival outcomes. It covers all relevant specialties, including dental and oral medicine, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and reconstructive surgery. It highlights the vital role played by ancillary head and neck cancer services, such as speech and swallowing therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and nutritional therapy in offering essential physical and psychological support from the time of diagnosis onward. The closing chapters address post-treatment issues, including those relating to survivorship, surveillance, and end-of-life care. Multidisciplinary care is perhaps even more important for patients with head and neck cancers than for other cancer patients, and in addressing all its aspects this book is invaluable for a wide range of practitioners.