Clinician's Roundtable

Dr. Eric Levens, Lieutenant Commander in the United States Public Health Services, discusses ethical issues that arise when research involves human oocyte donation. Among the topics discussed by Dr. Levens and host Dr. Maurice Pickard are issues surrounding donor protection. There are tensions around the potential greater risks than benefits to the donor. Additional controversies exist around the issues of informed consent and compensation.

Past research tells us that many young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients are at higher risk for health problems, such as depression, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases. We're also learning that the response of the young person's family can trigger or worsen these conditions. Dr. Sten Vermund, professor of pediatrics, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to explore how physicians can work with families and patients to create a healthy dynamic as patients begin to express their sexual orientation and gender identity.

More than 8000 military corpsmen will head back to civilian life this year after being released from the military. How do they go about furthering their education to become a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or even pursue a medical degree, after serving their country? Dr. Ken Harbert, president of Health Watch, Ltd., talks with host Lisa Dandrea Lenell about the education challenges for corpsmen who want to pursue an advanced health degree. The two talk about the need for bridge programs and mentoring programs for veterans.

As part of a profession whose role is not always clearly understood, physician assistants rely on the voice of their Associations. Host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell talks to Charlene Morris, past-president of the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants, about practical ways PAs can get involved and lead.

Have you ever thought of traveling the world and working at the same time? There are many international volunteer programs across the world that could benefit from the expertise of a PA. Dr. Donald Pedersen, a professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, talks with host Lisa Dandrea Lenell about the specific programs geared to PAs, the role of the PA in other countries, as well as the cost and planning involved in an international volunteer program.

What role are physician assistants playing in global healthcare efforts? About half of the student PA programs in the United States offer international rotations in over 50 countries. Host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell discusses the possibilities with Dr. Donald Pedersen, program director at the University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program and past president of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs.

Physician assistants serving in Iraq treat everything from life threatening injuries to coughs and colds. In a combat zone, the PA never knows what will come up. Captain Jason Lunsford, a physician assistant on active duty in Iraq, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell, to talk about his first-hand experiences as a military PA.

On the battlefield, the physician assistant's medical support is a lifeline for the troops. Cpt. Jason Lunsford, a physician assistant on active duty in Iraq, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss the PA's role in battle.

Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg as he discusses the magical mysteries of the wound debridement biotherapy with our guest Dr. Ronald Sherman, director of the non-profit BioTherapeutics, Education & Research Foundation. Learn about the medical uses for maggots, how maggot therapy is executed and what controlled studies show about the use of medical grade maggots.

Many of us may share personal or professional experiences with patients, often times in an effort to strengthen our relationship with them. Unfortunately, these actions may not always produce the intended positive effects on the relationship. Further, you may be surprised to know that the effects may differ based on our specialty fields. Dr. Mary Catherine Beach, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, has extensively studied these physician self-disclosures. She talks with host Dr. Jennifer Shu about situations in which the self-disclosures may become ‘too much information.' In a patient visit where you believe you've shared too much, how can you get back on track? What about involuntary self-disclosures, where patients may learn of information about you on the Internet or in the everyday chatter of a small town or community?