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Ever feel like every rotator cuff tear has its own personality? Some just need a little TLC and a scope… others are galloping straight toward a reverse. In this episode, the Joint Effort PAs saddle up to break down the wild ride from partial tears to cuff tear arthropathy — and when it’s time to trade the suture anchor for a prosthesis. 🤠💀

We’ll cover:

• The biomechanics behind why cuff tears go rogue
• How the reverse shoulder lets the deltoid save the day
• Pearls for deciding who gets a repair vs. who’s due for a reverse
• How to explain it all to patients without their eyes glazing over

So tighten your stirrups and grab your lasso — we’re wrangling the supraspinatus and chasing down the truth about the shoulder’s most dramatic pathology.

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Student loans, net worth, and figuring out what “compound interest” actually means — we’re talking money! 💸
 In this episode, we sit down with our guest, Dr. John, to break down financial literacy for PAs, physicians, and anyone in medicine trying to get their financial life together. From tackling debt and understanding your paycheck, to smart investing, budgeting on a healthcare salary, and protecting your income — we cover it all.

Whether you’re a new grad drowning in loans or a seasoned provider still trying to decode your 401(k), this episode is full of practical advice, personal insights, and a few hard truths about money in medicine.

Grab your coffee (and a calculator) — it’s time to get financially fit.

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Ever met a patient who can bend their thumb back to their wrist or pop their shoulder out on command? In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we dive into the world of hypermobility syndromes — what they actually mean, how to tell when “double-jointed” becomes a problem, and the most common areas we see it affect with focus on the thumb, shoulder, and knee. We’ll talk through evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment approaches, share real-world clinical experiences, and highlight key pearls (and pitfalls) for managing these flexible but often frustrating joints.

Whether you’re a provider, a patient, or just curious about what being “too bendy” really entails, this episode breaks it down with practical insight— Joint Effort style.

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This week on Joint Effort PAs, we’re putting the spotlight on another vital member of the surgical team — the CRNA. 💉 We’re joined by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who shares what it’s really like behind the drape — from her training and scope of practice to how she works alongside PAs, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. We break down the differences and surprising overlaps between the PA and CRNA roles, discuss patient care from both sides of the table, and talk teamwork in the OR.

🎧 Tune in for an honest & informative conversation that proves one thing: different roles, same team.

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In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we’re breaking down one of the most common questions we get — what’s the real difference between Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)? From education and training paths to scope of practice, autonomy, and how each role fits into different specialties, we’ll clear up the confusion and share our personal takes from working side-by-side with both. Whether you’re a pre-PA or pre-NP student, a patient curious about your provider’s role, or just love a good medical deep dive, this one’s for you.

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This week on Joint Effort PAs, we dive into the world of patient reviews — the good, the bad, and the ones that stick with you. We talk about how online feedback shapes our practice, affects our confidence, and influences the way patients see us. From celebrating glowing reviews to handling harsh ones with grace, we share strategies for staying grounded, learning from criticism, and maintaining perspective in a world where everyone has a platform.

✨ Tune in for real talk, reflection, and a little humor about the impact of those five little stars.

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Ever wonder what really sets successful applicants apart when it comes to landing your dream job as a PA? In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to position yourself for the role you’ve been chasing — from crafting a standout resume and nailing your interview to building professional relationships that actually open doors.

We’ll share our own stories of how we landed our dream positions in orthopedics, the lessons we learned along the way, and the red flags we wish we’d known earlier. Whether you’re a new grad searching for your first job or a seasoned PA looking to make a move, this episode will give you the tools, mindset, and confidence to make it happen.

Grab your coffee, open your steno notebook, and get ready to take the next step toward your dream career.

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Balancing patient care with personal health is no easy feat—and if you’ve ever struggled to fit in workouts, eat well, or just take care of yourself, you’re not alone. In this episode, we get real about the challenges PAs face in prioritizing their own wellness while working in medicine. From personal stories to practical tips on exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep, and mental health, we aim to normalize the struggle and share strategies that actually work. This is about helping you feel heard, supported, and equipped with tools to stay strong and healthy—both for your patients and yourself!

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In this *vent session*, we open up about those tricky moments in medicine where doing the right thing doesn’t always feel like the popular thing. From navigating tricky topics with patients, to the challenges of giving honest feedback to staff, we dive into the disconnect between expectations and best practice. We reflect on how easily boundaries, professionalism, and good intentions can be misinterpreted as being “mean” — and ask the real question: are we crazy, or are we the a**hole?

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In this episode, we flip the script and bring in a surgeon’s voice to the conversation. Beth's supervising physician joins us to share his perspective from 25 years of working alongside PAs. We dive into the qualities he’s found most valuable (and not so much), what it really takes to succeed in this setting, and his best advice for anyone looking to step into the OR team dynamic. Whether you’re a PA, a student, or just curious about the surgeon-PA relationship, this one is packed with insights from the other side of the table.