What does the abbreviation “PA” mean to you? Grace McLauren, PA-C, has extensive experience in internal medicine and women’s health, as well as more than 20 years of experience as a PA in the aesthetics space. She joins us this week to talk about the recent AAPA House of Delegates vote to change the title of the profession from “physician assistant” to “physician associate.” She covers:

North Carolina’s recovery from quarantine;

The background for the name change from “physician assistant” to “physician associate”;

The role of a PA in a medical practice;

Why the AAPA voted to change the name;

Response to the reactions from physician associations;

Benefits of independent practice for PAs;

Why practitioners shouldn’t be using the new designation yet;

Requirements to become a PA; and

The shortage of PAs in medical aesthetics.