To address the concept of adding physician assistants to hospital practice, information should be directed toward your hospital administrators or your hospital’s medical board of directors. Key points are as follows:

• Use demographic information to site the number of PAs practicing in a hospital setting currently in the state.
• Define what a PA is, what services one can provide in a hospital setting, and the relationship between physicians and PAs.
• Discuss that PA education is based on the medical model and list the accredited programs in your part of the state.
• Note that hospitals choose to credential and privilege PAs which assists in the participation in quality assurance and peer review activities, including JCAHO accreditation.
  
  An excellent overview on Physician Assistants in Hospital Practice is written by AAPA. Incluses are articles that may be suited for a hospital society publication for bringing all points together. This link also contains a suggested verification list for credentialing of PAs and American Medical Association Guidelines for physician/PA practice.

Are you having a difficult time getting your hospital to notice or support PAs?

• Be a part of the new intern and resident orientation to familiarize them with the PA concept.
• Work with the CME office to get PAs included in events as presenters and participants.
• Submit an article of introduction about yourself or about PA Day to the hospital newsletter.
• Nominate a PA for a hospital recognition award.
• Volunteer for committee work and work your way up to the hospital medical board.
  

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