Physician assistants in Oregon will soon be able to rebrand under new rules that are officially changing … [+]
Physician assistants in Oregon will soon be able to rebrand themselves under new rules that will officially change their titles to “physician associates.”
A bill, which contains the name change to physician associates, was passed by the Oregon state legislature and was signed into law earlier this month with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. The new licensing rules will come into effect on June 6, 2024.
“This is a huge accomplishment that will help pave the way for more states to adopt the title change and ensure patients better understand how PAs practice in healthcare teams.” Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi said, who is president and chairman of the board of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA).
The name change comes amid a primary care shortage that is prompting states across the country to expand the scope of practice for healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurse practitioners. Increasingly, states are allowing PAs to do more, and supporters of the name change say the new title better reflects what they’re allowed to do, including prescribing drugs and diagnosing certain illnesses.
“We have had countless meetings with legislators to ensure they understand the vital role our profession plays in the health care system and the need for a title that better reflects that role.” Alisa Gifford said, president of the Oregon Society of Physician Associates.
“Thanks to the passage of House Bill 4010, PAs will have a title that more accurately reflects our scope of practice and gives patients a better understanding of the important credentials and responsibilities that PAs have in the health care system,” said Gifford. “I hope it will help pave the way for other states to update their title as well.”
But the push to create more physician partnerships could face obstacles in other states because of opposition from doctors and their lobbies.
In 2021, for example, the American Medical Association’s policy-making House of Delegates opposed AAPA’s efforts to change the profession’s official title from “physician assistant” to “physician associate.”
“The AMA believes that changing the title of ‘physician assistants’ will only serve to further confuse patients about who is providing their care, especially since the AAPA has pursued a different title change in recent years, preferring to use only the “PA” term, AMA immediate past president Dr. Susan R. Bailey said in June 2021.
“Given the existing difficulty many patients have in identifying who is and is not a doctor, it is important to provide patients with greater transparency and clarity as to who is providing their care, not more confusion,” Bailey said. “However, AAPA’s attempt to change the title of physician assistants to revamp their profession will undoubtedly confuse patients and is clearly an attempt to further their pursuit of independent practice.”
