Can you please give me some tips on answering the PA vs MD question? All primary care providers, including doctors, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants, can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. The first time this happens, I always explain to them that Im not a doctor and that they may call me Paul. But in general, having it all in the first place gives a more complete background to medicine, so its not a waste at all IMHO. Both of these depend on the setting, your clinic, and your supervising MD. Learn about your anxiety treatment options. I just finished PA school and interacted with PA students from at least 10 different schools during rotations (from no-name schools to top-ten). In some cases, they may ask you to come in for a physical examination. In some clinics the PAs are overworked and undervalued. Hey Paul Thanx again for this website! But not all patients understand the differences between these two types of doctors: Choosing a provider with whom to speak about your mental health is an entirely personal decision. Republican Rep. Lauren Melo of Naples wants to give physicians assistants more authority by allowing them to prescribe or dispense drugs, without needing . There are plenty of misconceptions about the physician assistant field. Primary Care Providers (includes family physicians, internists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can all prescribe antidepressants) undergo mental health training and can prescribe antidepressant medications. Signs, Symptoms, & When to Seek Help. You and your provider can work together to decide which antidepressant medication may be best for you. So it depends a lot on what you do. Urgent situation. After receiving her second dose, which was given every 3 days, she left walking and talking to her day care. Physician Assistants (PAs) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) can prescribe controlled substances listed in Schedule II, Schedule III or Schedule IV as defined in s. 893.03 Florida Statutes, beginning January 1, 2017. In fact I was an Enlgish major and studio art minor in undergradand actually as a former dancer who then naturally transitioned to a consistent yoga practice when I couldnt dance anymore, I came into medicine by way of a yogastudy for cancer patients. Most notably, depression affects how you feel, think, and act. A physician assistant may perform, under a collaborative agreement, the duties and responsibilities that are delegated by the collaborating physician and that are within the collaborating physician's scope of practice, including prescribing and dispensing drugs and medical devices. I have a license on my wall for many years. Licensing is by the state. Not so. I am glad I found this website. But as a PA, I get to help people every day get better from whatever their issue is, help their families, counsel them, and I leave with a smile on my face! But in some cases, these professionals can make a recommendation to a physician or psychiatrist who can prescribe medication. But since mental health can be complicated, your doctor might recommend you see a psychiatrist for treatment. 2) PA school is a different path, and it doesnt sound like you have enough information to choose that one way or the other yet. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. You are right on both counts. What about if you are a Psychologist? PAs do get licensed, just like all other professions. Truth: Many of my patients prefer my care over my supervising physicians care because I spend more time with the patient and answer the questions in terms he or she can understand. Great informative website. Learn more about Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine Prescription Adaptation So glad I found this website. Many women find that they are more comfortable with talking to their OB/GYN about mood-related concerns than their primary . If you have to work under a dr. And want to open your own office how much do you lose? Some of them cool their heels after graduation and somehow expect the job to entertain them like a little home movie watched from a recliner. Even without special requirements or supervision. I am excited to take my nine prerequisites starting in January. PSYCHOLOGISTS DO NOT HAVE THE MEDICAL MODEL TRAINING OF NON-PHYSICIAN PROVIDERS WHO HAVE LIMITED PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY. Code 25-27.5-2. Example:The physician assistant and the supervising physician will conduct medication reviews weekly. Background Morbidity and mortality from Opioid Use Disorder is a health crisis in the United States. I am wondering if taking a different route to apply to PA school which would require getting my prereqs and hours, etc. I love this entire website. Note: It is not necessary to list every medication that the PA is authorized to prescribe. Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Everyone feels down sometimes. . Thats why theyre PAs <3. Because a PA does not HAVE TO do the PANRE every 6 years and stay certified, but then, from what I understand, they are not able to switch between states, and they are a PA, not a PA-C. Anymore insight into this? In general, I try to be off when Im off. Is salary a lot worse for a SLP in a healthcare setting that it is for a PA? Thanks for this website. Yes. I havent run into many bitter PAs, but you need to realize that there are those people in any field. If youre less sure, then you might benefit from getting incrementally closer to it through jobs until youre more sure. I practice in surgical side. You and your provider can work together to decide which antidepressant medication may be best for you. The prestigious school you have your eye on will chew you up and spit you out just like the cheaper one. To help address the pervasiveness of mental health conditions, a diverse range of treatment options are available, including antidepressant medications. Specialties that have the most reliable and easy hours tend to be clinic specialties, as opposed to hospital ones. A physician assistant shall not prescribe any drug or device to perform or induce an abortion, or otherwise perform or induce an abortion. And Im unfulfilled.. But in many cases, the time spent is the same. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. Only a psychiatrist can do such. Hey Paul! In fact, these medications are so common that around 13 percent of American adults have taken them in a 30-day period between the years of 2015-2018. I am so looking forward to finishing my pre reqs so that I can apply and start my new journey as a PA. How many of you are really happy with what you do? So I paid over $1000/month for 24 months out of school before buying our first home, but then with a mortgage, my husbands Grad loans, car payments, house renovations that was no longer possible, but I still pay $500/month, which is no still no small feat. I have never regretted my decision to not go to medical school. Some patients often think that a psychologist is the doctor to go to when antidepressants are needed. We had plenty of people in my class working in surgery right out of school. It is perfectly legal. Opening your own shop can be done, but the regulations depend on which state. would be worth it (and also dropping out of SLP grad school before it even begins this August). 5) How you carry yourself and what you are willing to put up with. Learn something new. Some choose to practice without it, which means that they can't prescribe these types of drugs. Sometimes Im late leaving the office because I have charting left over from a busy day. Can you think of one weve missed? What its like being a PA? 21 NCAC 32S .0212 PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY. Its very easy for someone to tell you their opinion. Many different types of providers, including your family provider and even some nurses and physician assistants, can prescribe antidepressant medications for PTSD. The one I hate the most is that most or many PAs would have preferred to go to medical school if they had had the chance. At UCD they do a service at the end of the first year in memoriam for those who gave their remains to the anatomy class for dissection. Less time, less debt, and just as much responsibility as a MD? If one type of antidepressant doesnt help to relieve your symptoms, another type may work better for you. I worried about not having prestige, but I seem to get more than enough of that. They work by affecting chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that are associated with depression, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. -If I love what Im doing (and I truly do), why would I care about what they think I should do? An ARNP who is certified as a Psychiatric Nurse may now prescribe certain controlled substances pursuant to HB 977. I have looked into consolidating with credit unions, etc, but either the rate is no different or they wont even give a loan large enough and then you lose the security of government loans in case a huge life crisis occurs. Some PA jobs do require taking call (most surgical ones, for example), and you are usually paid a base rate at home that is lower, and your usual rate when you come in, or perhaps more. So I would say you will be a good PA no matter what program you choose, so it is super important to make a good financial decision, as well. This is important, as a shorter half-life is linked with higher potential . On some days I have several questions, usually on the order of Heres whats going on, heres what Im thinking, am I missing anything? Despite 50 years as a profession, many patients still ask when we will be a doctor! I would like to hear from someone who had to leave a decent paying career to go to school fulltime and make a drastic change. 90-18.1 (b); (2) Each supervising physician and . I started thinking about a total career change where I will have job security and love my work and earn good money in the process. Im certainly not going to get into a conflict over it! Its been my experience that you have to do what makes you happy. But when I work, I see as many patients as my supervising MD, and medically, they are all the same kinds of patients that he sees. My husband has been in this repayment plan since graduation and works with disabled individuals and actually can apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which was a program that started in 2007 after paying your loan for 120 on time payments. There are plenty more misconceptions about physician assistants. Illinois has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Its an interesting topic, and Im guessing I need to write more on it. I would rather have a root canal than to do so myself. Part of a PAs training is knowing when to call in their supervising MD to advise, and next, when to take over. As a respiratory therapist in a teaching hospital, Ive met several residents whove said if they could do it all again, theyd go to PA school! Some primary care doctors feel confident managing more complex conditions, and in some cases due to the lack of psychiatric consultative resources, they are pressed into service. If Im understanding your question, youre wondering if being a PhD in something (such as psychology) would reduce the amount of training to become a PA. saw a psychiatric nurse practitioner for her depression and was prescribed the antidepressant Lamictal. I work 8-6 4 days per week (40 hours), I never take call, and I dont work weekends or Mondays. There are five main classes of antidepressants, each of which works to affect these neurotransmitters in different ways. The difference: Stress is a reaction to a situation outside your body, while anxiety begins as an emotional response within your body that lingers after a stressful situation has resolved itself. I have a few college friends who are PAs and theyve been helpful in helping me make this transition. To look at it another way, have you seen the other side? It is a serious mental health condition that affects more than 260 million people worldwide, and has symptoms that can impact your relationships, career, and physical health. Also, from experience, would you be able to tell me what the work schedule for PAs usually are. Physician assistant and nurse practitioner prescribing: 1997-2002. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications such as antidepressants. Sometimes you need another job first, but not usually. She has completed a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. I dont care what you say, they tell me, youre Dr. Paul to me.. Doctors are very much people too! Changes in Behavior and Mood. Hopefully youve figured out what you should do. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics, Primary Care. MDs in general will be able to take you farther when things are complex or atypical. I should interject here, that now at age 45, I see that everyone (myself included, sometimes) has a tendency to continuously reach and lean on their ambition. Thanks for sharing info! In some they are treated with great deference and respect. Admittedly, pay is of great importance to me in a future career. Most NPs can prescribe Adderall. Also, one more question: do you work in the ER? If you dont go through with it, then take some time and do a whole mess of soul searching and research before you commit to another one. what are some ways I can possibly talk/interview PAs and see what they think? Im sure this sounds horrible. Its only two years, but its a lot of money. I received an email from one of those bitter PAs you are describing early on in my blogging. This website is absolutely amazing. Feeling depressed and not knowing where to get a prescription for an antidepressant can be tough. I have also spoken with several medical school students, and almost all of them have warned me away from medical school, saying if they could do it again, they wouldve gone P.A. Can PAs contribute to research or become involved in research projects? | Do they get holidays and vacations off? Lol. When you feel this way IN ANY CAREER, YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES, MAN! Is#4 saying that you dont have to work under a doctor? I say have to, because that part of the work interests me zero. (Theyre not miserable because of me by the way). Millions of people experience depression and anxiety each year in the United States. Truth: PAs and NPs perform very similar tasks, but the rules vary within each state regarding what a PA and and NP can and cannot do. K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, Dee have you visited Inside PA Trainings Forum? It does depend to a certain extent on the state where she will practice and the practice in which she works. In family practice we do things like suturing lacerations (simple and complex), skin biopsy, joint injections, incision and drainage of abscesses, toenail removals, etc. Im deciding between PA and MD. I dont think any of us would say we chose to be PAs because its the easy route- the school is rigorous (Ive had medical students state you did 4 years of med school crammed in 2 years!) and we are constantly learning. Be sure youre clear on what you are after. Regarding #4 above, Im confused. They also dont get that (totally my opinion here) physicians are scientists first, and care providers second, and PAs are the other way around. The physician assistant shall notify the supervising physician of the prescription as soon as possible, but in no event longer than 24 hours from the issuance of the prescription. What appeals to you about the PA profession that you wouldnt get from training/working as a physician. Who Can Prescribe Antidepressant Medications? I never bring my paperwork home with me. Many psychiatrists and general practitioners may recommend trying out a new prescription for several weeks and keeping track of any side effects experienced. It may not be a whopping bunch but still, we exist. I just put up with the inconvenience if that were to come up. Feed back please. And occasionally Heres whats going on how do I handle this?. I am a 36 year old wife and mother of four. Get a new job. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. When I leave work, I do not get called, need to do rounds or more paperwork, etc. And something we both just learned about, but were happy to have done some research to learn we will be more financially free in six years when he will be eligible for forgiveness. Patient S.H. Outside of work, I think PAs have more balance. For example, many anti-depressants can cause stroke, coma, seizures and tremors. (A) Except as provided in division (F) of this section, a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner shall not prescribe or furnish any drug or therapeutic device that is listed on the exclusionary formulary established in rules adopted under section 4723.50 of the Revised Code. And just take a look at this link, because Georgetown Law School basically has an inservice to teach their students who graduate with $150,000 in debt how to use these low pay options to their advantage. You will learn and play and dine with people who are totally enthusiastic about being PAs! Thanks for confirming what I already knew. Given The amount of classes and information we have/learn per semester, people would drop out more if it was crammed into two years Bcs we wouldnt be able to handle it. Posted by freshsqueezed18. Maybe Im wrong in that, but I doubt I am. By PA vs MD, I assume you mean Why have you chosen to become a PA, instead of a physician. If thats correct, I would ask you just that. A therapist can only prescribe medication if they have one of the credentials mentioned above. Thanks so much for this! Depression (also called major depressive disorder, or MDD) is a mental health condition that can affect your quality of life. 2 AMA Policy H-35.988, Independent Practice of Medicine by Nurse Practitioners. Many different kinds of professionals are allowed to prescribe, whether with full autonomy or with certain kinds of restrictions. Thanks for posting this! If you cant take the PANCE then you will need to start PA school in the US from the start. Do what you are happy with and take what people tell you with a grain of salt. Now I was prepared for the debt, but having finished undergrad in 2003 during a different financial time what I didnt know or predict was how high grad school loan interest rates are up to over 9%!!! I work at a medical school that is involved in a lot of research projects that I am also getting involved in, everything from skin substitutes (we work in plastics/burns) to new types of catheters to decrease UTIs to You name it!! They can give expert assessments and offer therapy. How soon after PA school can you start being in the Or working alongside doctors performing surgery? 10-6AM, 6-2AM and 2-10AM are common shifts, as well as 8 AM 8 PM and 8 PM to 8 AM. However, PAs are not permitted to prescribe the medicinal drugs listed in the formulary. If youre looking to learn more about whether or not antidepressants can help you, its important to understand who to speak to in order to obtain a prescription. Many different types of providers, including your family provider and even some nurses and physician assistants, can prescribe antidepressant medications for PTSD. Today, more than three-quarters of all physician office visits involve some kind of drug therapy ranging from analgesics and antihypertensives to antibiotics and antidepressants. -this person has no idea what its really like to be a doctor either, and its not his/her fault. I like almost everything on this post except #11 has a slightly misleading statement. My family and I are on vacation in AZ returning back to my licensed state of MN today and my wife has developed what seems to be food poisoning in the middle of the night. I have a BS in mngt and HR which means I took zero science courses and have no hands on patient experience. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/advocacy/authority/prescribing-psychologists, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db377.htm, https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics, https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/primary-care.html, https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.utnasw.org/resource/resmgr/imported/SocialWorkersMedication.pdf, https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression. We avoid using tertiary references. They can also be prescribed by a physician assistant working with a physician. I love my work, am respected, make a difference in peoples lives, and I earn a very good living. This job will give you more to learn than you can learn in three lifetimes. In CA, there is a special one-day class that is required of PAs over and above their certificate in order to prescribe scheduled (controlled or narcotic) medications. I know I dont want to be a nurse of any kind because I simply feel I can go beyond that to pursue something greater like becoming a PA. One thing that drives me to become a PA is definitely the option to always improve and go beyond in your career. I was wondering how much of a workload is it? If you work in a clinic, youre likely 9-5 or 10-6. A PA cant overrule, but he or she can argue/discuss with the supervising physician to try to get the MD to see it their way. I had no idea about any of this. If you want a job that involves the brain, etc. Most unhappy people arent stretching themselves. While most types of depression occur due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, situational depressionalso known as adjustment disorder or reactive depressionis a type of depression that takes place after a traumatic or difficult life event. 4) How important you are to your employers success Answer (1 of 40): It is often a very convenient thing to do especially after speaking with your own physician about it. PAs are not "physician's assistants" -- they are Physician Assistants -- part of your care team. Title 21 -Food and drugs, Chapter II Drug Enforcement Administrations, Department Justice, Keep in mind that regardless of how you obtain your prescription, it may take some trial and error to find the right antidepressant for you. Most people maintain one license at a time. Adderall falls into the Schedule II category; although the drug is legal, people can become dependent. And the numbers are growing, especially for younger generations: Over 2.5 million youth have severe or major depression, but over 60% of them dont receive any kind of mental health treatment. And being money savvy I saw that you payed more interest over time and scrolled right by. As with all prescription medication, they can only be prescribed by cerrtain health care professionals. Depending on your medical history and symptoms, a provider may also recommend antidepressants for the following conditions: Thankfully, its reported that between 80-90% of people with depression respond well to treatment, and nearly all people experience some relief from their symptoms with treatment. Did want to offer a few corrections though. I am currently an Occupational Therapist working with a variety of different diagnoses but When I first began my career I instantly fell in love with orthopedic. I abhor physicians that say, if you wanted to practice medicine, you should have gone to medical school. My two PA diplomas are from a Health Science Center and a state medical center. I work in a free-standing urgent care clinic (that also does primary care). Answer (1 of 9): That depends on the therapist and the laws where you are seeing them. I have interviewed several P.A.s and Physicians, and the most job satisfaction Ive heard is from P.A.s. Im so excited for you! Stronger than ever! I always correct my patients the first time I meet them, and then intermittently if they continue to call me Dr. After that, I let it go. Some patients taking antidepressant medications such as Wellbutrin or Celexa may experience changes in behavior and mood, which can lead to the development of suicidal thoughts 1.Patients should be under the close supervision of a physician for the first several months of treatment and following any change in dosage. in communication disorders and have been accepted to SLP graduate school But truthfully, Ive never been passionate about the field and have had the mindset of get in, get out as far as college goes which is why I never changed my major despite this uncertainty (plus I chose this path at 17 and am soon turning 21). She had never been on any pain med except OTC pain relief. Physician Assistants and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners can prescribe controlled substances listed in Schedule II, Schedule III or Schedule IV as defined in s. 893.03 Florida Statutes, beginning January 1, 2017. But in general, this job is all I could ask for. You can also get free 24/7 support from a suicide and crisis expert by calling or texting 988. So I know youve already addressed the research aspect of a Physician Assistant, but I was wondering if I wanted to become a PA and go into research what would be the best way to do that? Ive been reading this post and your replies so I figured I would ask you directly. PAs are not doctors, and the proper way to refer to them is by their name in most cases, their first name. Myth #13: PAs are just like nurse practitioners. I was doing research in Boston before PA school and was making a relatively good living in an expensive city, but with very little debt from my state school undergrad education. I have been to the clinic for an hour or two on my day off, maybe 5x in 4 years. What would you say if you were asked that question? That said, Ive spent a lot of time talking with residents and physicians, and they mostly agree that after graduating med school, much of what they studied and learned goes the way of a year-old memorized grocery shopping list much of it is lost and replaced with the practicalities of what they learn in their own specialty and use every day.