Celebrating PA Week!

PA Week is an annual celebration established by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) that is held from October 6 to October 12 to recognize and honor the contributions of Physician Assistants (PAs) in the healthcare field.

Physician Assistants (PAs) play a crucial role in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), contributing to patient care in many ways:

1. Comprehensive Women's Health Care

PAs in OB/GYN provide comprehensive care across all stages of a woman's life, from adolescence through menopause. They perform routine gynecologic exams, including Pap smears, pelvic exams, and breast exams, ensuring early detection of potential issues like cervical or breast cancer.

2. Prenatal and Postnatal Care

PAs assist in managing prenatal care by monitoring fetal development, performing ultrasounds, and educating patients about healthy pregnancy practices. They also offer postnatal care, monitoring the recovery of new mothers, and addressing concerns like breastfeeding, postpartum depression, or complications.

3. Contraceptive Counseling and Family Planning

PAs provide vital family planning services, offering contraception counseling and procedures like IUD insertions. Their role helps improve access to reproductive health, allowing women to make informed choices about pregnancy.

4. Managing Common Gynecological Conditions

PAs diagnose and treat common gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menstrual disorders, and infections. They are integral in providing timely interventions and ongoing management.

5. Surgical Assistance

In surgical settings, PAs assist OB/GYN surgeons with procedures such as cesarean sections, hysterectomies, and laparoscopic surgeries. They help ensure smooth operations and continuity of care before, during, and after surgery.

6. Patient Education and Advocacy

PAs are patient advocates, providing education on sexual health, pregnancy, menopause, and lifestyle changes. They empower patients to understand their health and make informed decisions.

7. Collaborative Care

PAs work alongside obstetricians, gynecologists, and other healthcare providers to deliver a team-based approach to care. This collaboration enhances patient outcomes and helps manage high-risk pregnancies or complex gynecological conditions.

In OB/GYN, PAs expand access to care, improve patient outcomes, and ensure women receive timely and compassionate medical attention across their lifespan. Their ability to provide high-quality care makes them invaluable in this specialty.

Author

Allison Osborne, PA-C Allison Osborne, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant on the team at Premier Obstetrics & Gynecology, which has offices in Maitland, Oviedo, and Lake Mary, Florida. Allison was born in Germany and raised primarily overseas with her military family. She attended Christopher Newport University in Virginia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics. Allison graduated with honors with a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University (Orlando Campus) in 2022. Throughout her career, Allison has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from her professional experience in primary care. She has always had a passion for Women’s Health and is very excited to provide care for women! Allison and her husband have three amazing children. In her spare time, she enjoys running, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family and kitties. Allison is very excited to have found her professional home with Premier Obstetrics & Gynecology!