Physician assistants in Oregon become the first to be renamed ‘Physician Associates’

Physician assistants in Oregon will soon be able to officially change their names to “physician assistants” under new rules.

A bill, which includes the name change to physician associates, was passed by the Oregon state legislature and signed into law earlier this month Through Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. The new licensing rules will come into effect on June 6, 2024.

“This is a huge achievement that will pave the way for more states to make title changes and ensure patients better understand how PAs work on healthcare teams,” said Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, who serves as president and chairman of the board of directors 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 health care professionals such as PAs and nurses. More and more states are allowing PAs to do more, and proponents of the name change say the new title better reflects what they are allowed to do, including prescribing medications and diagnosing certain diseases.

“We have met numerous times with lawmakers to ensure they understand the critical role our profession plays in the health care system and the need for a title that better reflects this role,” said Alisa Gifford, 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 will give patients a better understanding of the important qualifications and responsibilities that PAs have within the healthcare system,” Gifford said. “I hope it paves the way for other states to update their designation as well.”

But the push to create more physician workforces could face hurdles in other states due to opposition from doctors and their lobbies.

For example, in 2021, 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 assistant.” ™

“The AMA believes that changing the title of ‘physician assistants’ will only further confuse patients about who is providing their care, especially as AAPA has sought another title change in recent years and preferred to use only the term.” “PA,”†AMA, Past President of AMA, Dr. Susan R. Bailey said in June 2021.

“Given the existing difficulty many patients experience in identifying who is and is not a physician, it is important to provide patients with more transparency and clarity about who is providing their care, not more confusion,” Bailey said. “Yet, AAPA’s attempt to change the title of physician assistants to rebrand their profession will undoubtedly confuse patients and is clearly an attempt to further their pursuit of independent practice.”