Issue

Introduction
Physician assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. Their use is widespread in all areas of medical care delivery, including geriatrics. Over the past four decades, the role of PAs in American medicine has expanded and, as of 2003, PAs account for at least 10% of all outpatient contact.1 Of the nearly 65,000 PAs currently in practice in the United States, the majority work in ambulatory care settings, but with significant numbers in specialty and subspecialty areas. Their contribution to medical care delivery

Introduction
Physician assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. Their use is widespread in all areas of medical care delivery, including geriatrics. Over the past four decades, the role of PAs in American medicine has expanded and, as of 2003, PAs account for at least 10% of all outpatient contact.1 Of the nearly 65,000 PAs currently in practice in the United States, the majority work in ambulatory care settings, but with significant numbers in specialty and subspecialty areas. Their contribution to medical care delivery

Case Presentation
Mrs. B is a 68-year-old married woman who is referred to a psychiatrist by her primary care physician, Dr. M. Mrs. B underwent extensive dental implant procedures over the past year with a very positive cosmetic and functional result. She was compliant with her care and at first was very pleased with how she looked. Mrs. B initially went to Dr. M asking for advice in finding another dentist. She complained of feeling that “too many things” were implanted in her jaws and wanted another opinion. Dr. M found nothing wrong with her implants and did not deem it necessa

It has been almost 25 years since I and a number of my colleagues published an article entitled “Role of the Physician Extender in the Long-Term Care Setting.”1 This article was based on positive experiences that we had using both physician assistants and nurse practitioners, despite their previously limited role in any aspect of geriatric care. Both of these fields were in their formative years at that time and were still trying to become a part of mainstream medical care. Geriatric medicine was just another playing field and place to establish a presence. It has been interesti

Medicare’s name change from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was meant to be more than simply a replacement of signage and stationary. It was meant to be a move to a new direction. A change from an organization that focused on writing over a billion dollars worth of checks daily (including weekends) for acute care to an organization that led the way to improved health outcomes. It is said that one gets the results that a system was designed to deliver. Clearly, the old Medicare was not designed to deliver superior health ou

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participat

This continuing medical education activity is presented by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

These examination questions are based on the article “Late-Life Depression: A Review,” which appears on pages 35-44 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide