Glen E. Combs here.  Past president of the AAPA.  Let there be no mistake that the current title Physician Assistant will change to Physician Associate within the next few years.  Unfortunately,  The AAPA leadership believes that the sweeping change will cost too much.  You are going to hear the continued diatribe that "The Academy has too many more pressing issues to contend with"... and certainly will not have any money to make this title change a reality.  The annual census question on title change is unfortunately flawed by  attempting to sway the vote based on "How much would you want to pay to see the change?".  To link the title change to a threat of having to pay for it makes the question biased. 

Personally, I would like to give the Academy leadership the opportunity  to do the right thing and give fellow members the freedom to call themselves Physician Assistants or Physician Associates. I am hopeful a resolution to the Toronto HOD will appear and be considered as the way to go in resolving this 20 year debate.  This is what I would like to see in the 2012 AAPA policy book following the meeting of the HOD.  "The AAPA is a democratic organization that feels the title that fellow members use should be of personal choice.  The AAPA will not take a position to block or obstruct the wishes of it's membership.  Fellow members who choose the physician associate title are advised to not break any rule or regulation within their state and furthermore are advised to consult an expert of their state laws pertaining to physician assistants title requirements.  There a many PAs now who have adopted the title physician associate. To date, I have not heard of anyone loosing their license or being arrested for calling themselves a Physician Associate.

I believe if the Academy would take this position, we would all win in the long run. PAs will gradually change their title to associate without malice.  The trend will be monitored by the AAPA and in time rules and regulations will adopt the  "new" title and at the same  time the Academy will change it's own name to the American Academy of Physician Associates probably within the next five to six years. 

With this action, the PR alone will be enormous.  Each physician associate within their respective speciality organization will support a title change of their organization.  For example, the Association of Physician Assistants in Psychiatry might be changed to the Association of Physician Associates in Psychiatry. The marketing of the former title to 3rd party payors, to medical boards and to state legislatures will bring the attention of the public as well as regulators to the forefront. Focusing on a new study outlining the core competencies of the physician associate would be outstanding.  The last creditable role delineation study was conducted in the mid 1970's.  The time has come to re-match the role to what we do best and that is the practice medicine.  There is no need to change the current scope of practice. As for associated costs?  Just keep the pressure on and let nature takes it course.  We have waited for over twenty years for this to happen; what's a couple more years to see this finally come about in a formal climate of change?
 

Please join me in listing your name, title and email address with your personal quote on why should PA = Physician Associate.  Please send your response to Glen E. Combs, MA, PA-C, GEC122448@aol.com  in addition to your quote, we need your name, practice name and the leadership positions that you have held.  You will be counted with the thousands of other PAs in my position statement supporting the freedom of choice resolution sent to the Toronto HOD delegates.  You will be glad you did.

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