Your Student Representative

Lindsey Woods, PA-S


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Membership

Eligibility:

Student Membership is open to individuals who are enrolled in a PA program which has been accredited by the ARC-PA.

 

Cost:

$25 one-time fee to cover entire period which member is a student of an accredited PA program.

 

Benefits:

1. Free access to the "members only" section of our website which includes: employment listings, demographic and salary information, directory of women’s health care PAs
2. APAOG representation to the AAPA House of Delegates
3. Opportunity to help select Women’s Health CME topics and speakers for the AAPA annual meeting
4. Representation to the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP)
5. Representation at the exhibit halls of the annual meetings of both AAPA and ACOG
6. A monthly copy of The Contraception Report and quarterly copies of the APAOG newsletter, Monitor
7. A membership pin, wallet card, wall certificate, and an invitation to our annual business meeting held concurrently with the annual AAPA meeting
8. Opportunity to meet fellow PA students interested in OB/GYN and to network with PA’s in this specialty field

Download APAOG Membership Application (pdf)

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Student Representative Application

According to Association Bylaws, the duties of the Student Representative are:

“The Student Representative shall act as a liaison between the Board of Directors and all student members of the organization. The Student Representative shall assist in conducting affairs of the organization as designated by the President.” Currently, the President has designated the Student Representative to maintain the Student Page on the APAOG website and to answer questions sent by students to the Association.

To be eligible to apply for the position of Student Representative, the individual must be a student member of APAOG and be able to attend the next AAPA national conference.

If you’re interested in being APAOG’s next Student Representative, please submit a paragraph on goals that you want to accomplish if you were to be selected. Paragraph may be emailed to APAOG at apaog@paobgyn.org

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Things to Know on Your OB/GYN Clinical Rotation

Review These Topics

1. Be able to determine Gravida and Para (TPAL) of patient.
2. Know the significance of Pap smear results by Class, Bethesda system, and CIN nomenclature.
3. Know the signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
4. Know the signs and symptoms of perimenopause/menopause.
5. Know the meaning of Category A,B,C,D,X drugs taken during pregnancy. Know the most common Category X drugs.
6. Know the six movements associated with the mechanism of labor.
7. Be able to list the absolute contraindications to usage of Oral Contraceptive Pills.
8. Know how to explain the Breast Self Exam.
9. Know how cervical dilatation, cervical effacement, and station are defined with respect to a digital exam.
10. Look under "Questions I was asked on my clinical rotation" for more topics.
    

How to Present an OB/GYN Patient

If routine OB patient, the following info should be included in your presentation to your attending physician/PA:

[age] year old Gravida [#] Para [####] at EGA [#] wks by LMP/1st trim.U/S for routine visit without complaints. BP=[#/#] and is consistent with previous values. Weight gain=[lbs/time frame]. [+]Fetal Movements, Fundal Height=[cm], Fetal Heart Tones=[BPM]. Denies contractions, vaginal bleeding, nor leakage of fluid. List any labs to be ordered. Patient to return in [wks] or sooner prn.

If GYN patient, the following info should be included in your presentation to your attending physician/PA:

[age] year old female c/o [HPI].
Past GYN Hx: age of menarche, frequency of menses, duration of menses, dysmenorrhea if applicable,
age of sexual activity start, method of contraception, dyspareunia/post-coital bleeding if applicable, hx of STD’s or abnormal Pap results.
Past OB Hx: Gravida[#], Para[TPAL], complications if applicable.
Other past medical Hx:
Past Surgical Hx:
Meds/Allergies:
Family Hx: DM, Htn, heart dx, CVA, bleeding d/o, CA (include breast, ovarian, colon, endometrial/uterine), autoimmune dx, mental illness, chromosome
abnormalities/ birth defects.
Social Hx: smoking, other tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, diet, exercise,
occupation, support system.
Report any significant findings on physical exam.
Treatment Plan.

Questions Asked on my Clinical Rotation:

1. How many glucose values have to be positive in a 3-hour glucose tolerance test for the definition of gestational diabetes to be applied? List the values.
2. Identify the anatomical structures of the perineum and external genitalia as viewed in the lithotomy position.
3. What is the difference in presentation and treatment of placenta previa and abruptio placenta?
4. What is the definition of the different degrees of perineal lacerations?
5. What is the presentation and treatment of the different types of vaginitis infections (bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis)?
6. What is the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia?
7. Identify the round ligaments, ureters, and cardinal ligaments during a total abdominal hysterectomy surgery
   

General Tips:

1. Keep non-perishable snacks in pocket (hours can be long) and wear comfortable shoes.
2. Have an OB wheel, tape measure, watch with a second-hand, and access to a drug book or drug program on your rotation.
3. Speculum exam: if unable to find cervix, majority of time, cervix is tucked posterior so speculum should be angled with blade tips pointing downward to try and scoop cervix up into view (remember that vaginal tissue has ruggae and cervical tissue is smooth!).
4. Digital exam: if unable to reach cervix, make sure forearm is parallel to floor and at level of introitus; drop hand down at wrist. If cervix still not palpable, have patient tilt pelvis up by placing both fists under her lower back.
5. Talk to the patient at all times so she knows what to expect and why you are doing each part of the exam.

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Recommended Textbooks/Pocketguides/ Reading Material

OB/GYN service:

Other Texts recommended by OB/GYN providers:

Current’s Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Lange Medical Book published by McGraw Hill (new edition available end of 2002)

Contraceptive Technology published by Ardent Media (very thorough, easy to read; note: you can get this book free for joining APAOG!!!)

Williams Obstetrics (much too in depth, but is considered the "Bible" of obstetrics)

Appleton & Lange's Operative Obstetrics (for advanced OB/GYN students interested in surgery)

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Useful PDA Programs

ePocrates Drug Database (dosing schedules, adverse reactions, contraindications) www.epocrates.com

Pregnancy Calculator (calculates EDC from LMP & vice versa, lists needed prenatal labs associated with specific EGA) www.thenar.com/pregcalc/

Interventions: Prenatal Care (supposed to give procedural and treatment protocols) www.healthypalmpilot.com/Interventions/

Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (big green book now can be carried in your pocket) www.skyscape.com/products/ (go to "dictionaries")

Griffith’s 5-minute Clinical Consult (a must for all PA and Med students with PDA’s) www.skyscape.com/products/ (go to "5-minute series")

Gynecological Pearls, Obstetrical Pearls, Obstetrics and Gynecology Recall, plus other software programs available for demo or purchase, go to www.medicalpocketpc.com/software/obgyn.shtml


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OB/GYN Rotation Opportunity for PA Students
The Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) is well aware of the shortage of Ob/Gyn rotations for PA students throughout the country. This problem stems in part from the national decrease in Ob/Gyn physicians and the decrease in practice revenue as a result of the medical-legal environment of obstetrics today. As the professional organization representing PAs in Women’s Health, APAOG has been urgently trying to address this crisis.

One solution was the creation of an APAOG-Sponsored Clinical Ob/Gyn Rotation (A-SCOR). Arrowhead Regional Medical Center was selected as the location because of its strong reputation as a clinical site and its PA-familiar staff and faculty. A-SCOR is now available for PA students to apply. The chosen student will be honored with a $500 award and will receive training in inpatient and outpatient obstetrics and gynecology including instruction on assisting and performing vaginal and cesarean deliveries. Housing is also provided.

The application process is simple. Interested students should send an e-mail to APAOG’s scholarship chair, Cynthia Pentz at

cynthia-pentz@ouhsc.edu with their name, PA school, requested month/year for their rotation, and an answer to the question “How would you make an impact in the field of Women’s Health with your career as a physician assistant?”

Applications will be accepted between December 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009 and the student selected will be notified in March. Best of luck to all those who apply!

Things to Know on Your OB/GYN Job Hunt

Where to Look for a Job

1. Contact the OB/GYN site in which you rotated through for offices/hospitals in which they know are hiring or could use your help.
2. Contact one’s own personal OB/GYN provider or the OB/GYN provider of a family member for offices/hospitals in which they know are hiring or could use your help.
3. Post an ad on the AAPA website at www.aapa.org. You can also view the postings on available opportunities.
4. Contact an APAOG member in your job search area via the APAOG membership directory (Members Only) and ask if they know of any openings or have any suggestions for your job search.
5. View opportunities on State Chapter PA websites.
6. Check the Classifieds section of PA Journals (ie JAAPA, Physician Assistant).
7. Check the Career Section of newspapers (note: look under and answer to NP and Physician ads as well as Physician Assistant ads).
8. Mass mail your resume and cover letter to local OB/GYN offices/hospitals.
9. Stop by or call local OB/GYN offices/hospitals and demonstrate your interest in employment and educate them on what a PA can do for their patients.
10. Hire a recruiter or recruiting service. Be sure the recruiter is knowledgeable on the Physician Assistant profession. (If anyone has a recruiting service you would personally recommend to our members, please let me know and I will compile a list to be posted here in the future.)
    
    

Salary, Benefits, and Malpractice Info (restricted to Members Only Access)

Please refer to the AAPA census which can be viewed under the Professional Practice Issues section on this Web site. For information on salaries in your specific area, please go on the AAPA Web site (www.aapa.org) to Employment and then to Candidate Resources where the information can be obtained through the option of Customizing Salary Profiles.

Interview Prep

1. Know how you can best help the practice which you are applying to and be able to answer why the practice should hire a PA rather than another mid-level provider.
2. Know the salary range for PA’s in your area.
3. Know which benefits you will not compromise on.
4. Know the number of OB/GYN PA’s practicing in your state and if possible, in your local region.
5. Know the positive qualities you possess and understand your limitations. Be yourself and GOOD LUCK!

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