The Department of Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) is hitting the airways with a new podcast.
"PA Connections," a podcast that addresses professional issues relevant to physician assistant (PA) practice, launched August 17 on Libsyn. The biweekly podcast, co-produced by the GW Health Sciences IMPACT Initiative, will be available on Apple and Spotify podcast directories, and on the PAS website.
"There are a lot of podcasts on medical topics, but as far as PA professional practice, there's a gap there that we can help fill,” said Maura Polansky, MS, MHPE, PA-C, associate professor and department chair. “We decided to launch the podcast primarily to share content with GW students regarding innovations in professional practice. However, topics will be relevant to other PA students as well as PAs in clinical practice.
As a leader in PA education, with an outstanding faculty and network of colleagues, we are in a unique position to share ideas and innovations in practice to a broad audience” she added.
Polansky will host the podcasts this fall, but she expects other PA faculty members to get behind the microphone. "I anticipate involving all our faculty members – they all have their own unique passions and interests," she said. "I think it will grow organically. I am hopeful that it will become a valued resource for the PA community."
The first podcast features Saul Weiner, MD, and Alan Schwartz, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, discussing their book, "Listening for What Matters: Avoiding Contextual Errors in Health Care." The book focuses on effective health care requiring clinicians to tailor care to patients' individual life contexts, including their financial situation, social support, competing responsibilities and cognitive abilities.
Other guests for future podcasts will include Lisa Alexander, EdD, PA-C, professor of PAS, Harrison Reed, PA-C, MMS, assistant professor of PAS, and Holly Jonely, SCD, MPT, DPT, associate director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and assistant professor in the Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences. Future topics will include professional burnout, workplace culture and professional advocacy.
