DATELINE / (March 2007) – The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Physician Assistant Foundation, and the Graduate Education Foundation (GEF) have developed an on-line training program for physician assistants providing care to military personnel both inside and outside the U.S.

PAs will now be able to access more than 125 on-line lectures covering 18 medical and surgical topics, 24/7 at www.CMElectures.org/pamilitary. If there is an Internet connection, a PA will have access to lectures by world-class experts in specialties such as emergency medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, infectious diseases, gynecology, and psychiatry. Physician assistants will also have access to CDs containing 70 CME sessions.

Michael S. Feldman, M.D., FACC, founder and chairman of GEF as well as a practicing cardiologist and professor of medicine, said, "Medicine is changing so rapidly it is difficult to keep up with current best practices. We want PAs, wherever they are stationed, to have access to the latest clinical information available. It is why GEF has joined with these two prestigious professional organizations to bring to PAs the CMElectures.org/pamilitary library."

"PAs in the military face a unique hardship when trying to maintain their CME," said AAPA President Mary Ettari. "I'm proud that AAPA, in conjunction with the Foundation and GEF, can provide them with the latest medical information so they can provide the best medical care for our soldiers and sailors."

The lectures are presented in the traditional Grand Rounds format and can be accessed as often as PAs would like. At the end of each lecture is an on-line post-test. When answered correctly, a Certificate of Participation is awarded, which will assist PAs in maintaining their required certification.

"I applaud the AAPA and its partners for providing healthcare providers with Continuing Medical Education," said Acting U.S. Surgeon General and PA Foundation emeritus trustee Kenneth Moritsugu. "It's important that we continue to educate PAs in uniform with the most up-to-date information to improve their skills."

The Graduate Education Foundation was formed through an unrestricted education grant and accepts no commercial support from pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers. This important policy preserves the integrity of the content and the objectivity of the distinguished faculty. Besides operating the online CME service, GEF awards institutional master teacher grants at the medical school and postgraduate residency level. For more information about GEF and our educational programming, visit our website at CMElectures.org.

AAPA is the only national organization to represent physician assistants in all medical and surgical specialties and all practice settings. Founded in 1968, the Academy works to promote quality, cost-effective health care, and the professional and personal growth of PAs. For more information about the Academy and the PA profession, visit the AAPA Web site, www.aapa.org.

As the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Physician Assistant Foundation fosters knowledge and philanthropy that enhances the delivery of quality health care. For more information about the PA Foundation, visit the organizationÕs Web page, www.aapa.org/paf/html.

For more information, visit www.CMElectures.org/pamilitary, or call 856-642-6226 x13

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