Medical Terms and Abbreviations (Intro to the PA Profession)

AAPA Abbreviation

American Academy of Physician Associates

AAPA Definition

Recognized as the national voice for PAs in medical and surgical specialties

AAPA HOD Abbreviation

The American Academy of Physician Associates House of Delegates

AAPA HOD Definition

Establishes the policies that are implemented by Board of Directors of the AAPA. The HOD meets annually during the annual AAPA Conference. The HOD consists of representatives from the chartered chapters, the officially recognized specialty organizations, Caucuses, and the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates (SAAAPA)

ARC-PA Abbreviation

Accreditation Review Commission of Education for the Physician Assistant

ARC-PA Definition

Approves and revises Accreditation Standards for PA education, reviews applications for accreditation, appoints site visitors, awards accreditation, imposes sanctions and advises programs and institutions on accreditation issues

ADA Abbreviation

American with Disabilities Act

AMA Abbreviation

American Medical Association

CME Abbreviation

Continuing Medical Education

DO Abbreviation

Doctor of Osteopathy

DO Definition

A professional doctoral degree for physicians and surgeons offered by medical schools in the US. One notable difference between DO and MD training is that the DO training adds 300-500 hours studying techniques for hands-on manipulation of the human musculoskeletal system.

Generalist Definition

A physician trained in general practice who does not have specialty training

MD Abbreviation

Medical Doctor

MD Definition

Latin-Medicinae Doctor, meaning “teacher of medicine”. It is the terminal medical degree for practitioners of medicine

MEDEX Abbreviation

Medicine Extension

MEDEX Definition

A term coined by Richard Smith, MD

Medic Definition

a technician trained to provide basic medical care in combat conditions

Medicaid Definition

A program operated by the state that provides medical care to low-income persons; the state Medicaid programs receive federal funding and they must comply with federal guidelines

Medicare Definition

A program that is part of the Social Security Administration. It provides the funds for the elderly and some other population to receive medical care

Nurse Definition

A person who has been trained in the field of nursing, and who meets nursing standards in education and medical competencies. Different designations of nurses exist. A licensed practical nurse may practice under the direction of a registered nurse or physician

NCCPA Abbreviation

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

NCCPA Definition

It is the only credentialing organization for PAs in the UD, and is dedicated to assuring the public that certified PAs to meet established standards of knowledge and clinical skills upon entry into practice and throughout their careers

PAEA Abbreviation

Physician Assistant Education Association

PAEA Definition

PAEA’s mission is to pursue excellence, foster faculty development, advance the body of knowledge that defines quality education and patient-centered care, and promote diversity in all aspects of PA education

PA Abbreviation

Physician Assistant/Associate

PA-C Abbreviation

Physician Assistant-Certified

PA-C Definition

A title that can be used by PAs who have obtained and maintained national certification requirements established by the NCCPA. It is a mark of professional accomplishment, indication the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills. The PA-C credential is widely recognized within the medical professions and is required in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories for licensure or registration as a PA.

PANCE Abbreviation

Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam

PANCE Definition

To attain their initial certification and the PA-C designation, graduates of ARC-PA accredited programs must pass the PANCE. Administered almost year-round by the SCCPA, PANCE is a computer-based, multiple choice test comprised of 300 questions that assess general medical and surgical knowledge

PANRE Abbreviation

Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination

PANRE Definition

To maintain NCCPA certification, PA certificate holders must pass the PANRE before their certificate expires at the end of the sixth year of their certification maintenance cycle. The examination is comprised of 240 multiple-choice questions to assess general medical and surgical knowledge.

Profession Definition

An occupation that requires prolonged training and qualification

SAAAPA Abbreviation

Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates

SAAAPA Definition

SAAAPA has its own structure within the AAPA and includes representation from each PA Program’s student society

Specialist Definition

A physician who has undergone generalist training, and has continues on to specialty training which usually involves a 3-5 year residency

Addiction Medicine

Specialists in addiction medicine treat substance abuse and addiction

Allergy / Immunology

Specialists in allergy and immunology treat conditions that involve the immune system. Examples include allergies, immune deficiency diseases, and autoimmune diseases.

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiologists provide anesthesia for patients who are having surgery or other procedures. They also treat pain and care for patients with critical illnesses or severe injuries

Cardiac electrophysiology

Cardiac electrophysiologists use technical procedures to evaluate heart rhythms

Cardiac Surgery & Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeons treat problems in the chest, including problems affecting the heart, lungs, or windpipe

Cardiovascular disease (Cardiology)

Cardiologists treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Chiropractic

Chiropractors adjust specific parts of the body (often the spine) to prevent and treat diseases

Colorectal surgery (Proctology)

Colorectal surgeons treat diseases of the lower digestive tract

Critical care (Intensivists)

Intensivists treat critically ill or injured patients

Dermatology

Dermatologists treat skin conditions

Diagnostic radiology

Diagnostic radiologists use imaging, such as x-rays or ultrasound, to diagnose diseases

Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine specialists take care of patients with critical illnesses or injuries

Endocrinology

Endocrinologists treat diseases that involve the internal (endocrine) glands. Examples include diabetes and diseases of the thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal glands

Family Practice

Family practitioners provide primary care for people of all ages. They treat illnesses, provide preventative care, and coordinate the care provided by other health professionals

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologists treat diseases of the digestive organs, including the stomach, bowels, liver, and gallbladder

General practive

General practitioners provide primary care. They treat illnesses, provide preventative care, and coordinate the care provided by other health professionals

General surgery

General surgeons take care of patients who may need surgery

Geriatric medicine

Geriatricians provide primary care for elderly patients

Gynecological oncology

Gynecological oncologists treat cancers of the female reproductive organs

Hand Surgery

Hand surgeons perform surgery for patients with problems that affect the hand, wrist, or forearm

Hematology

Hematologists treat diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph. Examples include anemia, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and leukemia

Hospice and palliative care

Hospice and palliative care physicians manage pain and other distressing symptoms of serious illnesses. “Hospice care” is palliative care for patients who are expected to have 6 months or less to live

Infectious disease

Infectious disease physicians treat patients with all types of infectious diseases

Internal Medicine

Internists treat diseases of the internal organs that don’t require surgery. They also provide primary care for teenagers, adults, and elderly people

Interventional cardiology

Interventional cardiologists are heart and circulatory system specialists who use minimally invasive catheterization techniques to diagnose and treat coronary arteries, the peripheral vascular system, heart valves, and congenital heart defects

Interventional pain management

Interventional pain management specialists use special procedures to treat and manage pain. For example, they may use cryoablation (a procedure involving extreme cold) to stop a nerve from working for a long period of time

Interventional radiology

Interventional radiologists perform procedures guided by various types of imaging. For example, they may use imaging to find a clogged spot in an artery and to guide a procedure to unclog it

Maxillofacial surgery

Maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery on the teeth, jaws, and surrounding issues

Medical oncology

Medical oncologists treat cancer with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. They may also coordinate cancer care given by other specialists

Nephrology

Nephrologists treat disorders of the kidneys

Neurology

Neurologists treat diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves

Neuropsychiatry

Neuropsychiatrists treat patients with behavioral disturbances related to nervous system problems

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgeons perform surgery to treat problems in the brain, spine, and nerves

Nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine specialists use radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases

Obstetrics / Gynecology

Obstetricians and gynecologists take care of women during pregnancy and childbirth (called obstetrics). They also treat disorders of the female reproductive system (called gynecology)

Opthalmology

Opthamologists are physicians who specialize in the care of the eyes. They prescribe glasses and contact lenses, diagnose and treat eye conditions, and perform eye surgery

Optometry

Optometrists are eye care professionals who perform eye examinations, prescribe corrective lenses, and treat some eye diseases that don’t require surgery

Oral surgery (Dentist only)

Oral surgeons are dentists who use surgery to treat problems in the mouth and nearby areas

Orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic surgeons treat diseases, injuries, and deformities of the bones and muscles

Osteopathic manipulative medicine

Osteopathic physicians often use a treatment method called osteopathic manipulative treatment. This is a hands-on approach to make sure that the body is moving freely

Otolaryngology

Otolaryngologists treat conditions of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) and related areas of the head and neck

Pain management

Pain management specialists take care of patients with pain

Pathology

Pathologists examine body tissues and interpret laboratory test results

Pediatric medicine

Pediatricians provide primary care for infants, children, and teenagers

Peripheral vascular disease

Peripheral vascular disease physicians treat diseases of the circulatory system other than those of the brain and heart

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists are physicians who treat patients with short-term or long-term disabilities

Plastic and reconstructive surgery

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons perform procedures to improve the appearance or function of parts of the body

Podiatry

Podiatrists specialize in caring for the foot and treating foot diseases

Preventative medicine

Preventative medicine specialists work to promote the health and well-being of individuals or groups of people

Primary care

Primary care physicians treat illness, provide preventative care, amd coordinate the care provided by other health professionals. Physicians in family practice, general practice, geriatric medicine, and internal medicine provide primary care.

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists treat mental, addictive, and emotional disorders

Psychiatry (Geriatric)

Geriatric psychiatrists treat mental and emotional disorders in elderly people

Pulmonary disease

Pulmonologists treat diseases of the lungs and airways

Radiation oncology

Radiation oncologists use radiation to treat cancer

Rheumatology

Rheumatologists treat problems involving the joints, muscles, bones, and tendons

Sleep medicine

Sleep medicine physicians treat problems related to sleep or the sleep-wake cycle

Sports medicine

Sports medicine physicians treat problems related to participation in sports or exercise

Surgical oncology

Surgical oncologists specialize in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgeons treat problems in the chest, including problems affecting the heart, lungs, or windpipe

Urology

Urologists treat problems in the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system

Vascular surgery

Vascular surgeons treat diseases of the circulatory system, other than the brain and heart

HP - Anesthesiologist assistant

Anesthesiologist assistants work under the direction of an anesthesiologist as a part of the anesthesia care team

HP - Audiology

Audiologists have advanced training and evaluate hearing or balance problems. They provide hearing aids and counsel people about how to cope with hearing loss

HP - Certified nurse midwife

Certified nurse midwives (CNM) are registered nurses who have earned a master’s degree in nursing and met other requirements. They practice in hospitals and medical clinics. They may also deliver babies in birthing centers and attend home births

HP - Certified registered nurse anesthetist

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) are registered nurses who have earned a master’s degree in nursing and met other requirements. They provide anesthesia, working with other health care professionals