Articles related to Physician Assistant (PA)

A physician associate in an understaffed emergency department diagnosed a patient’s severe back pain as sciatica after a CT scan read as normal. Five days later, a different clinician identified a perirectal abscess that had already progressed to require multiple surgeries.

The FDA approved cefepime-zidebactam (Zaynich) for complicated UTI and pyelonephritis caused by susceptible gram-negative organisms. Approval followed phase 3 trial data showing higher rates of symptom and microbiologic resolution compared with meropenem in hospitalized adults.

A network meta-analysis of 32 randomized trials found long-term, high-dose vitamin D supplementation added to standard multiple sclerosis therapy reduced relapse risk and eased disability progression, while short-term use showed no significant effect.

A BMJ systematic review of 69 trials found calcium and vitamin D supplementation provided little to no reduction in fracture or fall risk among nearly 154,000 older adults studied.

A 553-respondent UK survey of cardiology resident doctors found that nearly one-third reported witnessing physician assistants performing procedures outside defined scope of practice, with earlier-stage trainees reporting the most negative impact on training opportunities.

A man in his early 30s presenting with post-viral chest pain and bilateral forearm numbness posed a diagnostic challenge when automated ECG interpretation missed findings later consistent with acute pericarditis, including diffuse concave-upward ST elevation, PR depression, and a positive Spodick sign.