[from:  Meg Wright, at "[log in to unmask]"]

Thanks to all who have sent me private e-mails re frenulum.  I will let
you know the results in few weeks as they become available.

Now to answer Arly's question and also Lisa Amir's...

A Physician Assistant is  mid-level health care provider.  We are
dependent practitioners--we must have a supervising MD, although the
exact definition of supervision varies from state to state.  We work in
all specialties as well as primary care and see patients in much the
same manner as MD's.  Yes, we are similar to nurse practitioners, but we
are not all nurses first.  In most states we can write prescriptions for
most meds.

There are about 60 P.A. programs in the US at this time and many colleges
are starting new ones--which is amazing as most are trying to cut cost and
"downsize" whereever they can. The AMA -approved program for PA to the
primary care Physician" ranges from 18-36 months, HOWEVER at least 2
years of college prep is required before one can enter.  Most programs
require some medical experience prior to entry as well, but I noticed it
is not stressed as it used to be.  Most programs offered are part of a 4
year bachelors degree program, but there are more and more Master's level
ones out there too.  When one has completed a program, one has earned the
(legally protected) designation of "P.A." and  is eligible to sit for the
national Board exam.  Passing such adds the "-C", thus one becomes "P.A.-C"
One must then be licensed or registered in their particular state.

Now for me personally , I went through the program when my 1st child was
2.  After the first semester I was able to intermittently adjust my
rotation schedule to be home with him more often.  At that time (1987)
there were no part-time or night programs.  AAPA would know if that has
changed any.  My husband was very supportive and and equal parent of our
son.  BTW my son nursed until age 4, so the schooling didn't seem to
interrupt that!

My oldest is now 10 and I have a 4 1/2 y.o. and 18 mo. old.  I love my
job....but I only work 12-15 hours week.  Occasionally I have worked for
3 month fulltime stints to fill in for someone, but I wouldn't do that on
a regular basis at this point in my life.  I work for a group of 6 family
practice docs who are wonderful.  When it comes to LCing they are very
supportive and refer their patients to me or ask for help in management.
I REALLY love being able to treat both mom and baby completely.  IE Mom
with mastitis, I can write script for antibiotic--don't have to use a
bunch of other MD's.  It's so good to be able to treat everyone at
once--not have your hands tied to only certain piece of the problem.  I
also love the fact that I never have to mess with the business end of
things--all covered through the MDs' office and my malpractice as a PA
doing LC work is also covered.

The PA program is very strenuous, so you should have plenty of financial
and emotional and physical resources for anyone with a family to attempt
it.  The AAPA in Alexandria VA can provide more info to anyone
interested.  They have a directory of programs with requirements/cost
etc.. for a about $15-20.  Their phone number is 703-836-2272. They are
happy to let the world know about Pa's!

Long enough!

Meg Wright, PA-C
(writes on friend's computer because we're not on line yet.)