Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that today, healthcare practitioners enjoy a wide range of digital equipment that can help them provide more efficient healthcare services, including laptop computers, cellular telephones and personal digital assistants, or PDAs. The writer points out that these devices have been used in various ways by clinicians to improve their ability to deliver more timely and accurate diagnoses and treatments and it is clear that the use of these devices will continue to increase in the future. The writer provides a current snapshot of how personal digital assistants are being used in various healthcare settings, including military and government tertiary facilities and the use of PDAs on the battlefield in times of war, but with a specific focus on how PDAs are being used in nongovernmental healthcare facilities today. To this end, a critical review of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature is provided to describe the general history and evolvement of PDAs, a recapitulation of current literature and research studies, a discussion of how these devices are currently being used in the healthcare arena, and an estimation of future trends based on the foregoing descriptions. A summary of the research and relevant findings are presented in the conclusion.

Outline:
Review and Discussion
History and Evolvement of PDAs in the Healthcare Field
Current Literature and Research Studies
Application of the Area in the Healthcare Arena
Visions for the Future
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The research showed that personal digital assistants, or PDAs, are increasingly popular handheld devices that provide users with a vast array of functions and features that are particularly useful in healthcare settings. The research also showed that while PDAs are becoming smaller and more powerful, they are also becoming easier to use, but some healthcare practitioners may be reluctant to invest the time needed to learn how to use these devices efficiently today. There appears to be some good reason for this reluctance on the part of many healthcare professionals as well. Past trends suggest that PDAs, like other digital devices, may well just be interim technology that will be eventually supplanted by the ubiquitous computing environment that many observers predict will be firmly in place in the near future. In the meantime, the research was clear in showing that more and more people are using PDAs in their personal and professional lives, and healthcare providers are no exception. A few studies concerning how these devices can be used in various healthcare settings have already found their way into the peer-reviewed, organizational and military-based literature, and it is reasonable to conclude that new applications for PDAs will continue to be identified in healthcare until such a time as a superior technology emerges to replace them. Finally, the U.S. Department of Defense was shown to be a firm advocate of the use of PDAs by healthcare providers as part of its ongoing initiative to transform the battlefield into a comprehensive digital environment wherein resources can be more effectively deployed and better use of existing resources can be accomplished."

Tags:devices, data, convenience, tasks

Abstract
This essay discusses Therese Cannon's "Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Legal Assistants". The paper analyses the subject of legal ethics, especially as they apply to paralegals. Overall, we get a good overview of the issue of legal ethics. This is vital, since the roles of paralegals are expanding in the legal service.

Abstract
This paper offers a critical analysis of secretaries and administrative assistants. The writer discusses that various fields of occupation need secretaries and administrative assistants, with more and more positions open in this field. However, the writer notes that the duties of these administrative staff continue to change as newer technology is discovered. Further, the writer maintains that the impact of technology on secretarial jobs has changed the role of secretaries and administrative assistants and will continue to change their roles.

From the Paper
"What does a secretary do? What are administrative assistants? Should I even consider being a secretary or administrative assistant? These are important questions in the process of doing a labor analysis in this field. First, what is the main role of a secretary or administrative assistant? This is a difficult question because different secretaries and office administrators do different duties depending on the company."

Tags:secretaries, technology, occupations

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at the role of the physician's assistant and how historically, they have often taken on more than what they were trained to do. The paper discusses the reasons for this as being mainly due to a lack of funding and properly trained staff. This paper reviews the reasons behind managed care difficulties and the shortage of funds, as well as the lack of training for physician assistants and the financial problems that plague hospitals. In examining these issues, it shows that the shortage of funding and the consequent shortage of physician assistants is causing difficulties that will stretch into the future and continue to cause difficulties as the population of the United States gets older and begins to require more care.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Rationale of the Study
Definition of Terms
Overview of the Study
Chapter two: Review of related literature
Chapter three: Methodology
Approach
Data Gathering Method
Database of Study
Validity of Data
Originality and Limitation of Data
Summary

From the Paper
"There are ways to attract new people into the physician assistant profession, however, and this will be a great benefit for physician assistants who are already working and for the patients that they serve as well. Hospitals will also be helped by this as they will have fewer complaints and fewer problems that they must deal with (Tietze, Davis, & Kashka, 1998). However, "patient care will be one of the most important issues that will be affected by an influx of new physician assistants into the field" (Tietze, Davis, & Kashka, 1998).
The stress that most of the physician assistants face in their daily lives will be reduced greatly by a group of new physician assistants who are also able to take on patients and perform other duties. This will take some of the work off of the current physician assistants and the greater amount of physician assistants will allow for not only physician assistants that are happier but also for more time with patients who may desperately need someone to talk to. Patients will not only get more of the attention that many of them desperately need from a larger group of physician assistants, but in some cases they will also receive better treatment (Tietze, Davis, & Kashka, 1998). This is not to imply that physician assistants deliberately mistreat patients, although there have likely been instances of this in the past. However, in general physician assistants are very compassionate people who would never deliberately do anything to mistreat a patient. People under stress, no matter how calm and compassionate they normally are, sometimes say things that they should not or are more rough with an individual than they need to be simply because they are already aggravated and in a hurry based on something else that is happening to them (Tietze, Davis, & Kashka, 1998). "

Tags:patients, practice, ethics, profession, death, procedure, surgery

Abstract
This paper discusses the qualities and qualifications required to become a physician assistant. Physician assistants render healthcare services under the direct supervision of physicians and are formally trained to purvey diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services. It describes the academic requirements to participate in the two year training course as well as capabilities and skills such as observation, communication, interpersonal skills and motor skills.

From the Paper
"The practice of medicine obligates Physician Assistant candidates and students to be able to form mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and colleagues (rit.edu). To render high quality patient care Physician Assistant candidates and students must possess the attributes of adaptability, flexibility, and be able to function sometimes in the face of incertitude (rit.edu). The healthcare environment requires candidates and students to be able to continue to function effectively and efficiently in the face of physical and emotional stress (rit.edu). The candidates must also possess a high degree of compassion for others, the motivation to serve, integrity, and a cognizance of social values (rit.edu)."

Tags:healthcare, services, communication, patient, care, observation

From the Paper
"This paper presents an analysis of the similarities and differences between nurse practitioners and physician assistants with respect to their functions, responsibilities, and legal obligations. The starting point for the paper is a review of the history of both professions and their evolution to their current status. Next is a discussion of the similarities and differences between the positions of a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant, as well as their entailing responsibilities, both from a patient and a legal perspective. In most respects, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, especially in urban areas, carry the same duties and responsibilities. However, in rural areas, differences between nurse practitioners and physician assistants are more prominent. This paper highlights both the similarities and differences between the two professions.."

Abstract
The paper discusses how inclusive classroom engagement of students with special needs is not only a goal of students' parents, but of the educational community itself. The paper explains, however, that a transition towards true inclusivity has been challenging for both researchers and educators. The paper looks at how Warner suggests that the disconnect may lie in the paucity of interest and training in special needs in teacher education itself, and as teacher curricula ignores or sidelines special education, inclusion itself becomes discredited. The paper asserts that whether or not this will continue to be true as teacher curricula develops, Warner's central point is still valid: teachers may need support in order to create an inclusionary classroom that speaks to the needs of all students.

From the Paper
"Inclusive classroom engagement of students with special needs is not only a goal of students' parents, but of the educational community itself. A transition towards true inclusivity, however, has been challenging for both researchers and educators. Warner suggests that the disconnect may lie in the paucity of interest and training in special needs in teacher education itself, and as teacher curricula ignores or sidelines special education, inclusion itself becomes discredited. Whether or not this will continue to be true as teacher curricula develops, Warner's central point is still valid: teachers may need support in order to create an..."

Tags:education, special, needs

Abstract
Discusses job redesign for an RNFA. Job redesigning strategies and approaches for a hospital setting. Components of the RNFA role. Focuses on two major position components after job redesign. Recommends an implementation strategy of educational courses. Discusses four categories of design and redesign of work. Qualifications needed, and functions of an RNFA.

From the Paper
"Job Redesign for an RNFA

Registered nurse first assistants (RFNAs) are educated to collaborate with surgeons and health care team members in performing surgical procedures with optimal outcomes for patients. RNFAs must acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgment needed for clinical practice and must function in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience (Homan & Dunscombe, 2000). In the changing health climate of today, patients need the continuity of care that an RNFA can provide. This brief report will discuss job redesigning strategies for the RNFA in the hospital setting. It will first identify job redesign approaches that could be used for the position and then identify the present components of the RNFA role. Finally, the report will describe ..."

Abstract
Physician assisted suicide is a highly emotional and controversial issue. This paper discusses the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia, looks at the pros and cons of assisted suicide, reviews existing Florida legislature and examines Dr. Jack Kevorkian's role in assisted suicide. The second half of the paper continues on a more humane note and discusses patients' right to self-determination, issues relating to sanctity of life, pain and suffering and comments on the doctor-patient relationship and potential areas of abuse.

From the Paper
"Terminally ill patients know when the end is inevitable. They know when continued medical efforts are futile and many simply feel the cure that medical science is thrusting upon them is not worth the increased level of pain and discomfort they cause. When enough is truly enough, some patients will ask their physician to assist them in ending their life. Physician assisted suicide is a highly emotional and controversial issue that has significant ethical, religious and legal ramifications. This high-level paper will discuss physician assisted suicide, citing both pros and cons, examine Florida's legislature and look at the influence Dr. Jack Kevorkian played. The paper continues with a generalized discussion of patients' right to self-determination, issues relating to sanctity of life, pain and suffering and comments on the doctor-patient relationship and potential areas of abuse. While the number of pros and cons presented are equal the value that..."

Tags:euthanasia, assisted, suicide, physician

Abstract
The moral issue of physician-assisted suicide is in the forefront of controversial issues being discussed amongst Oregonians today, according to this paper. Oregon's ballot measures 16 and 51 changed the law to legalize physician-assisted suicide - the first state to have such legal rights. This paper gives an inside perspective on the many opinions that the author from Oregon tries to portray.

From the Paper
""In November 1994, Oregonians voted on ballot measure 16, a measure which would legalize physician-assisted suicide. Under this measure, physicians would legally be able to write a prescription of lethal drugs to adults with a 6 months or less diagnosis of a terminal illness" (http://www.ortl.org/suicide/background.htm). Before this election in Oregon, pro-euthanasia groups had come together and campaigned unsuccessfully in California in 1992, and in Washington in 1991. Perhaps the reason these two states were unable to gain election was because the method of death was legal injection to be administered by the physician. "Exit polls revealed the public's distrust of this method, thus causing the Right to Die campaign to "soften" the method to self-administered drugs. This tactic was better received by the public, and Measure 16 passed by a slim margin of 51% to 49%, making Oregon the first government in the world to legalize physician-assisted suicide" (http://www.org/suicide/background.htm). Thus, from the start of this election, it is easy to observe that not everyone in Oregon was or is excited about this new legalization. Such a small margin of wining was bound to give rise to controversy over the issue, and that's exactly what resulted."

Tags:assisted, care, ethics, health, laws, physician, suicide, Oregon, legal, government