JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants
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The development of postoperative confusion in older patients is increasingly being recognized as clinically significant because it is becoming more common as the population ages. Postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction differ in time course of development. ⋯ Postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction appear to increase a patient's risk for developing dementia. Routine preoperative screening may help to identify patients with preexisting cognitive impairment who are at greatest risk for developing postoperative delirium or postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
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The world of healthcare is changing, and patient needs are changing with it. Traditional doctor-driven models of workforce planning are no longer sustainable in the United Kingdom (UK) healthcare economy, and newer models are needed. ⋯ This report describes the development of the PA profession in the UK from 2002, with projections through 2020, and includes governance, training, and the path to regulation. With rising demands on the healthcare workforce, the PA profession is predicted to positively influence clinical workforce challenges across the UK healthcare economy.