Counseling Connection

Differentiating Approved COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters

By

Mary Koslap-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP

When counseling patients on COVID-19 vaccine decisions, factors to consider include patient age, underlying medical conditions, contraindications, and vaccine availability.

Guide for Management of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Counseling for Patients Who Have Failed Therapy

By

Zachary Sabaday, PA-C

Stephen Schleicher, MD

Shared decision-making in plaque psoriasis must address the potential risks and benefits of each treatment option, location and extent of disease, patient preference, and access to care.

Self-Management and Lifestyle Medicine for Comorbid Diabetes and Heart Disease

By

Jonathan Weber, MA, PA-C

By identifying hardships and fears, dispelling myths and misunderstandings, and finding individualized treatment options, we can help patients relieve some of the burdens of chronic disease and improve longevity and quality of life.

Shared Decision-Making in Uterine Fibroid Management

By

Heidi Collins Fantasia, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP

Approximately 70% to 80% of women in their reproductive years develop fibroids, which can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and poor quality of life.

Navigating Care for People With Epilepsy

By

Kelly Renee Conner, PhD, PA-C

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurologic disorder in the United States. Approximately 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy.

Importance of Linkage to Care to Improve Outcomes in HIV Treatment

By

Aubri Hickman, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AAHIVS

Adherence to follow-up care in HIV treatment is important for improving health outcomes for people living with HIV and decreasing the number of new HIV infections.

Managing Stroke Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

By

Leslie L. Davis, PhD, RN, ANP-BC

Clinicians need to discuss the types of atrial fibrillation (AF), assessment tools used to designate stroke risk, and best treatment options to prevent stroke when the diagnosis of AF is made.

Oral Medication Management in Patients With Dysphagia

By

Carel Mountain, DNP, RN, CNE

Kimberlee Golles, MS, CCC-SLP

Dysphagia affects more than half of older patients and often necessitates a change in how oral medications are delivered.

Rosacea: Strategic Management to Optimize Treatment Success

By

Amber Blair, MMS, PA-C

Providers should be prepared to discuss rosacea in patients suspected of having the disease. Early recognition and proper therapy can improve the quality of life of patients with rosacea.

EDS: Is It Sleep Apnea or Is It Narcolepsy?

By

Sharon M. O'Brien, MPAS, PA-C

One of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness, which is why it is often confused with narcolepsy.

Initiating Conversations About HIV Prevention

By

Jason Farley, PhD, MPH, FAAN

Effective implementation of HIV prevention strategies begins with appropriate patient-clinician communication, and one of the most important things a nurse practitioner and physician assistant can do is normalize the conversation.

Management Strategies for Peripheral Artery Disease

By

G. Jay Bishop, MD

Peripheral artery disease is one of the most underdiagnosed entities in vascular medicine, and clinicians should look for specific patient risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia when screening for this disease.

Counseling Patients With Dyspareunia in Menopause

By

Shawana S. Moore, DNP, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC

As dyspareunia may cause distress or interpersonal conflict between women and their partners, healthcare providers should routinely ask about discomfort during intercourse, especially in menopausal patients.

The Practitioner’s Guide to Atopic Dermatitis

By

Lauren Ax, MSPAS, PA-C

For optimal results, a multifaceted approach should be used for management of patients with atopic dermatitis.