Patient Education: a Practical Approach: A Practical Approach

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Richard D. Muma, is a Chair and Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health Professions, at Wichita State University (WSU). Dr. Muma has more than 20 years of experience as an educator/administrator and 12 years of experience as a physician assistant (PA) in internal medicine and infectious diseases.' Before assuming the chair position in Public Health Sciences, he served as Chair in the Department of Physician Assistant at WSU for eight years.' Prior to joining the WSU faculty, Dr. Muma served as Chair for Saint Louis University’s Department of PA Education and an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas-Galveston (UTMB), Department of PA Studies.' He has a BS degree in physician assistant studies from UTMB, an MPH in Community Health from the University of Texas-Houston, and a PhD in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His research focuses on the review and dissemination of clinical medicine guidelines and workforce issues. He has published many articles and chapters in his research areas including four books, three on HIV infection and one other on patient education.' In addition to his administrative duties as Chair, he teaches Introduction to the U.S. Health Services System and Emerging Health Care Issues of the 21st century.

Barbara Ann Lyons has been a faculty member in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for almost 30 years. Beginning as an instructor, she has worked up the faculty ranks and is now an associate professor with tenure. Her first undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts granted by Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, New York with a concentration in biology/psychology. Leaving New York, she came to Houston, Texas to attend the physician assistant program at Baylor College of Medicine and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a physician assistant certificate. Her postgraduate degree is a Master of Arts in college teaching from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Since her employment at UTMB, she has had an interest in various preventive medicine topics and in women’s health issues. Teaching responsibilities include Preventive Medicine, and clinical rotations of emergency medicine and surgery. She has mentored several student research projects over many preventive medicine topics, many on nutrition.'She co-edited three previous books with Dr. Muma and has been a contributor to several PA review books and a textbook on clinical problem solving. 'Ms. Lyons has been inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and the Physician Assistant Honor Society, Pi Alpha. Ms. Lyons is the recipient of the Robert J. Luchi M.D. Distinguished Alumna Award at Baylor College of Medicine for outstanding dedication to the Physician Assistant Profession.