Meet Ashley Licursi PAC, MMS
Ms. Licursi has been practicing as a PA in Emergency Medicine for 6 years. Prior to that she worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Urgent Care. She obtained her first Masters Degree at Colorado State University and attended PA school at Red Rocks Community College.
Describe how you came to become a PA and what led you to Emergency Medicine.
I was on the fast track to medical school and discovered it wasn’t the right path for me. After obtaining my first Masters degree I applied to PA school on a whim. After practicing in Urgent Care I discovered that I desired a higher acuity setting, so applied to the ER and became an ED PA.
What can/can’t a PA do in the ED setting?
I can do anything a Physician can do, however, for some things I need Attending Physician oversight.
What barriers did you have to overcome personally and within your facility to practice successfully in this environment?
Working in a teaching facility specifically can sometimes be difficult. Our main mission is to not only provide great care to patients but train the next group of physicians. This sometimes mean our professional development can be lacking. However, if you continue to ask questions and push for opportunities it is possible to have a fulfilling career.
What has been your experience with PT in the ED?
AMAZING. At this point I don’t know if I could go back to having to manage patients without my PT colleagues. They really help round out the care provided to patients in the ER.
Why do you think this is a valuable practice area for physical therapists?
Patients often come to the ER for chronic issues as they are at their wits end, chronic back pain for example. Often if there is not an acute change requiring urgent/emergent intervention, there is not much that we have to offer besides medications. PT can often provide these patients a great amount of relief that I don’t have the skill set to provide.
What was the most surprising thing for you about physical therapists in this setting?
I honestly wasn’t aware of the full scope of practice for PTs until recently. The presence of PT in the ED has really helped improve patient care in our ER.
What suggestions do you have for PTs to become effective members of the team in the ED?
Communication is key. Just make sure that if you have concerns or questions that you chat with whoever is managing the patient. The more we talk/know you the easier it will be to become a team member.
Share a time when working with the PT in the ED made for an optimal outcome for the patient.
How can I pick just one? I find that any shift I work where a patient requires co-management of a patient with PT lends itself towards better outcomes. PTs possess a skill set that is not taught to PAs. Together we provide better, more comprehensive care.
For More
Listen or watch as Ashley & Dr. Griffith dive into what makes the PA/PT partnership work & how this improves patient outcomes in the ED. Recent literature suggests PAs can have a positive effect on ED performance. Read more.
Don’t miss our new webinar on how to improve the ED experience for older adults.
