Mission and Goals

Justification: The program expects all current students and all future graduates of the program to provide evidence-based medical care and exhibit lifelong learning skills.

Outcomes to be measured:

• 100% of students will achieve passing scores on their Masters’ Thesis Capstone project (a rapid review of the medical literature and poster presentation) as part of the Capstone course (PHA 604)
• 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine (PHA 526), and Research Methods Designs, and Implementation (PHA 543) courses.

Actual outcomes:

• Successful Course Completion – Capstone course (PHA 604)
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 successfully completed the Capstone course (PHA 604)
• 100% of students in the Classes of 2022, and 2023 scored a passing grade in the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine (PHA 526), and Research Methods Designs, and Implementation (PHA 543) courses.

Justification: According to data published by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), the United States could see an estimated shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in both primary and specialty care. Our curriculum includes two 5-week long rotations in primary care, along with a special focus on the elderly and geriatrics (PHA 602 and 605) to help prepare graduates for a career in primary care with an overall aging population according to the United States Census Bureau. Additionally, the mission statement of the PA program includes providing our students a foundation in equitable, patient-centered primary care.

Outcomes to be measured:

• 5-year first time PANCE pass rate that meets or exceeds the national average.
• 100% of students will graduate from the program with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
• 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Family Medicine Rotations I & II (PHA 651, 652).
• 100% of students will attain at least a score of 3.0/5.0 average on the Preceptor’s Evaluation of Student on each rotation
• 100% students must demonstrate proficiency on the End-of-Rotation exams, and an End-of-Curriculum exam
• Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students agree that they are prepared (strongly agree to agree) to practice clinically in general.

Actual outcomes:

• First-time PANCE taker pass rates vs national averages:
  • The first time pass rate for the class of 2022 was 68% vs. national average of 92%
• Cumulative overall GPA of each graduate above a 3.0:
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 completed the program with a cumulative overall GPA above a 3.0
• Successful Family Medicine courses completed
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 completed two back-back Family medicine rotations, successfully completing PHA 651 and PHA 652
• Preceptor Evaluations of Students minimum 3.0/5.0 average
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 received above a 3.0 average score on clinical preceptor evaluations
• Successful End-of-Rotation and End-of Curriculum Exams
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 successfully completed all End-of-Rotation Exams, along with the End-of-Curriculum summative exam
• Graduation Exit Survey
  • 36/38 students from the class of 2022 completed the Graduation Exit Survey, a response rate of 94.7%
  • 77.78% of students reported that they agree or strongly agree that they feel prepared to enter clinical practice.

Justification: Interprofessional collaboration is a key tenet of current medical practice. To provide high quality patient care current and future physician assistant students will need to work, communicate, and collaborate to optimize outcomes. Additionally, a focus on interprofessional healthcare is a major component to the mission of the PA program.

Outcomes measured:

• 100% of students will participate in IPE training throughout both years of the curriculum with teams made up of medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing students.
• 100% of students from the class of 2022 achieved a passing preceptor evaluations on all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the areas of: professionalism, preventative care & counseling, medical knowledge & evidence-based decision-making, clinical skills, and understanding various roles in health care.

Actual outcomes:

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 participated in at least 5 hours of programmed IPE training with other medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing students.
• SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:
  • 100% Students from the class of 2022 achieved a passing preceptor evaluation on all SCPEs

Justification: Professionalism is among the highest core values of the PA profession and our program as noted by the adopted Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession published by the AAPA. The program expects all students to demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and as noted by our mission, to possess a strong foundation in providing equitable patient care to all patients in all circumstances.

Outcomes to be measured:

• 100% of students must pass the professionalism section of all preceptor evaluations of all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs)
• 100% students will have a professionalism advising evaluation each semester
• 100% students will successfully complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program in research, ethics, compliance, and safety
• 100% students will successfully complete a mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

Actual outcomes:

• Professionalism Scores on SCPE Preceptor Evaluation:
  • 100% Students from the class of 2022 achieved a passing preceptor evaluation on professionalism for all SCPEs
• 100% of students have had a professionalism evaluation each semester completed by their faculty advisor
• 100% students have successfully completed the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program in research, ethics, compliance, and safety as a component of the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine course (PHA 526).
• 100% of matriculated students have successfully completed a mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

Justification: The Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession as adopted and produced jointly by the four national PA organizations, recognizes the need for PAs to demonstrate investigative and critical thinking in clinical situations, utilize therapeutic decision making and clinical problem-solving skills, and provide person-centered care. The PA program Mission Statement also supports providing a foundation in person-centered care.

Outcomes to be measured:

1. 100% of students will successfully complete case-based Clinical Reasoning Conferences (CRCs) throughout the curriculum
2. 100% of students will complete supplemental, clinically challenging i-Human cases throughout the clinical year
3. 100% of students will successfully complete History and Physical Exam I (PHA 503) and History and Physical Exam II and Clinical Skills (PHA 522) courses.
4. 100% of students will demonstrate proficiency on all OSCEs and medical note writing exercises and assignments.
5. 100% of students from the class of 2022 achieved passing preceptor evaluations on all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the areas of: professionalism, preventative care & counseling, medical knowledge & evidence-based decision-making, clinical skills, and understanding various roles in health care.

Actual outcomes:

• 100% of students in the class of 2022 have completed case-based Clinical Reasoning Conferences (CRCs). The class of 2023 is still progressing through the curriculum and will complete these CRCs prior to graduation.
• i-Human cases: 100% of students from the Class of 2022 completed all supplemental i-Human cases
• 100% of students have successfully completed the History and Physical Exam I (PHA 503) and History and Physical Exam II and Clinical Skills (PHA 522) courses.
• OSCEs and Notes:
• 100% Class of 2022 and 2023 have completed and demonstrated proficiency for all OSCEs and notes during the didactic portion of the curriculum. The remaining curriculum will end on September 9, 2022.
• TBD, the Class of 2024 is currently in progress and completing their didactic portion of the curriculum.
• SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:
  • 100% Students from the class of 2022 achieved a passing preceptor evaluation on all SCPEs

Justification: Part of the mission statement of the PA program is to educate future PAs and to provide students a focus on primary family medicine.

Outcomes to be measured:

• 100% of students will complete the PA program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• 100% of students will demonstrate proficiency on all summative examinations, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills examinations
• 100% of students will successfully complete all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).
• 100% of students will successfully complete all end-of-rotation exam
• 100% of students will successfully complete and pass the PAEA end-of-curriculum summative exam
• 100% of students will complete two, five-week long clinical rotations in family medicine
• 100% of students will attain at minimum, an overall average score of 3.0/5.0 on the Preceptor’s Evaluation of Students on each supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).
• Graduates will have a first-time pass rate at or above the national average

Actual outcomes:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 completed the PA program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Summative exams, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills exams:
  • 100% Class of 2022 have completed and demonstrated proficiency on the summative exams, including all OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills exams.
  • TBD, the Class of 2023 is currently in progress completing their clinical year.
• SCPEs
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 successfully completed all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).
• End-of-Rotation exams
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 successfully completed all End-of-Rotation exams
• End-of-Curriculum exam
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 successfully completed the End-of-Curriculum exam>
• Two 5-week long family medicine SCPEs
  • 100% of students from the class of 2022 completed two 5-week long supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in family medicine (primary care), back-to-back.
• Preceptor Evaluation of Students
  • 100% of students attained at minimum, an overall average score of 3.0/5.0 on the Preceptor’s Evaluation of Students on each supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).
• PANCE performance
  • The first time pass rate for the class of 2022 was 68% vs. national average of 92%
     

Justification: In accordance with the University Diversity Statement, and the PA program mission and policy on diversity, we support the integrative efforts throughout the University, the PA program, and curriculum to foster, promote, and support DEI initiatives and to create a culture of awareness, acceptance, and understanding.

Outcomes to be measured:

• 100% of students will successfully complete a 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice III (PHA 606).
• 100% of students will complete activities and discussions during the SJU Day of Dialogue
• 100% of students will complete learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum

Actual outcomes:

• 100% of students in the class of 2022 have successfully completed the 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice III (PHA 606).
• 100% of students in the class of 2023 and 2024 have attended completed activities during the SJU Day of Dialogue
  • Students from the class of 2022 participated in Martin Luther King Day of Service events at the University of the Sciences
• 100% of students have completed learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum