Program Goals
Based on our mission, the goals of the School of Physician Assistant Studies are to:
We use unique and innovative teaching modalities to ensure students receive the highest quality education, not only to meet their board requirements but also to become superior practicing PAs.
Measurement: Exceed the national average five-year first-time PANCE pass rate
Outcome: Over 98% of graduates have passed the PANCE and are NCCPA certified
The program recognizes the importance of giving back. Participation in community outreach events is a required element of the program. By collaborating with several local organizations, we are able to serve multiple underserved communities through activities such as health screenings, food banks, and vaccination clinics. During the Master’s Capstone Project, students identify a population healthcare need within our community and develop and implement a project to help mitigate that need. Some projects in the past have included developing an animal therapy program for individuals living in a family shelter, writing and illustrating a children’s book about asthma triggers, and providing nutrition education to grade school students.
Measurement: All students have participated in at least three community service events during the program.
Outcome: All graduates completed at least three community service events during the time they were enrolled as a student, often more.
A priority for our clinical team is locating quality training sites and preceptors who are actively engaged in providing care for underserved populations. Additionally, students participate in activities and events that provide recurrent exposure to underserved or disadvantaged populations in order to enhance their understanding of the healthcare disparities facing these populations. These activities may include population health lectures, a poverty simulation, guest speakers, group discussions, and community service events for the underserved.
Measurement: Upon graduation, all students will have completed at least one rotation in a health provider shortage or underserved area and will have completed all required program activities and events developed to specifically enhance student understanding of and compassion for underserved communities.
Outcome: All students completed at least one rotation in a provider shortage or underserved area and completed all required program activities and events developed to specifically enhance student understanding of and compassion for underserved communities at the time of graduation. A significant number of students completed multiple rotations in a provider shortage or medically underserved area.
Program Competencies
Medical Knowledge:
- Identify and gather essential and accurate information during patient encounters
- Develop and implement appropriate patient management plans
- Provide preventive health care services and education
- Critically evaluate and appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care
Interpersonal Skills:
- Demonstrate respectful and compassionate verbal and non-verbal communication skills during patient encounters.
- Assess social determinants of health during patient encounters
- Communicate with patients using clear and simple language
- Communicate relevant information clearly and accurately to medical professionals
Clinical and Technical Skills:
- Demonstrate proficiency in patient-centered history-taking and conducting physical examinations
- Create reasonable and patient-specific management plans
- Create clear and accurate clinical documentation for a patient encounter
- Provide accurate, organized, and patient-specific education and counseling
- Demonstrate competency in technical skills
Professional Behaviors:
- Demonstrate respect, kindness, and self-regulation of behavior toward patients, medical professionals, and other team members
- Maintain a professional appearance during patient encounters
Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities:
- Demonstrate sound medical decision-making in assessing a patient’s clinical presentation
- Formulate appropriate differential diagnoses and evidence-based management plans based on patient presentation.
- Appropriately identify situations requiring consultation or referral
- Effectively communicate important or time-sensitive medical findings to appropriate members of a healthcare team
Graduate Learning Outcomes
The School of PA Studies has defined specific competencies required for entry-level PA practice entitled Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO’s). These are based on the competencies as defined by the PA profession.
The MBKU School of PA Studies Graduate Learning Outcomes are listed and described on the document in the link below: