Physician Assistant Studies Goals and Competencies
Program Goals
- Recruit, admit, and support students with diverse backgrounds and experiences committed to the PA Profession.
- Goal 1 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study review and critical analysis after student matriculation including matriculation data, attrition rates, and employer surveys.
- Provide a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum to prepare PA graduates with the advanced medical knowledge and clinical skills to think critically and to provide high-quality, culturally sensitive patient care.
- Goal 2 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study review and critical analysis after student matriculation including PANCE pass rates, evaluation, and assessment of the curriculum mapping and data collection.
- Prepare PA students to communicate effectively with patients and to collaborate as an integral member of an interprofessional healthcare team to provide high-quality, equitable care to diverse patient populations.
- Goal 3 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study review and critical analysis after student matriculation including preceptor evaluations, IPE activity surveys, and graduate satisfaction surveys.
- Foster a learning environment that promotes faculty and student leadership and community service experiences.
- Goal 4 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study review and critical analysis after student matriculation including data collection from professional organizations and graduate surveys.
Program Competencies
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) defines competencies as “the knowledge; interpersonal, clinical, and technical skills; professional behaviors; and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice.” (ARC-PA, 2020).
PA students of the Agnes Scott College PA Program will build upon the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic and clinical year training to achieve the competencies upon completion of the program:
1.1 Demonstrate understanding of biomedical and clinical sciences to include anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and the mechanisms of common diseases for all major organ systems to provide culturally sensitive patient care across the life span.
1.2 Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies to develop differential diagnosis.
1.3 Develop individualized therapeutic management plans using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities.
2.1 Demonstrate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills to elicit and provide effective exchange of information to patients, their families, and all members of the health care team.
2.2 Use interpersonal and communication skills to foster an inclusive community that promotes respectful dialogue across differences.
3.1 Demonstrate proficiency in performing a history and physical examination across the lifespan
3.2 Demonstrate proficiency in performing essential medical and surgical procedural skills for entry into PA Practice
3.3 Use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education
4.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the laws and regulations that govern PA professional practice.
4.2 Demonstrate cultural humility and respect for others in health care decision making.
4.3 Exhibit responsible and ethical practice in the care of a diverse patient population
5.1 Critically interpret and analyze collected data to formulate differential diagnoses, therapeutic care plans, and appropriate preventative strategies.
5.2 Applies knowledge of evidence-based medicine to provide culturally sensitive patient centered care.