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:

1. 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)

2. 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:

1. Successful Course Completion – Capstone course (PHA 604)

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed the Capstone course (PHA 604)

2. 100% of students in the classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 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:

1. First time PANCE rate will be at or above National Average

2. 100% of students will graduate from the program with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

3. 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Family Medicine Rotations I & II (PHA 651, 652).

4. 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

5. 100% students must demonstrate proficiency on the End-of-Rotation exams, and an End-of-Curriculum exam

Actual outcomes:

1. First time PANCE rate will be at or above National Average

• The first time pass rate for the class of 2022 was 68%
• The first time pass rate for the class of 2023 was 77%

2. Cumulative overall GPA of each graduate above a 3.0:

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022, and 2023 completed the program with a cumulative overall GPA above a 3.0

3. Successful Family Medicine courses completed

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022, and 2023 completed two Family medicine rotations, successfully completing PHA 651 and PHA 652

4. Preceptor Evaluations of Students minimum 3.0/5.0 average

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022, and 2023 received above a 3.0 average score on clinical preceptor evaluations

5. Successful End-of-Rotation and End-of Curriculum Exams

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022, and 2023 successfully completed all End-of-Rotation Exams, along with the End-of-Curriculum summative exam

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:

1. 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.

2. 100% of students will achieve 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:

1. 100% of students from the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024 participated in at least 5 hours of programmed IPE training with other medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing students.

2. SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:

• 100% Students from the class of 2022, and 2023 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:

1. 100% of students must pass the professionalism section of all preceptor evaluations of all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs)

2. 100% students will have a professionalism advising evaluation each semester

3. 100% students will successfully complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program in research, ethics, compliance, and safety

4. 100% students will successfully complete a mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

Actual outcomes:

1. Professionalism Scores on SCPE Preceptor Evaluation:

• 100% Students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 achieved a passing preceptor evaluation on professionalism for all SCPEs

2. 100% of students have had a professionalism evaluation each semester completed by their faculty advisor

3. 100% students from the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 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).

4. 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 will achieve 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:

1. 100% of students in the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 have completed case-based Clinical Reasoning Conferences (CRCs).

2. i-Human cases: 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 completed all supplemental i-Human cases

3. 100% of students from the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 have successfully completed the History and Physical Exam I (PHA 503) and History and Physical Exam II and Clinical Skills (PHA 522) courses.

4. 100% of students from the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 have completed and demonstrated proficiency for all OSCEs and notes during the didactic portion of the curriculum.

5. SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:

• 100% Students from the class of 2022 and 2023 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:

1. 100% of students will complete the PA program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

2. 100% of students will demonstrate proficiency on all summative examinations, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills examinations

3. 100% of students will successfully complete all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).

4. 100% of students will successfully complete all end-of-rotation exams

5. 100% of students will successfully complete the end-of-curriculum exam.

6. 100% of students will complete two 5-week long supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in family medicine (primary care)

7. 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).

8. Graduates will have a first time PANCE rate will be at or above National Average

Actual outcomes:

1. Minimum GPA of 3.0

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 completed the PA program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

2. Summative exams, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills exams:

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 have completed and demonstrated proficiency on the summative exams, including all OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills exams.

3. SCPEs

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).

4. End-of-Rotation exams

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed all End-of-Rotation exams

5. End-of-Curriculum exam

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 successfully completed the End-of-Curriculum exam>

6. Two 5-week long family medicine SCPEs

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 completed two 5-week long supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in family medicine (primary care).

7. Preceptor Evaluation of Students

• 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 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).

8. PANCE performance

• The first time pass rate for the class of 2022 was 68%
• The first time pass rate for the class of 2023 was 77%

Justification: In accordance with the University Diversity Statement, and the PA program mission and policy on diversity (as defined by the Federal Government: “The term “diversity” means the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of the American people, including underserved communities.”), 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, while providing a focus on underserved communities (as defined by the Federal Government: “The term “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, who have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. 

In the context of the Federal workforce, this term includes individuals who belong to communities of color, such as Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, Native American, Alaska Native and Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and North African persons. It also includes individuals who belong to communities that face discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (LGBTQ+) persons); persons who face discrimination based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions; parents; and caregivers. 

It also includes individuals who belong to communities that face discrimination based on their religion or disability; first-generation professionals or first-generation college students; individuals with limited English proficiency; immigrants; individuals who belong to communities that may face employment barriers based on older age or former incarceration; persons who live in rural areas; veterans and military spouses; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty, discrimination, or inequality. Individuals may belong to more than one underserved community and face intersecting barriers.”)

Outcomes to be measured:

1. 100% of students will successfully complete a 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice I (PHA 601).

2. 100% of students will complete activities and discussions during the SJU Day of Dialogue

3. 100% of students will complete learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum

4. 100% of students will complete a gender affirming care module in Clinical Medicine 2 (PHA 541)

5. 100% of students will complete a mental health first aid module in Clinical Medicine 2 (PHA 541)

6. 100% of students will complete course work focused on underserved and diverse populations by successfully completing the following courses (PHA 601, PHA 602, PHA 603, PHA 605, PHA 606, PHA 544, PHA 547, PHA 655, PHA 654, PHA 656, & PHA 507)

Actual outcomes:

1. 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 have successfully completed the 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice I (PHA 601).

2. 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

3. 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 have completed learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum

4. 100% of students from the class of 2023 have completed learning modules on gender affirming care in PHA 541

5. 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 have completed learning modules on Mental Health First Aid in PHA 541

6. 100% of students from the classes of 2022 and 2023 have completed course work focused on underserved and diverse populations by successfully completing the following courses (PHA 601, PHA 602, PHA 603, PHA 605, PHA 606, PHA 544, PHA 547, PHA 655, PHA 654, PHA 656, & PHA 507)