PROGRAM GOALS FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

 1.  To maintain accreditation with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

  1. Measurement Tool and Benchmark: ARC-PA Correspondence granting accreditation status.
  2. Data: The Mount St. Joseph University Physician Assistant program received correspondence on July 14, 2020 stating:

 

The Mount St. Joseph University Physician Assistant Program was previously granted Accreditation-Provisional status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (“ARC-PA” or the “commission”).  After review at the June 2020 commission meeting, the program’s accreditation status remains Accreditation-Provisional.  This decision is based on the review of the program application and all appendices submitted to the ARC-PA, the report of the site visit team, the program’s response to the site visit team’s observations and the program’s accreditation history.  

 

 

2.  To attract and graduate students who exemplify the program’s mission and vision.

  1. Measurement Tool and Benchmark: Survey of Interviewed Applicants will report Mission & Vision as an important attraction to the PA program.  The Graduate Exit Survey will demonstrate graduates are committed to lifelong learning and ethical behavior. Benchmark is equal or greater than 80%. 
  2. Data: The most recent survey data of applicants demonstrates that 91.3% of respondents chose Mission and Vision as a top choice for selecting the MSJ PA Program.  Data from the initial graduate exit survey demonstrates 100% agreement that their professional practice will be grounded in lifelong learning.   

 

 

3.  To prepare students who demonstrate mastery of the physician assistant curriculum outlined in the PANCE blueprint and the Competencies of the PA profession to include:

  • Medical Knowledge
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • Patient Care
  • Professionalism
  • Practice-based Learning & Improvement
  • System Based Practice

  1. Measurement Tool and Benchmark: Preceptor completed evaluation of student performance. Benchmark is an average score of 4.0 on a 5-point Likert scale in each category.  

  2.  Data: The Class of 2020 evaluations over the entire clinical phase demonstrates 100% of average preceptor scores were greater than 4.0.  Specific performance scores include:

  • 4.4 - Medical Knowledge
  • 4.6 -  Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • 4.3 -  Patient Care
  • 4.7 -  Professionalism
  • 4.5 -  Practice-based Learning & Improvement
  • 4.5 -  System Based Practice

 

 

4.  To attain a first time PANCE pass rate equal to or greater than the national average.

  1. Measurement Tool and Benchmark: First time NCCPA PANCE pass rate

  2. Data: The first time pass rate for the inaugural cohort that graduated in May 2020 is below the 5-year average PANCE pass rate of 96%.  The NCCPA will release final scores, and this year’s pass rate for first time test takers after December 31, 2020, which will allow comparison of the program pass rate with the national average.   

 

 

5.  To provide students the essential skills to obtain employment within six months of successful passage of the PANCE.

  1. Measurement Tool and Benchmark: Program Graduate survey; 85% of graduates will be working as a Physician Assistant.
  2. Data: The first graduate survey is planned for December 2020.

 

 

Upon completion of an entire cohort cycle, the program will provide documentation of success in meeting these goals. The data and analysis will be located here and updated each September following the program’s August retreat.