Physician Assistant Studies

Goal #3: To graduate physician assistants who consistently demonstrate professionalism, including exemplary interpersonal and interprofessional collaboration skills.

Rationale :Professionalism is a priority for the Duquesne University PA program. Students demonstrate that they are continuously evaluated on professionalism and interpersonal skills throughout the accredited phase of the program. In addition, faculty, standardized patients, and clinical preceptors assess professional behaviors.

a. Preceptors' Assessment of Cohort Preparedness of Students- Clinical preceptors complete a survey at the end of each clinical year assessing students in the following areas: Professionalism, Reliability, and Dependability, Relating to Colleagues, Relating to Patients

Benchmark: 95% of preceptors agree that their assigned students demonstrate professionalism, reliability and dependability, and relatability to colleagues and patients.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #3:

b. Interprofessional Education Grand Rounds- The IPE Grand Rounds Workshop is an interactive experience that brings students from the Rangos School of Health Sciences, the Mylan School of Pharmacy, the School of Nursing, and the Mary Pappert School of Music together into small groups, interdisciplinary teams to address the healthcare, medical and psychosocial needs of a patient. Students work together to learn more about each profession and formulate a treatment plan for the live simulated patient after hearing the details of the case and their unique needs. The grand rounds occur 3 times a semester, and physician assistant students participate during the didactic phase.

Benchmark: All physician assistant students will participate in the IPE Grand Rounds

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #3:

c. Standardized patient evaluations on Complete History and Complete History and Physical Exam- one component of the grade for this required exercise is that the standardized patients complete a 5- item assessment of each student, which includes an evaluation of their professionalism and verbal communication (and all others). The table below reflects the comprehensive assessment as completed by the simulated/professional patients.

Program Benchmark: 100% of students earn 8 out of 10

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #3

d. Professional and Behavioral Evaluations- Faculty annually evaluate students on personal accountability and responsibility, attendance, professionalism, punctuality, verbal skill/class participation, writing skills, and communication with faculty and staff.

Program Benchmark: All students meet with their designated PA Faculty Advisors at least once a semester to discuss their professional and behavioral evaluations done by PA faculty.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #3:

e. Student Preparedness Survey- This survey is completed by the students at the completion of the program during exit interviews and reflects how well students feel prepared in these areas.

Program Benchmark: 90% or higher of the cohort feels prepared.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #3:

Goal #4: To admit students with exceptional academic credentials while paired with faculty for mentorship.

Rationale:The Duquesne University 5-year, entry-level PA program strives to identify and recruit highly qualified applicants that are likely to excel in both the pre-accredited and accredited phases of the program. To ensure successful graduation for each student, Duquesne University PA Program faculty work diligently to provide students with the instruction and academic support necessary to complete all requirements for graduation.

Outcome Measures:
a. GPA and SAT/ACT scores of admitted students- The Department of Physician Assistant Studies super scores applicants' SAT and ACT scores on the math and verbal components. Beginning in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Program offered a test-optional opportunity for applicants.

Program Benchmark: The GPAs, ACT (if submitted), and SAT scores (if submitted) of the freshmen physician assistant cohort will be 10% above the average of all first year students enrolled at Duquesne University. Data collected on April 2022 demonstrated the average GPA was 3.87, and the average test scores of those submitted were 1218 SAT and 27 ACT.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #4:

b. Graduation rate

Benchmark: Greater than the national average of 93.6% from the PAEA Program Report 35, data from the 2019 Program Survey.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #4:

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from the cohort divided by the entering class size.

**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.
The PA Program works extremely hard to support those students admitted to the program to succeed and graduate. An indicator of this is that over the last five years, greater than 95% of all enrolled students graduated from the program. This compares better than the national average of 92.9% from the PAEA Program Report #34. This demonstrates that the program selects students that will perform well in this educational program.

c. Mentor/Advising of students in years 1-5 - Faculty meet with their designated advisee's at a minimum annually to discuss academics, goals, and reflections on their progress. This way, faculty get to know students and understand their unique needs.

Benchmark: All students meet with their designated PA Faculty Advisors a minimum of once a semester to discuss academic challenges and successes.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #4:

Goal #5: To maintain first-time taker pass rates at or above the national average for the initial certification examination for physician assistants.

Rationale: The program expectation for first-time test takers pass performance on PANCE is 90% or higher. This expectation exceeds the ARC-PA's <85% alert value, which requires mandatory program action. The program also uses the national mean for first-time test takers as a benchmark for student success.

Outcome Measures:
a. Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Five-Year First-Time Taker Summary Report

Program Benchmark: Students will earn a 90% or higher on the initial certification examination for physician assistants.

The report below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #5:

Five-Year First Time Test Taker Summary Report

b. Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Exam Performance Summary Report

Program Benchmark: 100% of students will ultimately pass the initial certification examination for physician assistants.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #5

Exam Performance Summary Report

Goal #6: To prepare graduates to provide care for diverse populations and diverse communities.

Rationale: Consistent with the mission of Duquesne University, Serving God by serving students through profound concern for moral and spiritual values while maintaining an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity, students are exposed to multiple settings and are encouraged to seek out opportunities to care for diverse patient populations while strengthening their values and ethical commitment.

Outcome Measures:
a. Study abroad and Disparities in Healthcare course- These experiences provide unique opportunities for professional growth and development by immersing students in diverse cultures and engaging them in cultural themes of health, illness, and health care by critically reviewing existing social inequalities and cultural perceptions. Students will also appreciate differences in the quality of healthcare delivered to racial/ethnic groups will be explored to explain why health disparities exist in the United States.

Benchmark: PA students will either study abroad for a semester or enroll in the 3-credit Disparities in Healthcare course.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #6:

b. Student Preparedness Survey- This survey is completed by the students at the completion of the program during exit interviews and reflects how well students feel prepared in this area.

Benchmark: 100% of students will feel prepared in maintaining an understanding and respect for the patient's culture and provide inclusive care for all patients.

The table below demonstrates the program's success in meeting this aspect of goal #6: