Program Goals, Competencies, and Learning Outcomes

Program Goals

The program goals of the Pfeiffer University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with respective measurements of success are as follows:

Program Goals	Assessment Method	Benchmarks	Results
To recruit and graduate students from diverse backgrounds.	CASPA Data; Graduation rate for diverse students.	*URM students = 20% of each cohort; **SDB students = 50% of each cohort Graduation rate for *URM and **SDB students = 95% of each cohort	2022 Cohort: URM 13.6%; SDB 63.6% 2022 Cohort Graduates: URM 100%; SDB 85.7%* below BM 2023 Cohort: URM 33.3%; SDB 66.7% 2024 Cohort: URM 20%; SDB 68.9%
To exceed the national average on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) first-time exam taker pass rate.	Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam	PANCE 1st-time exam-takers pass rate National Yearly Average	2022 Cohort = 53%
To foster the application of Evidence-Based Medicine through the critical appraisal of medical literature.	Graduate and Alumni Surveys Completion of Evidence-Based Medicine capstone research project	Aggregate score on Likert Scale >3.5/5 of students who agreed they were prepared in the critical appraisal of medical literature. 100% of graduating students complete the evidence-based medicine (EBM) courses and produce a capstone research project.	2023 cohort: 4.05/5 score on being prepared to critically appraise the medical literature 2024 cohort: 100% of students completed EBM capstone research project
To prepare students to become servant leaders.	Direct Observation Advisor Reviews	>30% of class cohort is involved with leadership roles in the program, community, state, and/or national level. >70% of each cohort with volunteer service activity during the program	2024 Cohort: Leadership roles: 20% * below BM Volunteer service: 80%
Prepare students for practice in rural clinical environments	Graduate and Alumni Surveys Clinical site placements	30% of SCPEs occurring in a rural practice facility. Target: (40% by 2025) Aggregate score on Likert Scale >3.5/5 of students who agreed they were prepared for community based or rural practice.	35.3% of SCPE locations categorized as rural by the Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/am-i-rural Graduate Exit Survey results to be made available after 2024 cohort graduation

Learning Competencies & Learning Outcomes

Competencies:

• Medical Knowledge (MK)
• Interpersonal Skills (IS)
• Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS)
• Professional Behaviors (PB)
• Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities (CRPSA)

LEARNING OUTCOMES	DESCRIPTION	ALIGNED/SUPPORTED COMPETENCY
PLO1	Demonstrate core knowledge of biomedical and clinical sciences across the lifespan.	Medical Knowledge
PLO2	Demonstrate the application of core knowledge of biomedical and clinical sciences to the practice of medicine.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO3	Accurately obtain and document complete and problem-focused medical histories.	Medical Knowledge, Interpersonal Skills, Clinical and Technical Skills
PLO4	Appropriately perform complete and problem-focused physical exams.	Medical Knowledge, Interpersonal Skills, Clinical and Technical Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO5	Appropriately select and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies common to general practice.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO6	Accurately generate differential diagnoses through investigative and critical thinking.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO7	Differentiate preventive, chronic, acute, emergent, and rehabilitative medical encounters and psychiatric/behavioral conditions.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO8	Formulate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment plans for acute and chronic conditions.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO9	Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance.	Interpersonal Skills, Medical Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO10	Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to the provision of care.	Interpersonal Skills, Professional Behaviors
PLO11	Demonstrate sensitivity to a patient’s unique identity which may include age, race, culture, disabilities, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, gender identity, sexual orientation, and social determinants of health.	Interpersonal Skills, Professional Behaviors
PLO12	Demonstrate the ability to appraise the medical literature and apply the principles of evidence-based literature to patient care.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO13	Effectively leverage the team approach in collaboration with members of the interprofessional healthcare team to provide patient-centered care.	Interpersonal Skills, Professional Behaviors
PLO14	Communicate effectively with patients, families, communities, and other healthcare professionals.	Interpersonal Skills, Professional Behaviors
PLO15	Apply understanding of the business of healthcare to individual patient care needs.	Medical Knowledge, Professional Behaviors, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
PLO16	Recognize implicit and systemic biases and social determinants of health that contribute to healthcare disparities.	Interpersonal Skills, Professional Behaviors
PLO17	Perform procedures commonly encountered in professional practice.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills
PLO18	Promote a safe environment for patient care that incorporates prevention of medical errors.	Medical Knowledge, Clinical and Technical Skills, Professional Behaviors