- Academics
- Physician Assistant Studies – MS-PAS
- Mission, Vision and Values
- Diversity Statement
- Program Goals and Learning Outcomes
- Accreditation
- Admissions
- MS-PAS Information Sessions
- Technical Standards
- Facilities
- Program Description and Curriculum
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Policies and Attrition Data
- Faculty and Staff
- NCCPA PANCE Pass Rates
- MS-PAS Handbooks
- Physician Assistant Studies – MS-PAS
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 | Measurement of Success | Outcomes |
---|---|---|
To recruit, retain and successfully graduate highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. | Admissions Data; Graduation Data | Published upon availability |
To deliver an intellectually challenging and creative curriculum through innovative teaching strategies, that facilitates the successful achievement of established learning outcomes and expected competencies. | Annual Curriculum Analysis | Published upon availability |
To adhere to the highest standards of student performance and achievement of the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession resulting in successful entrance into the profession with National Commission of Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) first time pass rates at or above the national average. | NCCPA PANCE; Pass Rate Data | Published upon availability |
To provide opportunities for students to interact with patients from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, which prepares and inspires graduates to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, patient-centered, evidence-based health care in medically underserved communities locally, nationally and globally. | Ongoing programmatic analysis; Graduate surveys; Employer surveys | Published upon availability |
To foster a scholarly setting where students will appropriately conduct critical appraisal of research resulting in improved patient outcomes and effective communication of their findings through medical writing. | Graduate capstone project data; Graduate surveys | Published upon availability |
To afford students opportunities to participate in state and national professional organizations as advocates for the physician assistant profession resulting in continued participation throughout their careers. | Graduate surveys | Published upon availability |
Learning Outcomes & Expected Competencies
The Pfeiffer University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is committed to providing students with a learner-centered educational environment where they will receive the requisite knowledge to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, patient-centered, evidence-based healthcare in an inter-professional healthcare team.
Student success in achieving the program defined learning outcomes and expectations will be evaluated through a variety of assessment tools such as: multiple choice examinations, inter-professional collaborative group projects, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), reflection journals, clinical performance evaluations and a capstone graduate research project.
The Pfeiffer University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program’s defined learning outcomes and expectations are based on the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession as developed jointly by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
Upon completion of the Pfeiffer University Master Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, students will demonstrate entry-level proficiency as physician assistants in the following domains:
The core competencies of Medical Knowledge seek to ensure that the Physician Assistant student continually investigates, questions, and pursues new knowledge.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
MK1 | Demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care | KNWG |
MK2 | Demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations | KNWG |
MK3 | Correlate, integrate and apply the following to common emergent and non-emergent medical, surgical, and behavioral scenarios across the lifespan:
|
KNWG CRP |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)
The Interpersonal and Communication Skills core competencies enables the Physician Assistant student to successfully receive and share information; establishing and maintaining a foundation of trust with all parties so that the environment is open and encouraging for honest dialogue.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
ICS1 | Demonstrate interpersonal and communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic) skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system | IS |
ICS2 | Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes | IS |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)
The core competencies of Patient Care seek to ensure that the Physician Assistant Student develops the ability to actively listen and attain medical histories, diagnose, properly inform and educate, and prescribe and perform necessary procedures in a way that maximizes patient comfort.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
PC1 | Obtain an accurate history and perform a comprehensive physical exam | CTS |
PC2 | Accurately diagnose and formulate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment plans | CRP |
PC3 | Appropriately select and perform medical and surgical procedures common to primary care | CTS CRP |
PC4 | Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance | CTS |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)
The Professionalism core competencies enables the Physician Assistant student to treat all people with respect, compassion, and dignity.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
P1 | Demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements | PFLM |
P2 | Demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse patient population by identifying the socio-cultural, familial, psychological, economic, environmental, and spiritual factors impacting health care and health care delivery; and responding to these factors by planning and advocating the appropriate course of action at both the individual and the community level | PFLM |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)
The core competencies in Practice-Based Learning and Improvement seeks to ensure that the Physician Assistant student becomes a life-long learner, develops the skills necessary to evaluate medical research and its appropriate application to the practice of medicine.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
PBLI1 | Critically appraise the medical literature in order to use current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care | KNWG CRP |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)
The Systems-based Practice core competencies focus on the Physician Assistant student’s ability to effectively perform their role as clinicians in diverse healthcare systems.
Competency | Outcomes Domain |
|
SBP1 | Provide advocacy and support geared to assist patients in obtaining quality care as they navigate the complexities of health care delivery systems | PFLM |
SBP2 | Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that balances quality and cost, while maintaining the primacy of the individual patient | PFLM |
*Key for Outcome Domains: Knowledge (KNWG), Clinical Reasoning Problem Solving (CRP), Interpersonal Skills (IS), Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS), Professionalism (PFLM)