91探花

Program Goals & Outcomes of the Physician Assistant Program

Program Goals & Outcomes

  1. Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service.
  2. Educate PA students to practice evidence-based, patient-centered health care in medically underserved areas.
  3. Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical and professional competence.
  4. Train PA students to function as members of interprofessional health care teams in any clinical setting.
  5. Prepare PA students to be leaders within their organizations and profession.

The program routinely collects data throughout the program on both our current students and alumni. Our outcomes will be updated annually.

Physician Assistant Practice Program Goal Outcomes

Published August 2024

Goal 1: Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service.

The cohort of 2024 was comprised of 33 members who demonstrated a strong commitment to professional and community service. Upon matriculation, the cohort had an average of 1901 hands-on patient care hours and 546 community service hours. 16% of the cohort derived from rural/underserved areas in Appalachia, and none were Armed Forces members.

The cohort of 2024 was a diverse study body that held undergraduate degrees in majors such as Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, English, Exercise Science, Health Science, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Premedical, Psychology, and Public Health.

The cohort of 2024鈥檚 competitive admission standards upon matriculation were: 

  • Average undergraduate cumulative GPA: 3.67
  • Average undergraduate Math/Science GPA: 3.55 
  • Average scaled Quantitative GRE score: 154 
  • Average scaled Verbal GRE score: 154
  • Average scaled Written GRE score: 4.1


75% of the cohort identified as female. 25% of the cohort identified as male. 80% of the cohort identified as White. 11% of the cohort identified as Asian. 5.55 of the cohort identified as black.  2.7% of the cohort identified as Hispanic.

While in the program, the Cohort of 2024鈥檚 commitment to professional service was achieved with 100% participation in the American Association of PAs (AAPA), Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA), and PA Student Society of 91探花 (PASSOU).

In addition to holding professional memberships during the program, the Cohort of 2024 exceeded the program's minimum expectation of 100 community service hours by completing over 579 hours during the didactic and clinical years.
 

Goal 2: Educate PA students to e铿ectively practice evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare in medically underserved areas.

OHIO University鈥檚 Department of Physician Assistant Practice is committed to educating PA students who will effectively practice life-long, evidence-based, patient-centered health in medically underserved areas.

For the 2023-2024 clinical year, 100% of students (33/33) completed at least one rotation in a medically underserved area. According to the Exit Survey taken by the Cohort of 2024, 88% of graduates reported that the curriculum prepared them to provide patient-centered healthcare to patients in medically underserved populations.

Furthermore, 93% of graduates reported on the Exit Survey that they are competent in

evaluating and applying evidence-based medical literature to practice.

Preceptor evaluations of students during the 2023-2024 clinical year revealed that 93% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that students could critically evaluate medical literature, policies, and trends to improve or enhance patient care. Additionally, 96% of Clinical Preceptors thought that students in the 2024 cohort could effectively adapt communication and care for diverse patient populations; and almost 100% of Clinical Preceptors believed that the students were successful in relating to their patients.

Goal 3: Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence.

OHIO鈥檚 Department of Physician Assistant Practice strived to develop students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence.

Regarding behaviors that pertained to ethical and professional practices such as, but not limited to ethical/moral behavior in clinical practice, cultural competence/awareness, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and regulations regarding medical practice, the Class of 2024 achieved an average score of 4.76 out of 5 on the Likert Scale as reported on the Exit Survey.

According to the Clinical preceptors for the 2023-2024 clinical year, almost 100% reported that the Cohort of 2024 demonstrated professionalism in all interactions with patients, the healthcare team, caregivers, etc. In addition, when assessed on confidentiality, adaptability, professionalism, self-con铿乨ence, reliability, and dependability, relating to colleagues and to patients, the Cohort of 2024 earned an average score of 4.73 out of 5 on a Likert Scale.

The program expects 100% of students to demonstrate professional growth throughout the program. Professionalism and professional behaviors are evaluated by the program鈥檚 clinical course directors throughout the clinical year and each student achieves a rating of competent or higher throughout the clinical year which meets the program鈥檚 benchmark. (Professional competency scale includes the rating of beginner, advanced beginner, competent, pro铿乧ient, and expert).

Furthermore, all students are required to complete a professional SWOT analysis at the start of the program, before the clinical year, and before graduation. The program data analysis for professional development reveals that all graduates of the 2024 cohort demonstrated professional growth throughout the program, which meets the program benchmark.
 

Goal 4: Train PA students to function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams in primary care settings.

OHIO鈥檚 PA program curriculum trains PA students to function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams focused on primary care settings. Results from the Exit Survey show that the Class of 2024 is con铿乨ent in their communication skills (4.5 out of 5 on the Likert Scale) and can demonstrate analytical capabilities (medical history taking, physical exam skills, clinical skills, clinical decision making, developing a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic testing) in clinical practice (4.45 out of 5), both of which meet the benchmarks.

The 2023-2024 Clinical Preceptors evaluated the Cohort of 2024 on their ability to relate to patients and colleagues and communicate with others on the healthcare team. Almost 100% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that the students in the 2024 Cohort could relate to colleagues and patients and also 100% of Clinical Preceptors positively commented on the students鈥 ability to effectively communicate with members of the healthcare team.
 

Goal 5: Prepare PA students to assume leadership roles within their organizations and profession.

OHIO鈥檚 PA program is committed to preparing PA students to assume leadership roles within their organizations and the PA profession. Our faculty and students demonstrate their leadership by holding positions and memberships in the following organizations:

National Organizations:

American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
  • Distinguished Fellow, Fellow members
American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP)
  • Member
American College of Physicians (ACP)
  • Member
Military O铿僣ers Association of America (MOAA)
  • Member
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
  • Member
American Public Health Association (APHA)
  • Member
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
  • Members; Government Relations Steering Committee Member

State Organizations:

Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)

  • Members; Past Presidents; AAPA House of Delegates Representative; Governmental A铿airs Committee Member; Conference Speakers

Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA)

  • Member

Ohio Public Health Association (OPHA)

  • Member

Graduates and Students:

PA Student Society of 91探花 (PASSOU)
  • Board members, Members
Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
  • Student members
American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
  • Student members

Furthermore, the Exit Survey reveals most of the cohort is prepared to assume a leadership role upon graduation (4.42/5 on a 5-point Likert scale) which  meets the benchmark of 3.5 or higher.