MISSION STATEMENT

To provide students with a primary care based foundation of knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking and moral values to become competent and cost-effective healthcare providers.

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Identify for admission those students with the academic background, interpersonal skills, and maturity necessary to complete the training in the PA Program.
   • For the class of 2013 our average overall GPA was 3.66.
   • The average Science GPA was 3.54.
   • On the admission interview our class had an average score of 8.4 on a 10 point scale for interpersonal skills and maturity.
2. Maintain accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
   • ARC-PA accreditation is ongoing process for the department and faculty of the program. Our Program received continuing accreditation from the ARC-PA until 2017.
3. Develop and maintain a comprehensive didactic and clinical curriculum that will prepare students to successfully complete board certification and become competent health care providers.
   • Board pass rate for the class of 2013 was 98%.
   • The average summative exam score give just prior to graduation of the class of 2013 was 87%.
   • The average score on preceptor evaluations for basic medical knowledge for the clinical rotations was 9.2 on a 10 point scale.
4. Promote an interdisciplinary approach to medicine which utilizes effective oral and written communication between members of the healthcare team and the patient.
   • 100% of our class participated in the 2013 Northeast and Central Pennsylvania Interprofessional Education Coalition (NECPA IPEC) Summit.
   • The average grade for the module Medical Interviewing and Documentation was a 91% for the class of 2013.
   • The clinical rotation preceptor evaluations showed the following average scores for the class of 2013:
     • Handled relationships and comminations with other students and staff appropriately and professionally- 9.7 on a 10 point scale.
     • Partnered with the preceptor, health care managers, and other health care professionals to assess, coordinate, and improve the delivery of health care and patient outcomes-9.6 on a 10 point scale.
     • Effectively educated patients/families about their condition, treatment, and required follow up-9.3 on a 10 point scale.
     • Consistently presented cases orally in a complete, accurate and organized manner-9.4 on a 10 point scale.
     • Consistently dictated and/or wrote complete and organized admission and discharge summaries- 9.5 on a 10 point scale.
     • Consistently documented data in the proper format in an organized and timely manner that is concise, legible and complete-9.5 on a 10 point scale.
     • Consistently educated the patient regarding his or her personal behaviors that could predispose him or her to illness-9.4 on a 10 point scale.
5. Promote a comprehensive approach to health and disease by emphasizing primary care, health maintenance, and disease prevention
   • 100% of our modules are taught from a primary care perspective.
   • 100% of the students do a 12 week primary care preceptorship.
   • 100% of students complete a graded Preventative Care Plan with an average grade of 85%.
   • The average preceptor evaluation score for clinical rotations for the class of 2013 for preventive care was 9.4 on a 10 point scale.
6. Promote life-long learning in students and graduates and foster education between providers, students, and patients.
   • The 2013 IPE Summit educated students from various health care professions in the area to learn about, from and with one another. 100% of our students participated in this Summit.
   • Patient education is discussed in modules during treatment plan formulation.
   • Preceptor evaluations measured the student’s ability to provide patient education. Preceptors’ evaluation scores revealed that this class had the following averages:
     • Effectively educated patients/families about their condition, treatment, and required follow up-9.3 on a 10 point scale.
     • Consistently educated the patient regarding his or her personal behaviors that could predispose him or her to illness-9.4 on a 10 point scale.
   • 100% of students take a module on PA Practices and Health Care Policies where information on CME requirements, PANCE/PANRE strategies, and interaction among health care professionals is presented. The average grade for the Health Policies Module was 90%.
7. Promote information literacy and technological competency to be effective healthcare providers.
   • 100% of the students complete a Master’s Research project using these skills. The average Master Project grade was 97%.
   • 100% of the students take a Research Methods module. The average grade for this module was 92%.
   • 100% of the students take online exams through Exam Master, and use Typhon to log patient encounters.
   • 100% of students participate in a prescription writing seminar to learn how to use Epocrates online and continue to use this throughout clinical rotations.
   • The students are evaluated on the statement, “consistently expanded his or her medical knowledge with appropriate research materials”. The class of 2013 had a 9.1 average score on a 10 point scale for this statement while on clinical rotations.
8. Promote moral values and ethical behavior as a healthcare provider.
   • 100% of students take an Ethics module. The average grade for the Ethics module was 96% for this class.
   • The preceptor evaluation measures ethical/moral behavior. The average evaluation score for the statement, “Exhibited moral values and behaviors” was 9.8 on a 10 point scale for this class.