Physician Assistant Studies: Program Mission, Goals, and Competencies

Program Mission

The mission of the NSU PA program is to produce qualified, compassionate and competent physician assistants for medically underserved populations of northeastern Oklahoma and the surrounding region. Although the NSU PA program endeavors to care for all underserved Oklahomans, populations that have historically been the focus of our mission include American Indians, as well as rural and Black communities in Oklahoma.

Program Goals

The goals of NSU's Physician Assistant Studies Program are as follows:

1. Provide students the knowledge, skills and competencies required for entry-level clinical practice.
   • This goal will be met by maintaining PANCE pass rates above or consistent with national averages and achieving 100% initial employment of NSU PA graduates.
   • As of April 2024, the program's first time pass rate on the physician assistant national certifying exam is an average of 82% between our first two cohorts (2022 = 75%, 2023 = 89%). Our program's overall first time pass rate is similar to other programs at our stage of accreditation. As of July 2024, 100% of our students have ultimately gone on to pass the PANCE.
   • As of July 2024, 100% of the cohort of 2022 are currently employed as physician assistants. The program is pleased to see so many of the graduates of our inaugural cohort are working as physician assistants. Results for the cohort of 2023 will be published a year after graduation.
2. Provide students with exposure to diverse patient populations with an emphasis on underserved patients.
   • This goal will be met when the program maintains 50% or more of the program’s clinical rotation sites among underserved patient communities (American Indian, rural, veteran and Black communities). 
   • Our program maintains a high number of quality clinical rotation sites. As of April 2024, approximately 72% of our current rotation sites provide care for Oklahoma's underserved patient communities.
3. Empower graduates to provide healthcare to the underserved communities of Oklahoma.
   • This goal will be met if 25% or more of each cohort is employed working for underserved populations in Oklahoma within the first year after graduation.
   • As of April 2024, 50% of our 2022 cohort are currently working as physician assistants for Oklahoma's underserved populations. To date, 25% of our 2023 cohort are providing care for Oklahoma's underserved populations.

Competencies

At the time of successful completion of all elements of the curriculum of the NSU PA Program, and when the degree of Master of Physician Assistant Studies is conferred by the university, graduates will be able to accomplish the following:

1. Medical Knowledge (MK): Physician assistants are expected to understand, evaluate, and apply the following in the clinical setting:
   • MK1: Etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic process, and epidemiology for medical conditions
   • MK2: Signs and symptoms of medical and surgical conditions
   • MK3: Appropriate screening and diagnostic studies
   • MK4: Interventions for prevention of disease and health promotion/maintenance
2. Interpersonal Skills (IP): Physician assistants are expected to:
   • IP1: Use effective communication skills to elicit and provide accurate information 
   • IP2: Demonstrate compassionate and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families
   • IP3: Counsel and educate patients and their families
   • IP4: Work effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centered care
3. Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS): Physician assistants are expected to:
   • CTS1: Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes
   • CTS2: Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies to support patient care decisions and patient education
   • CTS3: Perform an appropriate medical history and physical exam
   • CTS4: Perform medical and surgical procedures essential to the specialty
4. Professional Behaviors (PB): Physician assistants are expected to:
   • PB1: Recognize and appropriately address personal biases, gaps in medical knowledge, and physical limitations in themselves and others
   • PB2: Effectively interact with different types of medical practice and delivery systems
   • PB3: Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities that contribute to health care disparities regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, intellect, sexual orientation, or ability to pay
   • PB4: Demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility, and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety
   • PB5: Engage in commitment to ethical principles
5. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities (CRPSA): Physician assistants are expected to:
   • CRPSA1: Interpret history and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses and implement patient management plans
   • CRPSA2: Manage general medical and surgical conditions to include pharmacologic and other treatment modalities
   • CRPSA3: Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical literature and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness
   • CRPSA4: Apply the concepts of population health to patient care