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Program Competencies and Learning Outcomes

Program Competencies

Competencies are summative in nature and defined as “the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice” (ARC-PA, 2020).

1. Medical Knowledge and Patient Care
2. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
3. Clinical and Technical Skills
4. Professional Behaviors
5. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-solving Abilities

Medical Knowledge and Patient Care

Medical knowledge includes the synthesis of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion, and disease prevention. Physician associates must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. Patient care includes patient- and setting-specific assessment, evaluation, and management. Physician associates must demonstrate care that is effective, safe, high-quality, and equitable (AAPA, 2012, & PAEA, 2018).

At the conclusion of the program, students will have attained the following competencies:

1.1 Apply knowledge of the basic sciences to patient care.

1.2 Apply medical knowledge to etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic processes, and epidemiology to identify medical conditions encountered in patient care.

1.3 Develop management plans for general medical and surgical conditions, including pharmacologic and other treatment modalities.

1.4 Order, analyze, and interpret the appropriate diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses and implement management plans. 

1.5 Maintain ongoing critical evaluation of medical literature for current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care.

1.6 Apply the appropriate screening methods for disease prevention and health promotion/maintenance.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills encompass the verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic exchange of information. Physician associates must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the healthcare system (AAPA, 2012).

At the conclusion of the program, students will have attained the following competencies:

2.1 Collaborate and communicate effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals as part of a healthcare team to provide patient-centered care.

2.2 Communicate and interact appropriately with healthcare team members, patients, families, peers, staff, and the public.

2.3 Apply empathetic listening, demonstrate compassion, and establish rapport when dealing with patients, patients’ families, and/or caregivers.

2.4 Counsel and educate patients and their families to develop a therapeutic relationship and convey medical treatment plans.

2.5 Demonstrate emotional resilience and flexibility to adapt communication style to different interactions.

Clinical and Technical Skills

Physician associates must have the knowledge and skills to function in various clinical situations and render a broad spectrum of patient care. PAs must maintain intellectual ability and emotional stability, particularly when under stress. Physical and mental stamina are imperative for a PA to provide quality patient care.

At the conclusion of the program, students will have attained the following competencies:

3.1 Obtain an accurate patient history and perform appropriate physical examinations in patients across the lifespan.

3.2 Synthesize history and physical exam findings with diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses.

3.3 Perform diagnostic, therapeutic, medical, and surgical procedures safely and competently.

3.4 Demonstrate adherence to standards of care.

3.5 Promote a safe environment for patient care that integrates risk management and the prevention of medical errors or the spread of infection.

3.6 Use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education.

Professional Behaviors

Professional characteristics include acting with integrity, being competent, behaving responsibly, and expressing positive values and ideals as patient care is delivered. Physician associates should be altruistic and self-aware of their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements (AAPA, 2012).  

At the conclusion of the program, students will have attained the following competencies:

4.1 Adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards while responding to diverse patient populations.

4.2 Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning of continual medical education and professional development.

4.3 Understand the legal and regulatory requirements of the PA profession and the PA role.

4.4 Maintain and respect confidentiality of patient information, informed patient consent, and business practices.

4.5 Recognize and appropriately address personal biases, gaps in medical knowledge, and mental and physical limitations in self and others.

4.6 Respect patients' autonomy while maintaining accountability and demonstrating beneficence and non-maleficence.

4.7 Document accurate and adequate information regarding patient care for medical, legal, quality assurance, and financial purposes.

4.8 Exercise cultural humility.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-solving Abilities

Problem-solving and diagnosis are critical skills demanded of physician associates and require the intellectual skills and abilities of measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Physician associates must critically analyze and bring an investigative mind to clinical situations.

At the conclusion of the program, students will have attained the following competencies:

5.1 Understand logical connections and engage in reflective and independent thinking, demonstrating problem-solving in clinical practice.

5.2 Make decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and informed clinical judgment.  

5.3 Demonstrate critical thinking when synthesizing patient information to develop reasonable judgments for patient care and management.

5.4 Analyze one’s own strengths and weaknesses in the approach to patient care.

5.5 Be able to work autonomously while realizing the necessity at times for consultation or referral.

Adapted from Competencies (AAPA, 2012; ARC-PA, 2020; & PAEA, 2018)

Program Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are defined as “the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities that have been attained by the student at the completion of a curricular component, course, or program” (ARC-PA, 2020).

Our program learning outcomes are as follows:

1. Competently address a patient’s chief complaint by eliciting an accurate patient history and conducting an appropriate physical exam. (Competency 1: Medical Knowledge and Patient Care; Competency 3: Clinical and Technical skills; Competency 5: Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities)
2. Develop a differential diagnosis for medical and behavioral problems seen in a primary care setting based on fundamental knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences. (Competency 1: Medical Knowledge and Patient Care; Competency 3: Clinical and Technical skills; Competency 5: Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities)
3. Apply critical-thinking principles to patient care using current medical literature and evidence-based medicine to order and interpret the proper diagnostic studies and recommend treatments. (Competency 3: Clinical and Technical skills; Competency 5: Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities)
4. Implement health maintenance and disease prevention screening and counseling to patients across the lifespan. (Competency 1: Medical Knowledge and Patient Care; Competency 2: Interpersonal and Communication Skills)
5. As a collaborative member of the healthcare team, accurately and concisely communicate in both oral and written forms patient encounters and their outcomes. (Competency 2: Interpersonal and Communication Skills)
6. Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, families and caregivers while considering a patient’s emotional state, culture, and/or socioeconomic background for shared medical decision-making. (Competency 2: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Competency 4: Professional behaviors)
7. Develop, implement, and monitor management plans for patients across the life span and in various health care delivery settings with emergent, acute, chronic, and ongoing conditions. (Competency 1: Medical Knowledge and Patient Care, Competency 3: Clinical and Technical skills; Competency 5: Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities)
8. Perform clinical and medical interventions as necessary to include diagnostic procedures, surgery, counseling, therapeutic procedures, and rehabilitative therapies. Obtain informed consent for such tests and/or procedures as needed. (Competency 3: Clinical and Technical skills, Competency 4: Professional behaviors; Competency 5: Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities)
9. Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the highest ethical and legal standards. (Competency 4: Professional behaviors)

References

AAPA. (2012). Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. Adopted by ARC-PA, NCCPA, and PAEA.

ARC-PA. (2020 November). Syllabi, Program Competencies, Learning Outcomes & Instructional Objectives, Standards 5^th edition: A guide for PA program faculty.

PAEA. (2018 September). Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates.