Program goals & outcomes
- Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service.
- Educate PA students to practice evidence-based, patient-centered health care in medically underserved areas.
- Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical and professional competence.
- Train PA students to function as members of interprofessional health care teams in any clinical setting.
- 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 June 2023 | Review our Program outcomes as a PDF
Goal 1: Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service.
The cohort of 2023 was comprised of 35 members that demonstrated a strong commitment to professional and community service. Upon matriculation, the cohort had an average of 2,173 hands-on patient care hours and 469 community service hours. 17% of the cohort derived from rural/underserved areas in Appalachia, and none were Armed Forces members.
The cohort of 2023 was a diverse study body that held undergraduate degrees in majors such as Athletic training, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Health, Exercise Training, Kinesiology, Health Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Premedical, and Public Health.
The cohort of 2023’s competitive admission standards upon matriculation were:
- Average undergraduate cumulative GPA: 3.69
- Average undergraduate Math/Science GPA: 3.62
- Average scaled Quantitative GRE score: 154
- Average scaled Verbal GRE score: 153
- Average scaled Written GRE score: 4.2
75% of the cohort identified as female. 25% of the cohort identified as male. 80% of the cohort identified as White. 17.14% of the cohort identified as Asian. 2.8% of the cohort identified as Hispanic.
While in the program, the Cohort of 2023’s 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 Ohio University (PASSOU).
In addition to holding professional memberships during the program, the Cohort of 2023 exceeded the program's minimum expectation of 100 community service hours by completing over 794.5 hours during the didactic and clinical years.
Goal 2: Educate PA students to effectively practice evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare in medically underserved areas.
OHIO University’s Division 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 2022-2023 clinical year, 100% of students (35/35) completed at least one rotation in a medically underserved area. According to the Exit Survey taken by the Cohort of 2023, 85% 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 2022-2023 clinical year revealed that over 80% of students demonstrated the ability to critically evaluate medical literature, policies, and trends to improve or enhance patient care. Additionally, over 88% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that students in the 2023 cohort could effectively adapt communication and care for diverse patient populations; and over 97% of Clinical Preceptors believed that the students were successful with relating to their patients.
Goal 3: Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence.
OHIO’s Division of Physician Assistant Practice strived to develop students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence.
Regarding behaviors that pertained to ethical and professional practice such as, but not limited to ethical/moral behavior in clinical practice, culture competence/awareness, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and regulations regarding medical practice, the Class of 2023 achieved an average score of 4.63 out of 5 on the Likert Scale as reported on the Exit Survey.
According to the Clinical preceptors for the 2022-2023 clinical year, almost 100% reported that the Cohort of 2023 demonstrated professionalism in all interactions with patients, the healthcare team, caregivers, etc. In addition, when assessed on confidentiality, adaptability, professionalism, self-confidence, reliability, and dependability, relating to colleagues and to patients, the Cohort of 2023 earned an average score of 4.69 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’s clinical course directors throughout the clinical year and each student achieved a rating of competent or higher throughout the clinical year which meets the program’s benchmark. (Professional competency scale includes the ratings of beginner, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert).
Furthermore, all students are required to complete a professional SWOT analysis at the start of the program, before the clinical year, and prior to graduation. The analysis of the qualitative data reveals that all students in the 2023 cohort met their professional goals and 80% of the cohort demonstrated excellent professional development, which meets the program benchmark.
Goal 4: Train PA students to function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams in primary care settings.
OHIO’s 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 Cohort of 2023 is confident in their communication skills (4.47 out of 5 on the Likert Scale) and can demonstrate analytical capabilities in clinical practice (4.42 out of 5), both of which meet the benchmarks.
The 2022-2023 Clinical Preceptors evaluated the Cohort of 2023 on their ability to relate to patients and colleagues and communicate with others on the healthcare team. 97% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that the students in the 2023 Cohort could relate to colleagues and patients and 91% of Clinical Preceptors positively commented on the students’ 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’s PA program is committed to preparing PA students to assume leadership roles within their organizations and 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 Officers 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
StateOrganizations:
Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
- Members; Past Presidents; AAPA House of Delegates Representative; Governmental Affairs Committee Member; Conference Speakers
Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA)
- Member
Ohio Public Health Association (OPHA)
- Member
Graduates and Students:
PA Student Society of Ohio University (PASSOU)
- Board members, Members
Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
- Student members
American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
- Student members
Furthermore, the Exit Survey reveals the majority of the cohort is prepared to assume a leadership role upon graduation (4.68/5 on a 5-point Likert scale).