PA Profession Success Plan

A HRSA Title VII Grant Funding Project

+ Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed health

professionalswho:

Practice medicine with physician supervision

Exercise independence in medical decision making

Provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services

Perform educational, research, and administrative activities

+Why PA? Why not NP or

MD? Physician satisfaction

Patient satisfaction

Flexibility in practice choice

Increased time for patient care

PA is no longer the “default” choice

+ Job Satisfaction80% of PAs were satisfied with:Amount of responsibility

Support

Job Security

Working hours

Task variety

Salaries

Fringe BenefitsIn comparison, PAs were more satisfied than other health

professionals including physicians and nurse practitioners

Public Health Rep 1995 110(6);714-719

+Practice Choice Flexibility

Certification is in Primary Medicine

Recertification every 6 years in Primary Medicine ensures the ability of a PA to continue to practice in a variety of practice settings

Certification specific to a specialty practice is not necessary

PAs can “change” specialties without needing additional formalized education

Post-graduate education is available for those who seek it

Family/GeneralMedicine24.9%

Obstetrics/Gynecology2.4%

Pediatrics &Pediatric Subspecialties4.0%

Internal Medicine& IM Subspecialties18.2%

Surgery & Surgical Subspecialties24.9%

EmergencyMedicine10.3%

Other -- 15.3%

PAs by Specialty

Source: AAPA, 2007 Census

www.aapa.org

+PAs Practice Medicine

Perform physical exams and take patient histories

Diagnose and treat illnesses

Order and interpret laboratory tests

Assist in surgery, work in ER, nursing homes

Write prescriptions

Provide patient education and counseling

+Wisconsin’s Rural and

Underserved Population Situation

Current shortage of primary care physicians in rural and inner-city Wisconsin

By 2015 an additional 13.5% shortage for primary care practitioners in these same areas

The population of WI is projected to increase 8.5%, worsening the clinician:patient shortfall

American Hospital Association Taskforce on Physician Shortage

+ UW-Madison PA Program’s response to Wisconsin’s situation Recruit, successfully enroll, and retain students from

rural, underserved and disadvantaged populations, who demonstrate interest and promise to provide healthcare to these populations upon program completion

Train students for practice in rural, underserved and disadvantaged environments

Place graduates into these underserved areas via community partnership and commitment.

 

 

+Past application barriers:

Admissions processes sometimes inadvertently create hurdles for students of rural or underrepresented origin

GPA does not always accurately reflect a student’s abilities

Heavy academic load of the curriculum may impedes a student’s success

Student confidence is sometimes lacking and is a marker of success

+

UW-Madison PA Program Solution:

The PA Profession Success Plan

Formalizing what we do with all students

+Components of the

PA Profession Success PlanRecruitment of promising students from Wisconsin

A Pre-entry program for promising students who do not gain admission on first attempt

A mentoring program pairing potential enrollees with a mentor to strengthen application materials

Flexible training options to allow students to remain in their community during the program

Resources: before admission and after enrolled

+Recruitment

Universities, community and technical colleges, Wisconsin schools

Health care occupations counselors /advisors

Community Practice Advisory Council (CPAC) recommendations

Ideal candidates are identified and referred to UW PA Program faculty

Candidates guaranteed interview during the admissions process

+Candidate Identification

From rural or urban underserved areas

Have aptitude for the health sciences

Interested in returning to their home community after completion of the program

Of minority status; or disadvantaged: economically or educationally

+Essential demonstrated

student attributes

Interest in healthcare

Motivation to succeed

Humility

Integrity

Educational promise

+Pre-Entry Program

Re-Applicants Applicants may be advised to:

Retake specific coursework

Take new coursework

Acquire additional patient experience

Shadow PAs in the clinical field

Improve their application/interview by other means

+Mentoring Program

Students identified will be paired with: Community mentor PA Program mentor PA student/alumni mentor

Mentors will: Provide advisement and support

throughout the admission process and enrollment

+Flexible Training Options

Campus-based learning option

- A 24 month full-time academic program

Community-based (distance education) learning option

- A 36 month part-time academic program allowing student to stay in their home community during much of the educational period

+Resource Guidance

Guidance to resources both on-campus and within their home communities

Students complete a self-inventory of needs

Based on this self-assessment, students are provided resources to help meet those needs

+ Academic Prerequisites

Zoology or Mammalian Biology w/ lab     Anatomy and Physiology Biomolecular Chemistry or Human Biochemistry General Chemistry Microbiology Psychology Statistics   

B.S. degree required; all prerequisite coursework must

be accomplished with a grade of “C” or better

+Basic Admissions Criteria

Academic Performance

Healthcare Experience

Community Service

References

Interviews

+Working together in

maximizing student success

Please identify promising candidates

Continue encouragement and support

Recommend these individuals to us

Serve as a mentor to promising candidates

Program Website: www.physicianassistant.wisc.edu

Thank you!