Regarding: Abilities and skills required of a candidate for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
A candidate for the MPAS degree as a Physician Assistant shall have abilities and skills in the areas of observation, communication, motor function, conceptual and analytical thinking, and normative behavioral and social attributes. Technological accommodations can be made for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but the role of the Physician Assistant in the delivery of health care necessitates that he/she shall be able to perform in an independent manner.
- Observation: The candidate shall be able to observe demonstrations in the basic sciences. A candidate shall be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision and touch which are enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.
- Communication: A candidate shall be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication. A candidate shall be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech, but reading and writing. Candidates shall be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with members of the health care team.
- Motor function: Candidates shall have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by auscultation, percussion, palpation, and other diagnostic maneuvers. A candidate shall be able to perform basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, phlebotomy, etc.), carry out procedures (intubation, pelvic exams, etc.), and read EKGs and X-rays. A candidate shall be able to execute motor movements required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment required of PAs are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medications, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, suturing wounds, and the performance of obstetrical and surgical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
- Conceptual and analytical thought: These abilities include being able to perceive all manner of sensory stimuli, including verbal, written, visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory. The candidate must be able to synthesize and integrate the aforementioned sensory inputs and apply them to patient care through objective and subjective examinations in a timely manner with stressful distracters consistent with the medical environment.
- Behavioral and social attributes: A candidate shall possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients. Candidates shall be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. If a candidate has any spiritual, ethical, personal, or constitutional objection to physical contact with any gender identity or expression, such objection may not interfere with the candidate鈥檚 ability to perform full physical examinations of patients, which is necessary to fulfill the requirements of clinical competence and graduation. Students will also be required to practice and perfect physical examination skills on each other (with the exception of examinations of the genitalia). Candidates shall be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties in the clinical problems of many patients. Because disease recognizes no holiday or day of the week, candidates must be willing to perform in the clinical setting as required by their designated preceptor. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are assessed during the education process.
COMPETENCIES OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY PA PROGRAM GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED TO DEMONSTRATE
The Oklahoma City University PA Program competencies are based on the established model of the PA profession developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). Students attain these competencies as they successfully progress through the curriculum, meeting the program鈥檚 learning objectives and outcomes as defined in course syllabi. The learning objectives and outcomes provide a foundation for meeting these program competencies and goals. Upon completion of this program, graduates should be able to do the following:
- Apply core knowledge of established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences to the practice of medicine
- Demonstrate critical problem-solving skills and analytical thinking in patient care
- Understand and apply the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic evaluation, and treatments of common disease processes to the clinical scenario
- Recognize and perform the appropriate history and physical examination based on the patient presentation
- Formulate an appropriate diagnostic evaluation based on the patient鈥檚 history and physical examination
- Synthesize a differential diagnosis from patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic data
- Evaluate the indications, contraindications, side effects, and adverse reactions of various diagnostic and treatment modalities for common medical and surgical conditions
- Identify and apply concepts of evidence-based medicine, disease prevention, screening modalities, and health promotion/maintenance to the practice of medicine
- Use effective listening, verbal, non-verbal, and writing skills to elicit and record patient information and provide education and counseling in the practice of medicine
- Adapt communication style and messages to the context of the individual patient interaction
- Demonstrate accurate and appropriate documentation of the patient interaction for medical, legal, and financial purposes
- Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as a member or leader of an interdisciplinary health care team
- Effectively exchange information with patients, families, other health providers, and the healthcare system
- Provide age-appropriate assessment and management of common health conditions across the lifespan
- Demonstrate respectful, compassionate, and appropriate patient-centered care to patients with emergent, acute, and chronic medical conditions in the inpatient and outpatient settings
- Implement appropriate education and counseling for patients and their families
- Implement appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and informed clinical judgment
- Competently perform medical and surgical procedures essential to the practice setting
- Identify the appropriate site of care for presenting conditions, including emergent conditions and those requiring referral or admission
- Understand the role of a physician assistant and adhere to its legal and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility, and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety
- Practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, or mental illness
- Maintain intellectual honesty and appropriate academic and professional conduct
- Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity in interactions with healthcare providers, patients, and families
- Demonstrate accountability to patients, the program, society, and the profession
- Commitment to excellence, ongoing learning, and professional development
- Assess, analyze, and modify one鈥檚 own patient care practices
- Analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using a systematic methodology in concert with other members of the health care delivery team
- Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies
- Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies for the care of one鈥檚 own patient practices
- Utilize information technology to access online medical information, manage patient information, and support patient care decisions
- Demonstrate an awareness of and a responsiveness to the larger system of healthcare for the provision of optimal patient care
- Effectively interact with different types of medical practices and delivery systems
- Understand the funding sources and payment systems that provide coverage for patient care
- Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise the quality of care
- Partner with other health care professionals to assess, coordinate, and improve the delivery and effectiveness of health care and patient outcomes
- Promote a safe environment for patient care and recognize and correct systems-based factors that negatively impact patient care
- Apply the concepts of population health to patient care
Location in the curriculum where Functions and Tasks are taught
All five Functions are covered at one or more times during the didactic phase. Tasks associated with professionalism, while mostly innate, will be presented in lecture and discussion formats in Introduction to the Profession and Medical Humanities and Professionalism concentrations. Students will also be presented and habituated to professionalism in the clinical arena through the processes of observation and feedback. Tasks related to Medical Knowledge and Patient Care are presented in each of the clinical medicine courses. Communication is the focus of the Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Reasoning and Intervention concentrations. Finally, the sum of courses in the didactic phase contributes to the Function and Tasks of Entering Clinical Practice.
During the clinical phase, students are required to display or utilize all five Functions under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or PA.
Assurance that Functions and Tasks are Acquired
Confirmation that students meet all Functions and Tasks is accomplished by objective testing throughout the didactic phase and at each end-of-rotation meeting. Students also are evaluated by standardized patients and by direct faculty observations. Direct feedback is provided to each student from the faculty observations and/or from the recorded standardized patient interactions to assure the acquisition of all delineated functions.鈥�
In the clinical phase, student performance is evaluated by preceptors at the mid-point and end of each supervised clinical experience. Finally, students must demonstrate competency by successfully completing summative clinical and objective examinations. Ample opportunities exist in the curriculum for remediation of suboptimal performance.
- Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. Originally adopted 2005; revised 2012. Available at:
