Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- Mission
- Vision
- Goals
- Physician Assistant Studies CORE Competencies
- Program Goals
- Program Goal #1
Mission
The mission of Brenau’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to produce extraordinary physician assistants prepared to collaboratively practice with integrity and compassion in a variety of clinical and cultural settings.
Incorporating the values of liberal arts education throughout their education, our graduates prepare for their careers and professional lives through the college’s four pillars: evidence-based and reflective practice, contemporary scientific inquiry, clinical proficiency, and humanitarian altruism.
Vision
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies, in line with the mission of the Ivester College of Health Sciences, is thoughtful, intentional and strategic as it prepares its graduates to live extraordinary lives. The department will provide a student-centered learning environment, providing opportunities for each student’s individual development as well as the advancement of physician assistant practice and the profession. Our culture will engender excellence, scholarship, altruism, integrity, collaboration and a sense of purpose in each of our students.
Goals
- To provide a student-centered environment that promotes the recruitment, retention and graduation of highly qualified candidates.
- To deliver a student-centered, innovative curriculum that facilitates the successful achievement of established learning outcomes and expected competencies for entry into PA practice.
- To educate Physician Assistant students in a generalist model who will be prepared to practice in a variety of health care settings and disciplines with a solid foundation in behavioral/mental health and clinical experience in rural/medically underserved communities.
- To develop the students’ ability to conduct and effectively communicate a systematic evaluation of clinical research to improve clinical decision making and patient outcomes.
- Promote opportunities for faculty and students to engage in active and on-going professional, scholarly, and community service activities.
Physician Assistant Studies CORE Competencies
NCCPA PANCE Pass Rates and Attrition
The table below is published to provide prospective students with information regarding attrition in the Brenau University Department of PA Studies. This table will be updated as each cohort matriculates and/or graduates.
| GRADUATED CLASSES | |||
| CLASS OF 2024 | CLASS OF 2025 | CLASS OF 2026 | |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Entering class size | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Graduates | 33 | 32 | 32 |
| *Attrition rate | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| **Graduation rate | 100% | 97% | 97% |
|
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class + number joining cohort). **Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining cohort). ARC-PA Student Attrition (PDF) |
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Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Exam Performance Summary Report
| Class | Class Graduation Year | Group | Number of Candidates who took PANCE | Number of Exam Attempts | Number of Exams Passed | Program Exam Pass Rate | National Exam Pass Rate for the Class Graduation Year | % of Candidates Who Ultimately Passed PANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2023 | 2023 | All Takers | 31 | 36 | 31 | 86% | 89% | 100% |
| First Time Takers | 31 | 31 | 27 | 87% | 92% | 100% | ||
| Class of 2024 | 2024 | All Takers | 33 | 37 | 33 | 89% | 89% | 100% |
| First Time Takers | 33 | 33 | 30 | 91% | 92% | 100% | ||
| Class of 2025 | 2025 | All Takers | 32 | 37 | 32 | 91% | 88% | 100% |
| First Time Takers | 32 | 33 | 30 | 94% | 91% | 100% | ||
| Class of 2026 | 2026 | All Takers | 32 | 33 | 32 | 97% | 91% | 100% |
| First Time Takers | 32 | 32 | 31 | 97% | 94% | 100% |
Program Goals
- To provide a student-centered environment that promotes the recruitment, retention and graduation of highly qualified candidates.
- To deliver a student-centered, innovative curriculum that facilitates the successful achievement of established learning outcomes and expected competencies for entry into PA practice.
- To educate Physician Assistant students in a generalist model who will be prepared to practice in a variety of health care settings and disciplines with a solid foundation in behavioral/mental health and clinical experience in rural/medically underserved communities.
- To develop the students’ ability to conduct and effectively communicate a systematic evaluation of clinical research to improve clinical decision making and patient outcomes.
- Promote opportunities for faculty and students to engage in active and on-going professional, scholarly, and community service activities.
Physician Assistant Studies Program Outcomes
| 1. To provide a student-centered environment that promotes the recruitment, retention and graduation of highly qualified candidates. | |
| Conclusion: With four cohorts having graduated to date, the program has been successful in meeting all components of Goal # 1. See the measures of success and supporting data analysis below. | |
| Measure of success: | Data Analysis supporting: |
|
a. End of Didactic Survey results on question related to Goal 1 b. End of Program Survey results on question related to Goal 1 c. Fac & Staff Eval results on question related to Goal 1 |
a. 5-year average of 3.8 on 5-point Likert scale and met benchmark (at least 3.5) every year for the past four years b. Met benchmark for all graduated cohorts to date (average score 4.1) c. Average score of 4.4 over four years and met benchmark every year |
| Attrition rate and graduation rate relative to national averages (PAEA Annual Report) |
Across all graduated cohorts, program attrition is 3%. This corresponds to an average graduation rate of 97%. National averages are 6% (attrition) and 94% (graduation) according to the 36th PAEA program report. |
| 2. To deliver a student-centered, innovative curriculum that facilitates the successful achievement of established learning outcomes and expected competencies for entry into PA practice. | |
| Conclusion: With four cohorts having graduated to date, the program has been successful in meeting all components of Goal # 2. See the measures of success and supporting data analysis below. | |
| Measure of success: | Data Analysis supporting: |
|
a. End of Didactic Survey results on question related to Goal 2 b. End of Program Survey results on question related to Goal 2 c. Graduate Survey results on question related to Goal 2 d. Fac & Staff Eval results on question related to Goal 2 |
a. Average score of 4.1 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) for the last four years b. Average score by graduating students of 4.2 for the past four cohorts and met benchmark all years c. Average score by program graduates of 4.0 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met most years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.5 over last three years and met benchmark for all three years |
| Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness Survey results in response to “overall preparedness compared to other PA students precepted” |
Average score by preceptors of 4.3 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (3.5 or higher) for all years. Preceptors consistently report that our students are very well prepared for the clinical year. Examples: “I don’t know exactly what you’re doing, but these are by far the best students I’ve ever worked with in twenty years of medicine.” “This was my first PA student from this school, but I was very impressed by how prepared she was for her very first clinical rotation.” “Your students are so superior that I will no longer accept students from other institutions!” “It stands out that they are self-directed learners and they consistently demonstrate a high-level of professionalism.” “Brenau students seemed to be better prepared and more engaged and seem to have a better structured program compared to students from other institutions I have had the opportunity to precept.” |
|
Summative evaluation results: a. Class of 2023 b. Class of 2024 c. Class of 2025 d. Class of 2026 |
100% of students within 4 months of graduation successfully demonstrated achievement of all program core competencies. |
|
PANCE Pass Rates for: a. Class of 2023 b. Class of 2024 c. Class of 2025 d. Class of 2026 |
a. 1st time: 87%; Overall: 100% b. 1st time: 91%; overall: 100% c. 1st time: 94%; overall: 100% d. 1st time: 97%; overall: 100% First-time PANCE pass rates have been above national average for the past two years |
| 3. To educate Physician Assistant students in a generalist model who will be prepared to practice in a variety of health care settings and disciplines with a solid foundation in behavioral/mental health and clinical experience in rural/medically underserved communities. | |
| Conclusion: With four cohorts having graduated to date, the program has been successful in meeting all components of Goal # 3. See all measures of success and supporting data analysis below. | |
| Measure of success: | Data Analysis supporting: |
|
Survey responses to the following: “Our program educates in a generalist model with tools to practice in a variety of settings and disciplines” a. End of Didactic Survey b. End of Program Survey c. Graduate Survey d. Fac & Staff Survey |
a. Average score of 4.3 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) for all years b. Average score by graduating students of 4.50 over last four years and met benchmark all years c. Average score by program graduates of 4.2 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met all years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.6 over last four years and met benchmark all years. |
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Survey responses to the following: “Our program provides a solid foundation in behavioral / mental health” a. End of Didactic Survey b. End of Program Survey c. Graduate Survey d. Fac & Staff Survey |
a. Average score by of 3.9 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) for the most recent four years b. Average score by graduating students of 3.8 for last four years and met benchmark all years c. Average score by program graduates of 3.8 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met most years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.5 over last three years and met benchmark for all years |
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Survey responses to the following: “Our program provides clinical experience in rural/medically underserved communities” a. End of Didactic Survey b. End of Program Survey c. Graduate Survey d. Fac & Staff Survey |
a. Average score of 4.32 on 5-point Likert scale over last three years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) all three years b. Average score by graduating students of 4.5 for last four years and met benchmark all years c. Average score by program graduates of 4.3 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met all years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.7 over last three years and met benchmark for all three years |
| PACKRAT 1 (PR1), PACKRAT 2 (PR2) and PANCE (PA) performance in Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine as a percentage of national mean |
Class of 2023: PR1=103.7%; PR2=99.4%; PA=96.3% Class of 2024 PR1=95.2%; PR2=103.9%; PA=94% Class of 2025: PR1=104.4%; PR2=105.2%; PA=102.4% Class of 2026: PR1=97%; PR2=102.5%; PA=102.4% Class of 2027: PR1=110% |
| Cohort average score on the PAEA Psychiatry End of Rotation (EOR) exam as a percentage of the national average |
Class of 2023: 100% Class of 2024: 98.5% Class of 2025: 99% Class of 2026: 101.5% |
| Clinical Experiences in rural/medically underserved communities | 100% of all graduated cohorts have completed at least one supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in rural or medically underserved communities. |
| 4. To develop the students’ ability to conduct and effectively communicate a systematic evaluation of clinical research to improve clinical decision making and patient outcomes. | |
| Conclusion: With four cohorts having graduated to date, the program has been successful in meeting all components of Goal # 4. See all measures of success and supporting data analysis below. | |
| Measure of success: | Data Analysis supporting: |
|
Survey responses to the following: “Our program develops students’ ability to conduct and effectively communicate a systematic eval of clinical research aimed to improve clinical decision making & patient outcomes” a. End of Didactic Survey b. End of Program Survey c. Graduate Survey d. Fac & Staff Eval results on question related to Goal 4 |
a. Average score of 4.1 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) for all years b. Average score by graduating students of 4.4 for the past four years and met benchmark all years c. Average score by program graduates of 4.1 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met all years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.6 over last five years and met benchmark for all years |
| Conducting novel research in the form of a master’s thesis (capstone project) | All students, prior to graduating from our program, completed a systematic review on a novel topic relevant to clinical practice. |
| Dissemination / communication of novel research as it relates to clinical practice | All students, prior to graduating from our program, presented their novel research at the annual Brenau Innovation, Inquiry, & Creativity Symposium |
| 5. Promote opportunities for faculty and students to engage in active and on-going professional, scholarly, and community service activities. | |
| Conclusion: With four cohorts having graduated to date, the program has been successful in meeting all components of Goal # 5. See all measures of success and supporting data analysis below. | |
| Measure of success: | Data Analysis supporting: |
|
Survey responses to the following: “Our program promotes opportunities for faculty and students to engage in active and ongoing professional, scholarly and community service activities” a. End of Didactic Survey b. End of Program Survey c. Graduate survey d. Fac & Staff Survey |
a. Average score of 3.8 on 5-point Likert scale over last five years and met benchmark (at least 3.5) for three years b. Average score by graduating students of 4.2 for the last four years and met benchmark for all years c. Average score by program graduates of 3.7 for the classes of 2023-2025. Benchmark met most years. d. Average score by faculty & staff of 4.5 over last five years and met benchmark for all years. |
| Opportunities for students and faculty to attend conferences and other scholarly activities |
All graduating classes to date had student representatives attend GAPA and AAPA annual conferences with department funding. For the classes of 2026 and 2027 over 80% attended the annual GAPA conference. Challenge Bowl participation was funded by the department. Faculty are each supported to attend a conference annually through PAEA and/or GAPA. |
| Community Service Opportunities | All students from all cohorts have participated in service learning at local free clinics and low-income residential communities. |