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Mission, Values and Program Goals

Temple PA Program Mission Mission

The mission of the Physician Assistant Program of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is to provide high-quality didactic and clinical education and training to our students while fostering a collaborative, supportive, and empowering learning environment. We are committed to developing compassionate, respectful, and culturally humble physician assistants who will deliver high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based, accessible health care within their communities.

Core Values

  • Diversity
  • Inclusion
  • Integrity
  • Humanism
  • Professionalism

Program Goals

1. Support diversity and inclusion.

Rationale:
As one of the core values of the program, instilling an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion is essential to prepare the PAs of the future.

Outcomes measured:
The program will support a culture of diversity and inclusion by providing education and training in diversity and inclusion to 100% of students, ensuring that:
a. 100% of students complete LGBTQ Health Education Training Modules
b. 100% of students complete a 13-hour series of education on diversity and inclusion

Actual outcomes:
a. 100% of students in the Class of 2022 and the Class of 2021 have completed 4 hours of LGBTQ Health Equity Education Training Modules
b. 100% of students from the Class of 2022 attended a 13-hour series, in the PA Practice II course, which was developed by the Director, Diversity and Inclusion; this series includes topics which examine the multiple ways in which aspects of human diversity – ethnicity, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and gender - shape socialization processes, identity development, and interpersonal relations.

2. Promote cultural sensitivity in the provision of care to a diverse community.

Rationale:
Physician assistants need to be comfortable and adept at managing patients from diverse backgrounds, with awareness and skill in providing culturally competent care.

Outcomes measured:
a. 100% of PA students will receive training in cultural sensitivity.
b. 100% of PA students will report that they are prepared to provide care to diverse communities upon graduation.

Actual outcomes:
a. 100% of students in the Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 received 4 hours of instruction in culturally competent communication with patients.
b. Graduation Exit Survey: For the following statement please select the answer that most closely describes your experience at the LKSOM PA Program: A deeper awareness of and sensitivity to interpersonal difference in age, ethnicity, cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and spirituality and how they impact my practice of medicine.

  • Class of 2020 - 100% of graduates in this class who responded to the survey agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (89% of graduates in this class responded to this question on the survey.)
  • Class of 2021 – 100% of graduates in this class who responded to the survey agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (81% of graduates in this class responded to this question on the survey.)

3. Prepare highly trained physician assistants with a robust didactic and clinical curriculum resulting in high quality, compassionate, patient-centered care.

Rationale:
The mission statement of the PA program includes providing high quality education and training to our students.

Outcomes measured:
a. 5-year first time PANCE pass rate that meets or exceeds the national average.
b. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students agree that they are prepared (a great deal or a lot) to practice clinically.

Actual outcomes:
a. First time PANCE taker pass rates vs national averages https://medicine.temple.edu/education/physician-assistant-program/about-program/pance

  • Class of 2018: LKSOM 100% first time pass rate; national average 98%
  • Class of 2019: LKSOM 100% first time pass rate; national average 93%
  • Class of 2020: LKSOM 100% first time pass rate; national average 95%
  • Class of 2021: LKSOM 90% first time pass rate; national average 93%
  • Class of 2022: LKSOM 89% first time pass rate; national average 92%

b. Graduation Exit Survey – For the following statement please select the answer that most closely describes your experience at the LKSOM PA Program. How well did the program prepare you for clinical practice?

  • Class of 2020- 92% of the graduates in this class who responded to the survey responded a great deal or a lot (89% of graduates responded to this question on the survey)
  • Class of 2021 – 96% of graduates in this class who responded to the survey responded excellent or very good (84% of graduates responded to this question on the survey.)

4. Encourage a high level of professionalism.

Rationale:
Professionalism is among the highest core values of the PA profession and our program. The program expects all students to demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism.
 

Outcomes measured:
a. Preceptors rate students in required clerkships above a 3.5/5 for Year 2020-2021 and thereafter. 100% of PA students will strongly agree or agree that they have a high personal standard of professionalism in behavior, attire, and practice upon graduation.
 

Actual outcomes:
a. Preceptor Evaluation of Students on Overall Professional Conduct - Student is ethical, compassionate, patient centered, and acknowledges limitations and mistakes.

Class of 2021 (mean from Likert scale 1-5)

  • Behavioral Medicine 4.6/5
  • Emergency Medicine 4.4/5
  • Family Medicine 4.8/5
  • Internal Medicine 4.9/5
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology 4.8/5
  • Pediatrics 4.7/5
  • Surgery 4.4/5

Class of 2022 (mean from Likert scale 1-5)

  • Behavioral Medicine 4.7/5
  • Emergency Medicine 4.3/5
  • Family Medicine 4.9/5
  • Internal Medicine 4.9/5
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology 4.8/5
  • Pediatrics 4.6/5
  • Surgery 4.9/5

b. Graduation Exit Survey - For the following statement please select the answer that most closely describes your experience at the LKSOM PA Program. A high personal standard of professionalism in behavior, attire, and practice.

  • Class of 2020- 96% of graduates in this class who responded to this question agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (89% of graduates in this class responded to this question on the survey.)
  • Class of 2021 – 96% of graduates in this class who responded to this question agreed or strongly agreed  with this statement. (84% of graduates in this class responded to this question on the survey.)

5. Cultivate collaborative patient care skills through integrated interprofessional education (IPE).

Rationale:
The delivery of quality patient care in the modern world requires a high degree of collaboration.

Outcomes measured:
a. 100% of students will participate in IPE training throughout both years of the curriculum with teams made up of medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, and nursing students.
b. 100% of students will agree or strongly agree on the graduation exit survey that they are committed to collaborative practice after graduation.

Actual outcomes:
a. 100% of students participate in at least 5 hours of programmed IPE training with other professional students.
b. Graduation Exit Survey – For the following statement please select the answer that most closely describes your experience at the LKSOM PA Program. A strong commitment to collaborative practice.

  • Class of 2020- –100% of graduates in this class who responded to this question on the survey agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (89% of graduates responded to this question on the survey.)
  • Class of 2021 – 100% of graduates in this class who responded to this question on the survey agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (84% of graduates responded to this question on the survey.)

6. Develop the skills needed to be effective life-long learners.

Rationale:
The program expects all students and graduates to develop and exhibit lifelong learning skills, which are the foundation to providing evidence-based medical care.

Outcomes measured:
a. 100% of students will achieve passing scores on the Capstone project in the Scholarly Clinical Research II course.
b. 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Introduction to Scientific Inquiry Course.

Actual outcomes:
a. 100% of students in the Classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 scored a passing grade on the Capstone project in the Scholarly Clinical Research II course.
b. 100% of students in the Classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 scored a passing grade in the Introduction to Scientific Inquiry course.

For more information about the Physician Assistant Program's accreditation status, please view the Accreditation Statement.