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Accreditation and implications of clinical postgraduate PA training programs
Sobia S Hussaini1, Reamer L Bushardt, Wanda C Gonsalves
1Sobia S. Hussaini is instructor and director of academic practice partnerships for Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Reamer L. Bushardt is professor and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, professor of internal medicine, and professor and program leader in the Clinical Translational Science Institute at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and editor-in-chief of JAAPA. His clinical specialty is internal medicine. Wanda C. Gonsalves is professor and vice chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, Ky., and a member of the board of directors of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Her clinical specialty is family medicine. Virginia O. Hilton is director of the Norwalk/Yale PA Surgical Residency at Norwalk (Conn.) Hospital and past president of the Association of Postgraduate PA Programs. Her clinical specialty is general surgery. Brad J. Hornberger is a faculty associate in the Department of Urology and director of the PA urology residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His clinical specialty is urology. Frank A. Labagnara practices at W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, N.C., and is director of medical education and a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va. His clinical specialty is family medicine. Kevin M. O'Hara is an assistant professor in the PA program at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and a member of the AAPA's Commission on Continuing Professional Development and Education. His clinical specialties are internal medicine and infectious diseases. Cody Sasek is an assistant professor and academic director of the PA program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. His clinical specialties are orthopedics and emergency medicine. Benjamin J. Smith practices at McIntosh Clin
Postgraduate physician assistant (PA) training lacks a clear definition. While these programs don't boost PA compensation, they may improve hiring prospects and boost confidence.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Physician Assistant Studies
Background:
- A lack of consensus definition for postgraduate physician assistant (PA) training exists.
- This study examines the impact of postgraduate PA training programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe types of clinical training programs for PAs.
- To evaluate the effects of these programs on PA hiring and compensation.
Main Methods:
- The report analyzes data from the AAPA Task Force on Accreditation of Postgraduate PA Training Programs.
- It examines the outcomes of PAs who completed postgraduate training.
Main Results:
- Completing postgraduate PA training shows no significant effect on PA compensation.
- PAs with postgraduate training may receive preferential hiring and report increased skill confidence.
Conclusions:
- Further research is necessary to understand the full impact of postgraduate PA training.
- Accreditation of PA postgraduate programs is crucial for monitoring effectiveness and ensuring quality.
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