Physician Assistant Students' Perceptions and Competencies Concerning Lifestyle Medicine

With nearly two-thirds of chronic disease attributed to lifestyle, there is a need for physician assistants (PA) to develop competencies in Lifestyle Medicine (LM). The purpose of this study was to assess PA students' skill competencies in exercise and dietary prescription to guide curriculum implementation efforts.

An online survey was administered to PA students at a single institution.

Overall, 74 (63%) students completed the survey, self-reporting moderate competence (range: 1-6) in conducting a physical exam to approve an exercise program (4.17 ± 1.22), designing a nutritional plan (3.76 ± 1.32), and designing an exercise prescription (3.50 ± 1.32). Only about half of the clinical students felt competent in conducting a physical examination to approve an exercise program (56%), determine maximal heart rate (54%), and design a nutritional plan (58%), and only 25% reported competence in designing an exercise prescription. Additionally, 84% of clinical students reported time spent on LM in their program as "poor" or inadequate, and 100% wanted to learn more.

PA students reported inadequate competence and knowledge in LM but expressed an unanimous interest in learning more about LM during their educational training.