Characteristics of Hybrid Learning Among Health Professions Programs: A Mixed-Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical Education Technology
• Comparative Education Models

Background:

• Hybrid education models are increasingly adopted across health professions.
• Understanding trends in physician assistant (PA) education is crucial for future workforce development.
• Comparison with physical therapy hybrid education provides valuable insights into interprofessional trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze current hybrid education trends in the physician assistant (PA) profession.
• To compare PA hybrid programs' design, drivers, and outcomes against physical therapy hybrid programs.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and characteristics of PA hybrid education.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach utilizing secondary data analysis.
• Inclusion of focused interviews with key stakeholders for data triangulation.
• Comparative analysis of hybrid and traditional PA programs.

Main Results:

• Hybrid PA programs exhibit similar admission criteria but higher tuition costs and attrition rates compared to national averages.
• Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam scores for hybrid programs are comparable to or slightly below national scores.
• Key drivers for hybrid adoption include technological advancements and the demand for faculty and learner flexibility.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid education is a growing trend in health professions, including PA programs.
• PA hybrid programs share many characteristics with traditional programs, with notable differences in cost, attrition, and immersion experiences.
• Further long-term impact studies are recommended to fully understand the implications of hybrid educational designs for PA graduates.