PA Profession Success Plan A HRSA Title VII Grant Funding Project

+ Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who:  Practice medicine with physician supervision  Exercise independence in medical decision making  Provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services  Perform educational, research, and administrative activities

+ Why PA? Why not NP or MD?  Physician satisfaction  Patient satisfaction  Flexibility in practice choice  Increased time for patient care  PA is no longer the “ default ” choice

+ Job Satisfaction 80% of PAs were satisfied with: Amount of responsibility Support Job Security Working hours Task variety Salaries Fringe Benefits In comparison, PAs were more satisfied than other health professionals including physicians and nurse practitioners Public Health Rep (6);

+ Practice Choice Flexibility Certification is in Primary Medicine Recertification every 6 years in Primary Medicine ensures the ability of a PA to continue to practice in a variety of practice settings Certification specific to a specialty practice is not necessary PAs can “ change ” specialties without needing additional formalized education Post-graduate education is available for those who seek it

Family/General Medicine 24.9% Obstetrics/ Gynecology 2.4% Pediatrics & Pediatric Subspecialties 4.0% Internal Medicine & IM Subspecialties 18.2% Surgery & Surgical Subspecialties 24.9% Emergency Medicine 10.3% Other % PAs by Specialty Source: AAPA, 2007 Census

+ PAs Practice Medicine  Perform physical exams and take patient histories  Diagnose and treat illnesses  Order and interpret laboratory tests  Assist in surgery, work in ER, nursing homes  Write prescriptions  Provide patient education and counseling

+ Wisconsin ’ s Rural and Underserved Population Situation  Current shortage of primary care physicians in rural and inner-city Wisconsin  By 2015 an additional 13.5% shortage for primary care practitioners in these same areas  The population of WI is projected to increase 8.5%, worsening the clinician:patient shortfall American Hospital Association Taskforce on Physician Shortage

+ UW-Madison PA Program ’ s response to Wisconsin ’ s situation Recruit, successfully enroll, and retain students from rural, underserved and disadvantaged populations, who demonstrate interest and promise to provide healthcare to these populations upon program completion Train students for practice in rural, underserved and disadvantaged environments Place graduates into these underserved areas via community partnership and commitment.

+ Past application barriers:  Admissions processes sometimes inadvertently create hurdles for students of rural or underrepresented origin  GPA does not always accurately reflect a student ’ s abilities  Heavy academic load of the curriculum may impedes a student ’ s success  Student confidence is sometimes lacking and is a marker of success

+ UW-Madison PA Program Solution : The PA Profession Success Plan Formalizing what we do with all students

+ Components of the PA Profession Success Plan Recruitment of promising students from Wisconsin A Pre-entry program for promising students who do not gain admission on first attempt A mentoring program pairing potential enrollees with a mentor to strengthen application materials Flexible training options to allow students to remain in their community during the program Resources: before admission and after enrolled

+ Recruitment Universities, community and technical colleges, Wisconsin schools Health care occupations counselors /advisors Community Practice Advisory Council (CPAC) recommendations Ideal candidates are identified and referred to UW PA Program faculty Candidates guaranteed interview during the admissions process

+ Candidate Identification From rural or urban underserved areas Have aptitude for the health sciences Interested in returning to their home community after completion of the program Of minority status; or disadvantaged: economically or educationally

+ Essential demonstrated student attributes  Interest in healthcare  Motivation to succeed  Humility  Integrity  Educational promise

+ Pre-Entry Program Re-Applicants  Applicants may be advised to:  Retake specific coursework  Take new coursework  Acquire additional patient experience  Shadow PAs in the clinical field  Improve their application/interview by other means

+ Mentoring Program  Students identified will be paired with:  Community mentor  PA Program mentor  PA student/alumni mentor Mentors will:  Provide advisement and support throughout the admission process and enrollment

+ Flexible Training Options  Campus-based learning option - A 24 month full-time academic program  Community-based (distance education) learning option - A 36 month part-time academic program allowing student to stay in their home community during much of the educational period

+ Resource Guidance  Guidance to resources both on-campus and within their home communities  Students complete a self-inventory of needs  Based on this self-assessment, students are provided resources to help meet those needs

+ Academic Prerequisites  Zoology or Mammalian Biology w/ lab  Anatomy and Physiology  Biomolecular Chemistry or Human Biochemistry  General Chemistry  Microbiology  Psychology  Statistics B.S. degree required; all prerequisite coursework must be accomplished with a grade of “ C ” or better

+ Basic Admissions Criteria  Academic Performance  Healthcare Experience  Community Service  References  Interviews

+ Working together in maximizing student success  Please identify promising candidates  Continue encouragement and support  Recommend these individuals to us  Serve as a mentor to promising candidates Program Website: Thank you!