University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Goals and Outcomes

The Principal Goals of the UNMC Physician Assistant Program:

1. To develop exceptional clinicians.
1: Criterion 1

PAEA End of Curriculum Exam Performance: Performance Levels
Benchmark: At or above the national mean

  • 2020–2022 Cohorts: On average, 64% of graduates achieved an "Advanced Medical Knowledge" rating, significantly exceeding the national average of 25.1%.
  • *2023 Cohort: 21% of graduates achieved "Advanced Medical Knowledge," closely aligning with the new national average of 23.6%.
  • *2024 Cohort: 30% of graduates attained "Advanced Medical Knowledge," surpassing the national average of 23.6%.

*Starting in 2023, the national standard for "Advanced Medical Knowledge" was raised.

1: Criterion 2

Cumulative Program Course Evaluations: average or higher
Benchmark: 90% or higher

  • 98.0% of graduates believe that program course objectives are clearly stated and met for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024
  • 98.9% of graduates believe that program faculty demonstrate knowledge of content for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024

1: Criterion 3

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher (2021-2023):
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of meets expectations or higher (2024):
Benchmark: 90% or higher

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation 2021 2022 2023 2024
Collection/recording of patient history 99.8% 99.7% 99.7% 99.1%
Physical exam and interpretation of findings 99.7% 99.7% 99.8% 98.6%
Oral case presentation 99% 99.6% 99.6% 97.8%
Documentation of clinical encounter 99.7% 99.7% 99.4% 98.7%
Appropriate selection & interpretation of diagnostic tests 99.7%  99.6%  99.4%  98.5%
Ability to perform clinical procedures 99.5%   99.5% 99.9%  97.8%
Problem-Solving and critical thinking 99.8%  99.5%  99.2%  98.1%
Overall medical knowledge base 99.5%   99.6% 99.2%  98.5%
Establishment of tentative diagnosis & differential 99.7%  99.5%  99.0%  97.8%
Ability to develop safe & effective treatment plan 99.7%  99.6%  99.6%  97.9%
Ability to implement treatment plan 99.5%  99.8%  99.8%  97.9%
 Provides appropriate patient education 98.2%    99.6%   100%  98.6%
Overall Level of Technical Skills 100%  99.6%  98%  99.9%
1: Criterion 3

2. To prepare professional graduates.
2: Criterion 1

Program Professionalism Evaluation
Benchmark: 100% of graduates

  • 100% of graduates achieved the rating of Skill Demonstrated (highest rating) on the program Professionalism Evaluation for the graduating cohorts 2021 - 2024.

2: Criterion 2

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher (2021-2023):
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of meets expectations or higher (2024):
Benchmark: 90% or higher

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation 2021 2022 2023 2024
Overall Professionalism 99.8%   99.6%  99.8% 98.9%
Accepts responsibility for education & self-learning 99.5%  99.6%  99.4%  98.1%
Demonstrates appropriate response to criticism and feedback 99.6%    99.6% 99.8% 99.1%
Demonstrates ethical behavior, truthfulness, integrity 100%     99.3%  99.9%  99.7%
Seeks additional learning opportunities 99.5%   99.6%   99.1%   96.2%
Recognizes own limitations; Seeks help when needed 99.8%   99.3%    99.5% 98.6% 
Completes tasks in timely manner / Makes good use of time 99.5%    99.6%  99.6%   98.5%
Is appropriately self-confident     99.3%  99.6%   99.2%  97.5%
Is respectful to others in all situations   100%   99.9%   100%   99.3%
Attitude is positive, approachable & appropriately assertive   99.8%   99.7%   99.7%  98.9% 
2: Criterion 2

3. To achieve student satisfaction in their educational experience.
3: Criterion 1

Student Graduation Exit Survey
Benchmark: 90% or higher

  • 96.8% of graduates rate their satisfaction with their PA education as good or higher (3.2% rated fair, 0% rated poor) for the graduating cohorts 2021-2023.

3: Criterion 2

Cumulative Program Course Evaluations: average or higher
Benchmark: 90% or higher

  • 97.4% of graduates believe that program faculty provide effective classroom presentations for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024.
  • 97.4% of graduates believe that program faculty present their subjects in an understandable way for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024

4. To prepare graduates to achieve 100% pass rate on the PANCE.
4: Criterion 1

PAEA End of Curriculum Exam Performance: Overall Score
Benchmark: At or above the national mean

Overall Scores
2021 = 1543
2022 = 1546
2023 = 1527
2024 = 1537
2024 National Average = 1516

4: Criterion 2

UNMC PANCE Exam Review Workshop
Benchmark: 100% of graduates

  • 100% of graduates participated in the UNMC PANCE Exam Review Workshop for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024.

4: Criterion 3

NCCPA PANCE Results
Benchmark: 100% of graduates pass the PANCE exam

PANCE scores

5. Foster a culture of caring for the underserved.
5: Criterion 1

Clinical Experiences
Benchmark: 100% of graduates

  • 100% of graduates participated in supervised medical care to underserved populations at free clinics located in Omaha and Kearney, Nebraska for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024.
  • 100% of graduates participated in a rural or underserved clerkship located in Nebraska for the graduating cohorts 2021-2024.

5: Criterion 2

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher (2021-2023):
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of meets expectations or higher (2024):
Benchmark: 90% or higher
 Clinical Preceptor Evaluation 2021 2022 2023 2024
Practices culturally-informed care as appropriate   100% 99.8%  100%  99.5%
Sensitive & responsive to culture, gender, age, disabilities & ethnicity of others    100% 99.3%  100% 99.7%
5: Criterion 2

6. A fair and equitable admission process.
6: Criterion 1

Admission Process
Benchmark: Utilize evidence-based best practices for fair admission processes across a
diverse population in health care careers

  • 60% of pre-interview score based on non-academic variables for the graduating cohort 2021-2024.

7. To promote opportunities of leadership.
7: Criterion 1

Leadership Opportunities
Benchmark: 20% or higher participate in leadership roles

  • 28.8% (19 students per cohort) participated in an elected leadership role within the program, college, or university for each of the graduating cohorts 2021-2024.

7: Criterion 2

Conference Experience with Nebraska PA’s
Benchmark: 100% of graduates

Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants (NAPA) Annual Spring Conference in Kearney, NE

  • 100% of students attended in-person or virtually for the graduating cohort 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
  • 100% of students attended in-person for the graduating cohort 2022-2024 

8. To develop clinicians who practice effectively in a team-based environment. Criterion 1

Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher (2021-2023):
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of meets expectations or higher (2024):
Benchmark: 90% or higher
 Clinical Preceptor Evaluation 2021 2022 2023 2024
Effective & efficient communication with team & staff  100%  99.8%  99.9%  99%
Effective & efficient communication with patient & family   100%  99.6% 100%  99.3%
Team oriented, works well with other professionals    99.8% 99.6% 99.7%  99.4%
8. To develop clinicians who practice effectively in a team-based environment. Criterion 1

9. To develop clinicians who demonstrate the ongoing application of evidence-based medicine practices.
9: Criterion 1

PAEA End of Curriculum Exam Performance: Locate, critically evaluate, integrate, & appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care.
Benchmark: At or above the national mean

Locate, critically evaluate, integrate, & appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care.

2021 = 1545
2022 = 1533
2023 = 1530
2024 = 1533
2024 National Average = 1525

9: Criterion 2

Clinical phase evidence-based medicine assignments.
Benchmark: Score 90% or higher

Clinical Phase Evidence-based Medicine Assignment Scores (Written, Journal Club, Capstone)

2021 = 95.6%
2022 = 100%
2023 = 100%
2024 = 100%