UNMC Mission
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC.
Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
Division of PA Education Mission Statement
We will be innovative leaders in physician assistant education, developing clinicians who practice evidence-based medicine and provide exceptional, team-based care to all individuals and communities.
History
The University of Nebraska Medical Center Physician Assistant Program was established as a result of a mandate from the Nebraska State Legislature in November of 1971. The purpose of the PA Program was to provide primary care providers for rural and underserved areas of Nebraska.
The first students graduated from the Program in 1975 with a bachelor's degree. In 1993, the Program began awarding a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and at the time, was one of the first PA programs nationally to offer a master's degree.
As the demand for a master's degree level of physician assistant education increased, in September of 1996, the PA Program established the Distance Learning Program. This Program allowed practicing PAs with a bachelor's degree to earn a master's degree while continuing their PA practice.
The Principal Goals of the UNMC Physician Assistant Program:
1. To develop exceptional clinicians
Criterion 1
PAEA End of Curriculum Exam Performance: Performance Levels
Benchmark: At or above the national mean
- 59% of the graduating cohort 2020 performed at “Advanced Medical Knowledge” compared to the national mean of 25.1%
- 67% of the graduating cohort 2021 performed at “Advanced Medical Knowledge” compared to the national mean of 25.1%
Student Graduation Exit Survey
Benchmark: 90% or higher
- 97.1% of graduates believe that program course objectives are clearly stated and met for the graduating cohorts 2020 and 2021.
- 97.1% of graduates believe that program faculty demonstrate knowledge of content for the graduating cohorts 2020 and 2021.
Criterion 3
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher:
Benchmark: 90% or higher
|
|
2021 |
|
Collection/recording of patient history |
99.8% |
|
Physical exam and interpretation of findings |
99.7% |
|
Oral case presentation |
99% |
|
Documentation of clinical encounter |
99.7% |
|
Appropriate selection & interpretation of diagnostic tests |
99.7% |
|
Ability to perform clinical procedures |
99.5% |
|
Prioritize data and identification of problems |
99.7% |
|
Problem-Solving and critical thinking |
99.8% |
|
Overall medical knowledge base |
99.5% |
|
Establishment of tentative diagnosis & differential |
99.7% |
|
Ability to develop safe & effective treatment plan |
99.7% |
|
Ability to implement treatment plan |
99.5% |
|
Provides appropriate patient education |
98.2% |
|
Overall Level of Technical Skills |
100% |
2. To prepare professional graduates
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 2020 and 2021.
Criterion 2
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher:
Benchmark: 90% or higher
|
|
2021 |
|
Overall Professionalism |
99.8% |
|
Accepts responsibility for education & self-learning |
99.5% |
|
Demonstrates appropriate response to criticism and feedback |
99.6% |
|
Demonstrates ethical behavior, truthfulness, integrity |
100% |
|
Seeks additional learning opportunities |
99.5% |
|
Recognizes own limitations; Seeks help when needed |
99.8% |
|
Completes tasks in timely manner / Makes good use of time |
99.5% |
|
Shows initiative |
99% |
|
Is appropriately self-confident |
99.3% |
|
Is respectful to others in all situations |
100% |
|
Attitude is positive, approachable & appropriately assertive |
99.8% |
3. To achieve student satisfaction in their educational experience
Criterion 1
Student Graduation Exit Survey
Benchmark: 90% or higher
- 94.9% of graduates rate their satisfaction with their PA education as good or higher (5.1% rated fair, 0% rated poor) for the graduating cohorts 2020 and 2021.
- 98.1% of graduates believe that program faculty provide effective classroom presentations for the graduating cohorts 2020 and 2021.
- 98.1% of graduates believe that program faculty present their subjects in an understandable way for the graduating cohorts 2020 and 2021.
4. To prepare graduates to achieve 100% pass rate on the PANCE.
Criterion 1
PAEA End of Curriculum Exam Performance: Overall Score
Benchmark: At or above the national mean
|
|
2020 |
2021 |
National Average |
|
Overall Score |
1536 |
1543 |
1495 |
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 2020-2021.
Criterion 3
NCCPA PANCE Results
Benchmark: 100% of graduates pass the PANCE exam
NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report July 2022
5. Foster a culture of caring for the underserved.
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 2020-2021.
- 100% of graduates participated in a rural or underserved clerkship located in Nebraska for the graduating cohorts 2020-2021.
Criterion 2
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher:
Benchmark: 90% or higher
|
|
2021 |
|
Practices culturally-informed care as appropriate |
100% |
|
Sensitive & responsive to culture, gender, age, disabilities & ethnicity of others |
100% |
6. Admit and graduate students who will add to the diversity of the PA profession.
Criteria 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.
Criteria 2
Graduation rates
Benchmark: Percent graduated on time is at or above the national average per the PAEA
Program Report 35
|
|
2020 |
2021 |
National Average |
|
Graduated on time |
89.4% |
94.2% |
93.6% |
- Over the past 3 years, 98% of students that begin the PA program have successfully graduated from the program.
7. To promote opportunities of leadership.
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 2020-2021.
Criterion 2
Conference Experience with Nebraska PA’s
Benchmark: 100% of graduates
Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants (NAPA) Annual Spring Conference in Kearney, NE
- Cohort 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
- 100% of students attended in-person or virtually for the graduating cohort 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
8. To develop clinicians who practice effectively in a team-based environment.
Criterion 1
Clinical Preceptor Evaluation student rating of average or higher:
Benchmark: 90% or higher
|
|
2021 |
|
Effective & efficient communication with team & staff |
100% |
|
Effective & efficient communication with patient & family |
100% |
|
Team oriented, works well with other professionals |
99.8% |
9. To develop clinicians engaged in on-going evidence-based medicine practices.
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
|
2020 |
2021 |
National Average |
|
|
Locate, critically evaluate, integrate, & appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care. |
1536 |
1545 |
1497 |
Criterion 2
Clinical phase evidence-based medicine assignments.
Benchmark: Score 90% or higher
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Clinical Phase Evidence-based Medicine Assignment Scores |
96.4% |
96.5% |
95.6% |