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Snyder J, Alexander LM, Statler M, Straker H, Bowser J, Caruthers K, Murray D, Alesbury E. Time to Pivot: A Guide to Holistic Admissions. J Physician Assist Educ 2024; 35:43-51. [PMID: 38227674 DOI: 10.1097/jpa.0000000000000569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT As an ever-increasing number of physician assistant (PA) programs moves toward holistic admissions, a better understanding of how to achieve their stated admission goals becomes more important. With the June 2023 US Supreme Court decision effectively ending affirmative action in higher education, navigating holistic admissions is now an even greater challenge. In this article, the PA Education Association's Presidents Commission offers a guide for programs to use in implementing holistic admissions at their institutions and key considerations. Is the process mission-driven? Does it follow principles of quality improvement and incorporate ongoing assessment of that process? Using data can be a constructive and insightful way to inform the process. The authors hope that tools, resources, and recommendations offered in this article will serve as valuable resources for any program attempting to institute or improve its holistic admissions process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Snyder
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Lisa Mustone Alexander
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Michel Statler
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Howard Straker
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Jonathan Bowser
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Kara Caruthers
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Donna Murray
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
| | - Elizabeth Alesbury
- Jennifer Snyder, PhD, PA-C, is a professor and associate dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lisa Mustone Alexander, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is a professor and the director of the PA Programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland
- Michel Statler, DMSc, PA-C, is an associate professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is an assistant professor and director of the Joint Degree PA/MPH Program, Department of PA Studies, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, at George Washington University in Washington, DC
- Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, is an associate professor and director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program as well as associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Program in Aurora, Colorado
- Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and associate program director for the PA program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee
- Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, is the former senior director of Admissions/CASPA for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
- Elizabeth Alesbury, BA, is the former editorial director for the PA Education Association in Washington, DC
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Herring J, Brantley E, Ritsema TS, Luo Q, Straker H, Salsberg E. Black and Hispanic Representation Declined After Increased Degree Requirements for Physician Assistants. J Physician Assist Educ 2024:01367895-990000000-00131. [PMID: 38377275 DOI: 10.1097/jpa.0000000000000572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The physician assistant (PA) profession is one of the least racially and ethnically diverse health professions requiring advanced education. New PA graduates are even less diverse than the current PA workforce and less diverse than professions requiring doctoral degrees. Between 1995 and 2020, the percent of all PA graduates that were Black individuals fell from 7% to 3.1%, while Hispanic representation increased from 4.5% to 7.9%. METHODS Using the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, we examine the impact of transitions to master's degrees for PAs on Black and Hispanic representation between 1995 and 2020, using individual universities as the unit of analysis. RESULTS After adjusting for state and year effects, PA programs that transitioned from bachelor's to master's degrees experienced a 5.3% point decline in Black representation and a 3.8% point decline in Hispanic representation. Relative to the already low proportions of Black and Hispanic graduates in PA programs, these declines are significant. CONCLUSION Steps should be taken to ensure that underrepresented populations have greater access to PA education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Herring
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Erin Brantley
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Tamara S Ritsema
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Qian Luo
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Howard Straker
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Ed Salsberg
- Jordan Herring, MS, is a program associate in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and PhD student in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University, District of Columbia
- Erin Brantley, PhD, MPH, is a research scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
- Tamara S. Ritsema, PhD, MPH PA-C/R, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Qian Luo, PhD, is an assistant research professor in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Howard Straker, EdD, MPH PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at George Washington University, Washington District of Columbia
- Ed Salsberg, MPA, is a lead research scientist in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
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Showstark M, Bessette M, Barry CL, Najmabadi S, Rolls J, Hamilton C, Valentin VL, Quella A, Honda T. PA applicant U.S. citizenship status and likelihood of program matriculation. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:887. [PMID: 36539716 PMCID: PMC9768947 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Barriers to matriculation into Physician Assistant (PA) programs and entry into the PA profession have disproportionate impact on historically marginalized groups. This study evaluates if U.S. citizenship status is associated with likelihood of matriculation in PA Programs. METHODS Data from five Centralized Applicant Services for Physician Assistants (CASPA) admissions cycles (2012-2021) was evaluated cross-sectionally for the primary outcome of binary matriculation status (yes/no). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was utilized to investigate associations between self-identified U.S. citizenship status and likelihood of PA program matriculation. Models controlled for important potential confounders, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, non-native English speaker, patient care experience hours, total undergraduate grade point average (GPA), and number of applications submitted to various programs. RESULTS Non-U.S. citizen status was statistically associated with persistent lower likelihood of PA program matriculation compared to U.S. citizenship. Odds of matriculation were 41% [OR 0.59 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.68; p <.001)] to 51% [OR 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.58; p <.001)] lower in unadjusted models. Odds were 32% [OR 0.68 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.83; p <.001)] to 42% OR 0.58 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.71; p <.001) lower when adjusting for important covariates. The lowest likelihood occurred in 2012-2013 with 51% lower odds of matriculation and in 2016-2017 with 42% lower odds when accounting for important covariates. DISCUSSION PA programs are charged with improving diversity of clinically practicing PAs to improve health outcomes and better reflect patient populations. This analysis shows that non-U.S. citizenship may be a barrier to PA school acceptance. PA schools should raise awareness and create means and accessibility for admissions for this underrepresented group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Showstark
- Yale University Physician Assistant Online Program, 100 Church Street South, Suite A230, New Haven, CT 06519 USA
| | - Michael Bessette
- Department of Medical Sciences, Northeastern, University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA USA
| | - Carey L. Barry
- Department of Medical Sciences, Northeastern, University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA USA
| | - Shahpar Najmabadi
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Ste. A, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 USA
| | - Joanne Rolls
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Ste. A, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 USA
| | - Catherine Hamilton
- Retired, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA USA
| | - Virginia L. Valentin
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Kentucky, 920 S. Limestone Suite 205, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Alicia Quella
- People’s Center Clinic and Services, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Trenton Honda
- School of Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA USA
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