See What’s New in PA Education

The March 2021 issue of the Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) is now available and filled with research and information to inform you and inspire you to become a better educator. Below, we highlight a few articles as just a sampling of what you will find in this latest issue.

1. Holistic Admissions and Underrepresented Minorities in Physician Assistant Programs

Over the past decade, there has been a significant push for and support to increase the number of underrepresented minority applicants and matriculants to medical education training programs to help better serve vulnerable and underrepresented patient populations. One of the ways programs have done this is to use a holistic method to review and select applicants. This article looks at the impact that a holistic approach can have on PA program admissions.

2. Reflections on a Physician Assistant Entrance Exam: Does the Profession Need One?

Recently, there has been a lot of conversation around PA program admissions and the development of a PA-specific entrance exam similar to the MCAT for medical school. Past PAEA presidents reflect on how adopting a national exam could affect admission efficiency, diversity, and the future of the PA profession.

3. Determining the Best Time to Integrate Opioid Use Disorder Training into the Curriculum Based on Student Perceptions

Incorporation of effective instruction on opioid prescribing and addiction treatment into health care curricula is essential to improve the ability of providers to respond to the current crisis caused by opioid use disorder.  This article explores when students believe is the most optimal timing of this instruction to help programs plan their curriculum.

4. Academic Entitlement in Physician Assistant Students

Many faculty in PA programs have experienced students’ academic entitlement at some point in their career, which may have contributed to friction between the professor and the student. This article looks at the factors that contribute to academic entitlement, which students are at highest risk, and how faculty can be more aware of these expectations to improve student success. 

5. Developing a Curriculum on Transgender Health Care for Physician Assistant Students

With increasing data and reports showing that individuals who identify as transgender often experience dysphoria within the health care system, providers need to be educated about the unique needs of this vulnerable patient population. This article addresses PA students’ knowledge and attitudes towards transgender patients and how one program integrated transgender health into its curriculum.   

You’ll find these and many other enlightening articles in the most current issue of JPAE. And remember, if you don’t have access to your hard copy of the journal, you can always read it online.

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