Type of Health Care Experience Impact on PA Education Association End of Rotation Exam Scores

Abstract

Introduction The physician assistant (PA) profession is based on previous healthcare experience (HCE), yet few studies have examined the influence of HCE on outcomes. This exploratory study examined possible differences between type of HCE and End of Rotation scores as a surrogate for clinical acumen and medical knowledge. Methods Participants included consecutive classes of PA students (2017-2020) from a single public institution (N = 196). Self-reported HCE was used to classify students into HCE groups: group 1, lower decision-making professions; and group 2, higher decision-making professions. Results Group 1 (n = 124) and group 2 (n = 72) had no significant difference in the 7 individual End of Rotation exam scores and HCE (p =.163 to .907). A correlation was found between average End of Rotation exam score and PANCE scores (r =.80, p ≤ .001). Discussion The impact of HCE during the clinical year of education and its influence on noncognitive attributes, such as communication skills and professionalism, is not known. HCE might have a role in hard to measure noncognitive, nonquantifiable qualities.