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Outcomes

The Mayo Clinic Physician Assistant Studies Program's Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are our program-defined competencies representing the knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving required for physician assistant practice. Our program's mission and vision guide our program-defined competencies. They are aligned with and informed by the Competencies for the Physician Assistant (PA) Profession.

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)

Upon completion of Mayo Clinic Physician Assistant Studies Program, graduates are expected to:

1. Incorporate principles of cultural competence across the healthcare continuum. (IS, PB)

  1. Demonstrates the ability to treat all persons (patients, colleagues, and faculty) regardless of race, religion or spirituality, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and educational background with respect, care, and compassion
  2. Uses effective communication skills with culturally and ethnically diverse patients and adjusts to language barriers (including health literacy and use of interpreters)
  3. Recognizes harm of implicit bias and employs strategies to increase self-awareness

2. Gather essential & accurate information about patients through history-taking, physical exam, use of lab data, imaging, and others. (MK, CTS, CRPS)

  1. H&P: Completes an accurate history and physical exam in an organized fashion
  2. H&P: Demonstrates patient-centered interview skills
  3. H&P: Demonstrates clinical reasoning by gathering information relevant to the patient's care
  4. H&P: Performs focused physical exam pertinent to the setting and purpose of the patient encounter
  5. H&P: Synthesizes information into a cohesive verbal or written narrative for a variety of clinical encounters
  6. Diagnostic Testing: Recommends appropriate, cost-effective diagnostic tests for routine health maintenance and common disorders
  7. Diagnostic Testing: Explains rationale for decision to order diagnostic tests
  8. Diagnostic Testing: Interprets results of diagnostic studies to guide appropriate patient care
  9. Diagnosis: Integrates information as it emerges to refine differential diagnosis
  10. Diagnosis: Synthesizes essential information from previous records, history, physical exam, and diagnostic evaluations to create an evidence-based, prioritized differential diagnosis
  11. Diagnosis: Engages with team members to best develop the working diagnosis that will inform management plans

3. Locate, critically evaluate, integrate, and appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care. (CTS, CRPS)

  1. Formulates a well-informed, focused, pertinent clinical question using curiosity, objectivity, and scientific reasoning (ASK)
  2. Demonstrates awareness and skill in using information technology to access accurate and reliable medical information (ACQUIRE)
  3. Demonstrates skill in appraising sources, content, and applicability of evidence (APPRAISE)
  4. Communicates findings to the patient and team, reflecting on process and outcomes (ADVISE)

4. Develop and implement patient management plans. (MK, IS, CTS, CRPS)

  1. Applies knowledge of basic sciences to patient care plans
  2. Integrates available pharmacologic options into patient management plans based on scientific rationale including: method of delivery, dosages, interactions, adverse effects, and response to specific drug toxicities
  3. Communicates effectively with the team, patient, and family to ensure patient management plan is understood
  4. Integrates evidence-based, non-pharmacologic modalities (e.g., physical therapy, surgery, and counseling) into patient management plans
  5. Recognizes and avoids errors by attending to patient-specific factors, using resources, and appropriately responding to safety alerts
  6. Implements management plans that consider: patient's age; medical, psychological, and social needs; economic resources; personal preferences (including alternative therapies); local/national practice guidelines; healthcare system resources; and public health
  7. Conducts a conversation with a patient and family about advance directives, goals of care, and code status, recognizing medical indications for the transition to comfort care
  8. Utilizes resources to make appropriate referrals

5. Provide preventative healthcare services and education. (MK, IS, CTS, CRPS)

  1. Integrates risk-reduction strategies (screening, immunization, and behavioral modifications) taking into account factors such as age, culture, occupation, and social environment
  2. Engages patients and families in shared decision-making to counsel patients on preventative measures and provide education with each clinical visit appropriate for age group, sex, and common ethnic/cultural groups

6. Provide transfer of care in a variety of settings. (IS, CTS)

  1. Conducts patient care transfer with written and verbal communication strategies known to minimize threats to patient safety
  2. Gives and/or elicits feedback about patient care transfer and ensures closed-loop communication
  3. Respects the patient’s privacy and confidentiality during transfers of care

7. Develop and manage interpersonal interactions. (IS, PB)

  1. Respects patients’ autonomy
  2. Demonstrates emotional resilience and adaptability
  3. Demonstrates compassionate and mature behaviors in all interactions, including difficult situations

8. Work and communicate effectively as a leader or member of an interprofessional healthcare team to provide patient-centered care. (IS, PB)

  1. Distinguishes team members’ roles and responsibilities to optimize healthcare delivery
  2. Utilizes effective communication strategies to support team members in effective healthcare delivery
  3. Contributes to a climate of mutual respect and trust
  4. Implements specific leadership skills when working within teams and different settings

9. Identify and correct gaps in knowledge, skills, or attitudes. (PB)

  1. Reflects on personal performance, recognizes limitations, and takes steps towards improvement

10. Use information technology to manage information and optimize patient care. (CTS)

  1. Utilizes integrated electronic medical record (EMR) tools to deliver and optimize patient care
  2. Demonstrates skill in accessing information technology to obtain accurate and reliable medical information
  3. Delivers care utilizing appropriate technology, including in a virtual setting (e.g. Telemedicine, AI, etc.)

11. Apply public health principles to improve care for patients, populations, communities, and systems. (MK, PB, CRPS)

  1. Develops disease prevention and health promotion strategies which incorporate considerations of each patients’ social and cultural determinants of health
  2. Utilizes public health resources to improve health outcomes for patients, communities, and healthcare delivery systems
  3. Interprets local and national regulations of PA practice

12. Identify system failures and contribute to a culture of safety and improvement. (PB)

  1. Identifies and reports actual and potential (“near misses”) errors in care, using system reporting structure (e.g., event reporting systems, chain-of-command policies)
  2. Participates in system-improvement activities
  3. Engages in daily safety practices (such as universal precautions, checklists, quality improvement models, etc.)

13. Recognize and develop strategies to address system biases that contribute to healthcare disparities. (PB)

  1. Evaluates the influence of social, cultural, economic, and spiritual factors on a patient's access to care
  2. Constructs strategies to reduce system biases and improve access to care

Domain key

  • Medical Knowledge (MK)
  • Interpersonal Skills (IS)
  • Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS)
  • Professional Behaviors (PB)
  • Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving (CRPS)
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