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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. Demonstrate principles of cultural agility and humility. (PC, PE, CS, SPH, IC)

  1. Interact with all persons with respect and curiosity regardless of race, religion or spirituality, culture, gender identity, sex, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and educational background. 
  2. Recognize social determinants of health that impact patient health and incorporate these factors into clinical care.

2. Apply knowledge of basic sciences and scientific evidence. (PC, KP)

  1. Apply knowledge of basic sciences to patient care 
  2. Apply medical knowledge to patient care
  3. Demonstrate skill in appraising sources, content, and applicability of evidence

3. Gather essential and accurate information about patients through history-taking and physical examination. (PC, KP)

  1. Demonstrate patient-centered interview skills
  2. Obtain an organized and accurate patient history pertinent to the setting and purpose of the patient visit
  3. Perform an accurate physical exam pertinent to the setting and purpose of the patient visit

4. Synthesize clinical information to advance patient care. (PC, CS, KP, IC)

  1. Create and refine a prioritized differential diagnosis
  2. Synthesize information to effectively communicate clinical reasoning in written documentation
  3. Synthesize information to effectively communicate clinical reasoning in verbal formats

5. Develop and implement patient-centered diagnostic plans. (PC, KP)

  1. Order diagnostic tests considering risk, cost, patient preferences, and responsible resource utilization
  2. Interpret diagnostic results and understand the implications for patient care

6. Develop and implement patient management plans. (PC, KP, PBLQ)

  1. Integrate effective pharmacologic options into patient management plans
  2. Integrate effective non-pharmacologic modalities (e.g., physical therapy, surgery, and counseling) into patient management plans
  3. Recognize and avoid errors by attending to patient-specific factors and appropriately responding to safety alerts
  4. Implement management plans that consider patient-specific factors with consideration of local healthcare system resources
  5. Perform common clinical procedures competently

7. Counsel patients. (PC, PE, CS, KP)

  1. Counsel patients on risks, benefits, and alternatives for diagnostic testing and management plans
  2. Counsel patients on behavioral modifications to promote health considering patient-specific factors
  3. Counsel patients on risk-reduction strategies considering patient-specific factors. (e.g. anticipatory guidance, immunizations, preventative health screening)
  4. Manage conversations regarding Advanced Directives, Goals of Care, and Code Status

8. Facilitate referrals and care transitions. (PC, CS, KP, IC)

  1. Recognize medical indications for escalation or de-escalation of care
  2. Conduct patient care hand-off or transfer with written and verbal communication strategies known to minimize threats to patient safety
  3. Manage specialty consultations

9. Serve as a member of an interprofessional team (PE, CS, KP, PBLQ, IC)

  1. Distinguish team members' roles and responsibilities to optimize healthcare delivery
  2. Contribute to a climate of mutual respect and trust through effective communication strategies
  3. Demonstrate mature and professional behavior

10. Identify and correct gaps in knowledge, skills, or attitudes. (PE, PBLQ)

  1. Reflect on performance to recognize personal limitations
  2. Implement self-improvement plans effectively to address self-identified limitations

11. Use information technology to optimize patient care. (PC, CS)

  1. Utilize healthcare information technology tools to deliver optimal patient care
  2. Provide care using telehealth technology

12. Demonstrate ethical decision making in the provision of patient care. (PC, PE, CS, IC)

  1. Follow local and national regulations of PA practice
  2. Demonstrate respect for patient privacy
  3. Respect patients’ autonomy, including the right to refuse treatment

Domain key

  • Person-centered Care (PC)
  • Professionalism and Ethics (PE)
  • Interpersonal & Communication Skills (CS)
  • Knowledge for Practice (KP)
  • Practice-based learning and Quality Improvement (PBLQ)
  • Society and Population Health (SPH)
  • Interprofessional Collaboration (IC)

Program Outcomes

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