Professionalism in Physician Assistant Education As a Predictor of Future Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions

Overview

Journal J Physician Assist Educ

Specialty Medical Education

Date 2023 Jul 19

PMID 37467183

Authors

Carey L Barry

Jennifer Coombs

Shalon Buchs

Sooji Kim

Travis Grant

Trenton Henry

Jason Parente

Jared Spackman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between postgraduate disciplinary actions (PGDA) by state licensing boards and physician assistant (PA) school documented professionalism violations (DPV) and academic probation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comprising PA graduates from 2001 to 2011 at 3 institutions (n = 1364) who were evaluated for the main outcome of PGDA and independent variable of DPV and academic probation. Random-effects multiple logistic regression and accelerated failure time parametric survival analysis were used to investigate the association of PGDA with DPV and academic probation.

Results: Postgraduate disciplinary action was statistically significant and positively associated with DPV when unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] = 5.15; 95% CI: 1.62-16.31; P = .01) and when adjusting for age, sex, overall PA program GPA (GPA), and Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam Score (OR = 5.39; 95% CI: 1.54-18.85; P = .01) (fully adjusted). Academic probation increased odds to 8.43 times (95% CI: 2.85-24.92; P < .001) and 9.52 times (95% CI: 2.38-38.01; P < .001) when fully adjusted.

Conclusion: Students with professionalism violation or academic probation while in the PA school had significant higher odds of receiving licensing board disciplinary action compared with those who did not. Academic probation had a greater magnitude of effect and could represent an intersection of professionalism and academic performance.

Citing Articles

Assessing Professional Behaviors of Physician Assistant Students in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations: A Scoping Review.

Francis E, Sapre K J Physician Assist Educ. 2024; 36(1):e62-e68.

PMID: 39630007 PMC: 11841713. DOI: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000638.

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