Credentials and Core Clerkships: Who's Training Our Physician Assistant Students (and Does It Matter)?

Elana A. Min, W. Patrick Bowden, Laura R. Gerstner, Jennifer R. Guthrie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

PurposeEvaluating the effectiveness of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) is a primary responsibility of the clinical education team. Physician assistant (PA) education is unique because preceptors are not confined to one professional credential. This study evaluated the relationship between students' perceptions of rotation experiences and the professional credentials of the preceptor of record.MethodsThis retrospective data analysis evaluated data from 3 cohorts (2016-2018) across 4 PA programs. Preceptors of record were categorized as MDs/DOs or advanced practice providers (APPs).ResultsAnalysis of 209 SCPEs found 91 APP preceptors (43%) and 119 MD/DO preceptors (57%). APP preceptors were most prevalent in family medicine/primary care (57%), internal medicine (50%), and emergency medicine (49%). Students' evaluation scores were higher for APP preceptors compared to MD/DO preceptors, but not statistically significant.ConclusionsThis study showed that a considerable number of APPs are serving as preceptors and were found to have similar student evaluation scores to those of MD/DO preceptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)185-188
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Physician Assistant Education
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Medical Assisting and Transcription

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