Vision, Mission, Values, Goals, and Competencies
Vision
Mercer University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies strives to improve healthcare by promoting excellence in education and clinical practice.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to educate patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
Core Values
The core values of the Mercer University Physician Assistant Program are compassion, collegiality, service, ethical behavior, integrity, and respect.
Program Goals
The Mercer University Physician Assistant Program will:
- Admit highly qualified applicants who are successful in completing the Mercer Physician Assistant curriculum.
- Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level practice as a physician assistant.
- Prepare students to deliver primary care in a variety of clinical settings.
*Click on each of the program goals for applicable data to demonstrate the success in achieving the goal.*
Program-Defined Competencies and Program Learning Outcomes
1. Medical Knowledge
1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic sciences
1.2 Describe etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic processes and epidemiology for various medical conditions
1.3 Recognize signs and symptoms of various medical conditions
1.4 Select and interpret appropriate screening and diagnostic studies
1.5 Know the indications, contraindications, interactions, and adverse effects of pharmacologic agents
2. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
2.1 Effectively establish rapport with patients
2.2 Use effective communication skills in patient care
2.3 Demonstrate empathy and compassion in patient communication
2.4 Demonstrate respect and integrity in patient interactions
2.5 Provide effective oral case presentations to physicians and colleagues
2.6 Convey aspects of the patient encounter through accurate and timely written communication and documentation
3. Person-Centered Care
3.1 Obtain an accurate patient history
3.2 Conduct an accurate physical exam
3.3 Generate a differential diagnosis for acute, chronic, and emergent health conditions across the lifespan
3.4 Accurately diagnose acute, chronic, and emergent health conditions across the lifespan
3.5 Describe maintenance of health and prevention of disease in patients across the lifespan
3.6 Develop appropriate management plans, including pharmacologic and non- pharmacologic therapies, for acute, chronic, and emergent conditions across the lifespan
3.7 Demonstrate sensitivity while providing care to diverse patient populations
3.8 Provide person-centered counseling and education to patients
3.9 Perform procedures accurately and safely
3.10 Approach the provision of quality care with consideration to financial impact and cost-effective resource allocation
4. Professionalism and Ethics
4.1 Apply a high level of ethical standards to patient care and professional activities
4.2 Recognize personal and professional limitations in providing care
4.3 Understand the legal and regulatory requirements related to PA practice within the US healthcare system
4.4 Understand the PA’s role and responsibilities in healthcare
4.5 Know how to identify, report, and respond to threats to patient safety and medical errors
4.6 Demonstrate respect for patient privacy in the delivery of patient care
4.7 Understand the need for continuous quality improvement initiatives
5. Interprofessionalism
5.1 Recognize the importance of working collaboratively in interprofessional teams to meet the needs of patients
5.2 Recognize when referrals are needed, and make them to the appropriate health care provider
6. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
6.1 Understand standards of care in clinical practice as developed and defined by widely recognized and respected expert medical groups
6.2 Utilize information technology to evaluate medical literature to inform medical decision-making
6.3 Translate medical knowledge through scholarly inquiry and discovery
6.4 Reflect on feedback to develop professionally as a lifelong learner of medicine
7. Society and Population Health
7.1 Recognize the impact of genetics on health outcomes
7.2 Demonstrate the impact of social determinants of health on patient outcomes
7.3 Recognize the impact of implicit and explicit bias on patient outcomes