Physician Assistant Goals and Outcomes | Springfield College

Physician Assistant Goals and Outcomes

PROGRAM GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND OUTCOMES

Goal 1: Academic Excellence

Educating PAs who have the medical knowledge and the clinical skills necessary to provide high quality medical care in a variety of clinical settings.

  • Set entrustable professional activities (EPA) to ensure excellence in medical knowledge and clinical skills.
    • Benchmark: Average of 85% or higher in each EPA.
EPADescription202520242023
1Gather and document essential, accurate information about patients thorough history-taking and physical examination91%90%94%
2Create a differential diagnosis using clinical patient information90%89%93%
3Identify and interpret diagnostic and screening tests when given clinical patient information89%89%93%
4Synthesize clinical information to determine appropriate orders and pharmacologic interventions89%89%93%
5Develop and implement patient-centered management and education plans90%89%93%
6Locate, critically evaluate, integrate and appropriately apply scientific evidence to patient care89%89%93%
8Perform general procedures of a physician assistant90%90%93%
10Provide preventative health care services and education90%90%93%


The percentage is calculated using the preceptor evaluation scores of all students in the cohort over all rotations in the year.

  • Employ faculty and staff members with a commitment to providing the highest standard didactic and clinical education.
    • Benchmark: Have 100% of faculty/staff positions filled.
Exit Survey202520242023
Faculty/Staff open positions010

 

  • The exit survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1).
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or higher.
Exit Survey202520242023
Average Faculty effectiveness4.784.364.63

 

  • The exit survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1).
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or higher.
Exit Survey202520242023
I feel prepared to take the PANCE4.884.574.73


Goal 2: Preparation for Graduation

Prepare graduating PAs throughout their education to provide quality patient care through: professionalism, effective communication and team work, and excellent medical knowledge.

  • Set entrustable professional activities (EPA) to ensure excellence in providing quality patient care in a variety of medical settings.
    • Benchmark: Average of 85% or higher in each EPA.
EPADescription202520242023
7Work and communicate effectively and professionally as a leader or member of an interprofessional health care team to provide patient-centered care91%92%95%
9Identify personal weaknesses and/or system failures in order to contribute to a culture of safety and improvement90%91%94%
11Recognize and develop strategies to address social determinants of health using culturally competent care90%90%93%

 

  • The exit survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1), with the following statements (average):
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or higher on each question
Exit Survey202520242023
The clinical curriculum was sufficient in preparation for meeting program competencies4.634.534.84
After completing the Springfield College PA program, I feel prepared as a new graduate to practice medicine.4.834.404.76

 

  • Students are prepared for graduation by demonstrating competence on the program defined summative exam.
    • Benchmark: 100% of students passing the summative exam.
Summative Exam202520242023
Passing percentage100100100


Goal 3: PANCE pass rate

To equip PA students with the comprehensive medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional competencies necessary to achieve successful first-time pass rates on the PANCE.

  • Pass rate of first time test takers on NCCPA PANCE.
    • Benchmark: Achieve a pass rate equal to the national average exam each year.
PANCE pass rate202520242023
 SCNationalSCNationalSCNational
(first time test takers)100%92%100%92%97%92%

 

  • The exit survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1).
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or higher.
Exit Survey202520242023
I feel prepared to take the PANCE4.884.574.73


Goal 4: Employment

Prepare PA graduates for successful employment and contribution to the healthcare workforce shortly after graduation.

  • Post-Graduate Employment Rate
    • Benchmark: A minimum of 90% of graduates employed within 1 year of graduation.
Exit Survey202520242023
Employment at 1 yearpending100%100%

 

  • The Exit Survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1);
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or higher.
Exit Survey202520242023
After completing the SC PA program, I feel prepared as a new graduate to practice medicine4.834.44.76

 

  • The Alumni Survey asks students to rate the following on a 5-point Likert scale from agree (5) to disagree (1);
    • Benchmark: Rating of 3.5 or.
Exit Survey2025
The curriculum was sufficient in preparation for my PA career4.52  

*Alumni Survey created 2025