School of Health Professions
Program Competencies
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Competency Domains and Program-Defined Learning Outcomes
The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Physician Assistant Program has developed a list of expected competencies, termed Program-Defined Learning Outcomes (PLOs), that are required for all Program graduates. Our Program competencies (PLOs) are derived from current competency-based medical education literature and are aligned with our Program’s unique mission and goals. Each individual PLO is mapped to at least one of the competency domains. As a requirement for graduation, students must demonstrate competency in each PLO and are assessed with the Program’s summative evaluations.
Competency Domains:
- Medical Knowledge
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Clinical & Technical Skills
- Professionalism & Professional Practice
- Clinical Reasoning & Problem Solving
Program-Defined Learning Outcomes
- PLO 1 – Demonstrate comprehensive biomedical and clinical knowledge across all major human organ systems
- PLO 2 – Distinguish between normal and abnormal health conditions and disease states
- PLO 3 – Elicit an appropriate patient history
- PLO 4 – Communicate clinical information verbally or via written documentation
- PLO 5 – Perform an appropriate physical examination
- PLO 6 – Select appropriate diagnostic tests
- PLO 7 – Formulate a patient-centered therapeutic management plan
- PLO 8 – Perform clinical procedures appropriately and safely
- PLO 9 – Demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors
- PLO 10 – Demonstrate application of knowledge of the PA role
- PLO 11 – Formulate an appropriate diagnosis
- PLO 12 – Develop an appropriate differential diagnosis list
- PLO 13 – Make clinical decisions using an evidence-based approach
- PLO 14 – Provide appropriate patient-centered education