GVSU PAS PROGRAM MISSION

To prepare highly competent physician assistants who embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; lead and advance the profession; and provide quality patient-centered healthcare in all communities and settings.

GVSU PAS Program Goals

1. MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE IN PATIENT CARE: To provide physician assistant students with the knowledge and clinical skills to deliver effective and equitable healthcare.
   • The GVSU PAS program is effective in meeting PAS Program Goal #1. The PAS program demonstrates its efficacy in meeting this goal through Medical Knowledge, Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Systems-Based Practice competency assessments.

2. PROFESSIONALISM: To inspire students to model the professional values and ethical behaviors expected of physician assistants.
   • The GVSU PAS program is effective in meeting PAS Program Goal #2. The PAS program demonstrates its efficacy in meeting this goal through Professionalism competency assessments.

3. COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE: To develop the interpersonal skills necessary for physician assistant students to communicate with patients and work effectively in interprofessional health care teams.
   • The GVSU PAS program is effective in meeting PAS Program Goal #3. The PAS program demonstrates its efficacy in meeting this goal through Interpersonal and Communication Skills and Systems-Based Practice competency assessments.

4. LIFELONG LEARNING: To develop the skills necessary for physician assistant students to appraise and assimilate medical literature applicable for clinical practice and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and lifelong learning.
   • The GVSU PAS program is effective in meeting PAS Program Goal #4. The PAS program demonstrates its efficacy in meeting this goal through Practice-Based Learning and Proficiency Improvement and Systems-Based Practice Competency Assessments.

GVSU PAS Program Competency Domains

1.  Medical Knowledge: Demonstrates Medical Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning, and Problem-Solving Ability of Sufficient Breadth and Depth to Practice medicine as an entry-level Physician Assistant.
2. Patient Care: Provide person-centered care that includes patient- and setting-specific assessment, evaluation, management, and health promotion.
3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication skills needed to have respectful, compassionate, and effective conversations with patients, patients' families, and health professionals to exchange information and make medical decisions.
4. Professionalism: Commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and adhering to ethical principles and practice.
5. Practice-Based Learning and Proficiency Improvement: Demonstrate the ability to acquire, appraise and apply evidence-based medicine to classroom activities and patient care, as well as accurately assess and improve classroom and clinical performance based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.
6. Systems-Based Practice: Demonstrate the ability to engage with various other healthcare professionals in a manner that optimizes patient care within the context of the larger healthcare system.