The aim of this study was to compare the acceptability of self-collected vs clinician-collected human papillomavirus (HPV) tests. Utilising a cross-sectional approach, 250 non-pregnant, 25-60-year-old women from Leon, Nicaragua self-collected vaginal swabs and brushes for HPV and received a pelvic examination for liquid-based cytology and reflex HPV. Subjects underwent colposcopy, with biopsy if indicated, and completed questionnaires comparing their perceptions of HPV testing methods. Acceptability indices were significantly higher for self-collected brushes (M = 18.40, SD = 2.73) and swabs (M = 18.48, SD = 2.41) than clinician-collection (M = 17.56, SD = 2.92), p < 0.001. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age, education, and reproductive history were not significant predictors of acceptability. A total of 81.1% of subjects reported they would self-collect in the future. Self-collected HPV tests are highly acceptable in terms of pain, comfort, privacy and embarrassment, and are thus a viable method of screening in low-resource areas.

Purpose This study described the assumptions that PA educators hold regarding the option and/or transition to a doctoral entry-level degree for PA graduates.Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey of all members of accredited PA programs was administered. The survey comprised 32 Likert-type statements that measured respondents' level of agreement ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree and general demographic information. Mean scores are reported for each Likert statement and then compared with analysis of variance and post hoc testing for subgroups of baseline variables.Results Responses indicate wide-ranging opinions regarding the adoption of an entry-level doctoral degree for PAs. However, the preponderance of responses appeared more neutral or in opposition to an entry-level doctoral degree. The statement with the strongest level of agreement was that "consideration of the entry-level doctoral degree was really about competing with advanced practice nurses." Educators who were PAs and those who were physicians differed significantly in their responses for 17 of 32 statements.Conclusion Most respondents believed that the master's degree is "enough for clinical practice." If there is not a deliberate discussion informing the transition to a doctoral entry-level degree, then the change is likely to occur at the individual program level as it did with the transition from a certificate to a bachelor's degree and then to a master's degree. If the PA profession moves to the acceptance of an entry-level doctoral degree, the PA professional organizations should continue to be involved in developing a measured plan forward.

The aim of the study was to compare the sensitivity of self-collected with clinician-collected human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and cytology for cervical cancer. A total of 250 non-pregnant, 25 -60-year-old women from Leon, Nicaragua, self-collected vaginal specimens for HPV and received a pelvic examination for cytology and refl ex HPV. All participants underwent colposcopy and completed questionnaires regarding demographic and medical information. The sensitivities of self-collected brushes, self-collected swabs and cliniciancollected HPV tests were 25%, 16.7%, and 16.7%, respectively, with colposcopy as the gold standard and 30%, 22.2% and 40% when cytology was the gold standard. Agreement between self-collection methods was signifi cant ( k ‫؍‬ 0.84, p < 0.001). Although utilisation of colposcopy in every participant resulted in lower sensitivities, the self-collected tests surpassed cytology and signifi cantly agreed with the clinician-collected results. Further clarifi cation of the sensitivity will be required to employ self-collection for cervical cancer screening in low resource areas like rural Nicaragua.

Introduction This study's aim was to examine prerequisite course requirements and compare them to previous studies with a secondary aim to examine potential differences relative to program characteristics.Methods Data were extracted from the websites of 265 entry-level physician assistant (PA) programs from October 2020 until December 2020. Course prerequisites as well as number of courses and semester hours required were described and examined according to program location, phase, Carnegie Classification, association with a medical school, and the public/private status of the sponsoring institution.Results Of 264 PA programs, more than 50% of programs required 6 common prerequisites: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics, general chemistry, and psychology. The total number of unique prerequisite courses was 28 for all programs with a reduction in humanities and social sciences semester hours compared to previous studies and a slight increase in credit hours required for the common 6 courses. Total prerequisite hours and courses required were higher for master's programs; private, not-for-profit programs; newly established programs; and those not associated with a medical school. Newer programs are generally located in private, not-for-profit educational institutions that are not associated with a medical school. Programs in the Mountain Division required a lower number of prerequisites, and the South Region required the greatest number of prerequisite courses and semester hours.Discussion The present study demonstrates a difference in prerequisite requirements across the country. This could translate to increased cost and a potential barrier to those considering a career as a PA.