Oral potentially malignant disorders refer to oral mucosal disorders with increased risk for malignant transformation, primarily to oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are the most common of these disorders, but others have been identified. Transformation rates to oral cancer vary based on multiple factors. Healthcare providers should be aware of risk factors and clinical manifestations of these disorders and should intervene early to monitor and/or treat them to reduce the potential for malignant transformation.

MSPurpose: While existing physician assistant (PA) literature cites the need for more geriatric education to address the increasing demand in this field, there are no data on PA students' knowledge of aging, their attitudes toward geriatric care, or how knowledge, attitudes, and experience with the elderly may be related to interest in geriatric medicine. The goal of this study was to provide an initial assessment of these constructs and to compare our results to similar analyses conducted with other health care professionals. Methods: Eighty-five PA students from two separate MPA programs were surveyed at the conclusion of their professional studies. The two programs had different geriatric exposure and curricula. The survey instrument included the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ1), Maxwell-Sullivan Attitude ScaleRevised, and questions to assess experience with older adults and level of interest in geriatric medicine. Results: Knowledge of aging was low (FAQ1: 45.8%+11.5%), yet commensurate with a level achieved by other health care professional students on the FAQ1. Interest in geriatric medicine was significantly associated with higher knowledge of aging (r=.23; p=.04), but geriatric interest was not associated with positive attitudes toward aging or prior experience with the elderly. While attitudes toward older adults were generally positive, students who had been exposed to well elderly in their clerkships demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes toward elder patient care. Conclusions: The data support the increase of geriatric education and inclusion of exposure to well elderly in order to stimulate interest and optimally prepare PA students for professional careers in geriatric medicine.

This study confirmed previous research indicating that academic dishonesty exists in PA education. It also determined that clinical-year PA student attitudes toward and experiences with academic dishonesty vary.

patients to improve self-care. The workshop incorporated seminar discussions, lectures, role-play, and an assignment in which students were given a chronic illness and performed self-care tasks for two weeks. The impact on chronic care knowledge was measured by comparing preand post-workshop test scores. The impact on attitudes was measured using a pre-and post-workshop survey. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : Statistically significant changes in student attitudes and knowledge were noted following the workshop. While students' knowledge of the Chronic Care Model and strategies for chronic illness care increased, their confidence in their ability to deliver chronic care decreased. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on ns s: : As educators, we anticipated the workshop would improve student knowledge and student confidence in the management of patients with chronic illness. The data suggests that, although they better understood the chronic care model concepts and improved disease management strategies, students felt less confident following the workshop. Further research is required to assess this unexpected outcome and to determine: (1) why students' confidence decreased; (2) which educational interventions can improve confidence; and (3) whether this lack of confidence impacts graduates' career choices.