Relationships Between Pathophysiology Course Performance and Primary Care Didactic and Clinical Courses and NCCPA Board Scores

Abstract

In 2006, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UNDSMHS) Physician Assistant (PA) Program initiated a study to determine if relationships exist between the pathophysiology course performance and the clinical primary and didactic course performance and also on national board scores in a masters level Physician Assistant Program.Academic student achievement data were collected in a retrospective document review of students admitted into the UNDSMHS PA Pilot Project in 2006 following IRB approval (# 200804‐303). Data were analyzed using PASW version 17.0. Pearson correlation coefficients were produced and interpreted.Records of twenty‐nine students (12males/17 females) were reviewed for this study. Mean age and mean years of clinical experience upon matriculation were 36.9 years and 10.0 years respectively. Mean baccalaureate science GPA was 3.0, and overall mean GPA was 3.2. Results of the data analysis revealed significant and positive relationships between the pathophysiology performance and primary care didactic and clinical courses and also on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.Results of this study may cultivate discussions centering on PA Program prerequisites and admissions criteria. Additional data will be collected to verify these findings.