Faculty members in the MS in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies program at 黑料传送门 are addressing critical gaps in clinical training by providing students with enhanced experiential learning opportunities.
Nicole Daher, MS, PA-C, and Jolene Bohensky, MS, PA-C, associate professors at 黑料传送门, and Ashley Griffin, MMSC, PA-C, an assistant professor at 黑料传送门 Georgia, are leading an effort to improve physician assistant (PA) student preparation for obstetrical care鈥攁 crucial yet challenging aspect of clinical education. The availability of women鈥檚 health clinical rotation sites that offer obstetrical experiences has become increasingly limited, creating a significant barrier to comprehensive student training. To bridge this gap, Griffin, Daher, and Bohensky have developed a novel approach that integrates obstetrical simulation into the PA curriculum.
鈥淲omen鈥檚 health is a vital aspect of the PA curriculum and to societal health,鈥� Griffin explained. 鈥淚t can be difficult to understand the vast conditions (in women鈥檚 health), and often conditions can be overlooked.鈥� The research team鈥檚 goal is to foster innovation within physician assistant education, enhancing student preparation and confidence in addressing a broad range of women鈥檚 health conditions and disease states.
The team鈥檚 approach involves conducting obstetrical simulation exercises that mimic real-world clinical scenarios. These simulations offer students a safe, controlled environment to practice hands-on skills, refine clinical reasoning, and develop essential teamwork and communication abilities. To assess the impact of these exercises, the team administered pre- and post-activity surveys to students, measuring changes in confidence and preparedness.
鈥淚 hope students learn that simulation is a valuable experience that enhances knowledge and clinical skills.鈥�
Nicole Daher, MS, PA-C
鈥淚 was surprised by the overwhelming positive response the students reported to the activity,鈥� Griffin noted. Given the positive results, the team plans to continue integrating obstetrical simulation into the curriculum for future PA cohorts.
Bohensky emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, stating, 鈥淭his innovative activity allows students to practice their clinical deductive reasoning skills, improve communication, and ultimately work together as a team鈥攁ll of which are integral components of being a member of a healthcare team.鈥�
Daher added that the simulations have significantly boosted students鈥� confidence in working within labor and delivery settings. 鈥淚 hope students learn that simulation is a valuable experience that enhances knowledge and clinical skills,鈥� she said.
Griffin, Daher and Bohensky aim to inspire other PA educators to consider similar approaches for supplementing obstetrical training.
鈥淚t has been a joyful experience to partner with colleagues in the same department on the sister campus to deliver the same material across both campuses and work with the simulation department to deploy our simulation experience,鈥� Griffin said.
Their findings have been compiled into an article that has been submitted to the (JPAE) and is currently pending review. The team hopes their work will contribute to a broader shift in how PA programs nationwide approach obstetrical education, ultimately enhancing the preparedness and confidence of future physician assistants in women鈥檚 health care.