An Analysis of the Selection Criteria for Postgraduate Physician Assistant Residency and Fellowship Programs in the United States

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the admission criteria used by PA postgraduate education programs in selecting licensed PA applicants for postgraduate training in the United States. To our knowledge, there have been no previously published reports on selection criteria and/or other factors influencing postgraduate PA admission decisions. This study both draws on and builds upon previous research conducted by Vasco Deon Kidd et. al in exploring the characteristics of PA postgraduate education programs in the United States.Method A non-experimental, descriptive research study was designed to obtain information from members of the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP). ResultsTwenty-three out of 73 postgraduate programs (35.1%) responded to the survey; the low response rate in our survey may have been attributed to the resurgence of COVID-19 fueled by the delta variant. Nevertheless, the study reported that applicant PAs and NPs are largely selected on the basis of several factors. The most heavily weighted factor is the interview itself; other selection criteria perceived to be extremely/very important included board certification/eligibility, letters of recommendation, advanced degree, and personal essay. Survey data suggest that publications, undergraduate transcripts, and class rankings are not considered to be of high importance in applicant selection. The total cost of training a PA resident or fellow in postgraduate programs is currently $93,000 whereas the average cost of training a categorical physician resident is estimated at $150,000 per year when considering both salary and benefits. The number of PA applicants applying to each postgraduate training program averages around 26 and total number of enrollees is 3.6 per program.ConclusionsThis is the first study to examine criteria and others factors used by postgraduate PA programs in selecting candidates for admission. Results can be used by postgraduate programs for quality improvement initiatives related to including additional or modifying current selection criteria to improve the quality of trainee selection. Further research is needed to examine correlations between applicant attributes, selection criteria, and trainee success in completing postgraduate training.

An Evaluation of the Postgraduate Physician Assistant/Associate and Nurse Practitioner Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship and Residency Websites in the United States

“…For example, Hart and Bowen surveyed several hundred licensed NPs and reported that 90% of them felt either "well prepared" or "somewhat prepared" for practice upon completion of their NP program and expressed interest in transition-to-practice opportunities through a formalized training program such as a residency [9]. Although, there are several descriptive cross-sectional studies describing programmatic functions and educational characteristics of PA and NP postgraduate fellowship/residency programs [7,[10][11][12][13], the effect of PA and NP formalized specialty training on patient outcomes is unknown. Notwithstanding the fact that PA postgraduate residency/fellowship training has been around for nearly 50 years and NP residency training for almost two decades, some prospective applicants may be unaware of how to obtain information about these specialty training opportunities.…”

“…Currently, there is no national resident matching program or centralized application-processing service available to licensed PAs and NPs interested in pursuing postgraduate residency/fellowship training [10]. Therefore, prospective orthopedic surgery PA and NP applicants often use the internet as a source of information when researching and applying for these specialty training programs.…”

Optimal Use of Advanced Practice Providers at an Academic Medical Center: A First Year Retrospective Review

“…PAs are trained as generalist in the medical model while NPs are trained based on a speci c population foci. Postgraduate training options in the form of residencies or fellowships exist but are not a requirement for PA and NP entry-level practice or state licensure [3][4][5]. PAs and NPs clinically practice in various areas of medicine and are integral to a highly effective team-based care model.…”