Holistic Admissions and Underrepresented Minorities in Physician Assistant Programs

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess holistic review use in physician assistant (PA) programs and determine whether a relationship between holistic review and underrepresented minority (URM) matriculation exists. Methods Using data from the 2016–2017 Physician Assistant Education Association annual survey of PA programs, we examined the frequency of holistic review use across PA programs. Bivariate correlation analyses and binary logistic regression were used to examine relationships between holistic review practices and program percentages of first-year underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students. Results Most PA programs (169/219 [77.2%]) reported using holistic review, and its use modestly correlated with percentage of students who were underrepresented racial minorities (rho = 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02–0.30) or Hispanic (rho = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.06–0.33). Using several holistic review elements related to program commitment to diversity modestly correlated with percentage of students who were underrepresented racial minorities (rho = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10–0.39) or African American (rho = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.04–0.34). Additionally, the odds of a first-year student being an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority were slightly higher in PA programs using holistic review (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.23–1.99 and OR 1.33, 95% CI = 1.09–1.62, respectively). Conclusions PA program use of holistic review practices was modestly associated with percentage of URM students. Further research is needed to identify elements that are most effective.

An assessment of physician assistant student diversity in the United States: a snapshot for the healthcare workforce

“…The Physician Assistant (PA) profession has undergone phenomenal growth in the past 50 years; nonetheless areas of diversity, inclusion, and health care equity remain a challenge [1][2][3]. The percentage of minority PAs remains disproportionately small despite many efforts to increase workforce diversity over the past several decades [4][5][6][7]. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) reported that over 80% of practicing PAs were white from 2016-2020 [8].…”

Pipeline to the Physician Assistant Profession: A Look to the Future

“…23 Holistic admissions, as defined by the AAMC, "considers each applicant individually by balancing their academic metrics with experiences and attributes. 34 Coplan et al 35 reported that a large majority of PA programs use elements of holistic review in their admissions process, but use of holistic admissions was inconsistent in increasing URM student enrollment. Programs that used holistic review had, on average, a slight increase in average first-year URM matriculation compared with those that did not use holistic Defined Elements of Holistic Review 35 1) Broad-based selection criteria that are clearly linked to school mission and goals that promote diversity as a vital element for achieving excellence 2) Balanced consideration of applicants' experiences, attributes, and academic metrics 3) Individualized consideration of how each applicant might contribute to the learning environment and to the profession 4) Consideration of race and ethnicity (where legal) when such consideration is narrowly tailored to achieve mission-related educational goals…”

“…23 Holistic admissions, as defined by the AAMC, “considers each applicant individually by balancing their academic metrics with experiences and attributes. 34 Coplan et al 35 reported that a large majority of PA programs use elements of holistic review in their admissions process, but use of holistic admissions was inconsistent in increasing URM student enrollment. Programs that used holistic review had, on average, a slight increase in average first-year URM matriculation compared with those that did not use holistic admissions.…”

Fewer Words, More Action: Cultivating an Anti-Racist Environment Strategies/Solutions (CARES) Framework for Physician Assistant Education

“…Several studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between the implementation of a holistic review process and an increase in the number of BIPOC and overall diversity among admitted students in their respective healthcare programs. [17][18][19][20] Historically, PA programs have struggled with recruiting and admitting BIPOC individuals. 21 Utilizing the program mission or charge, vision, and goals is necessary to proceed with the development of a holistic-driven admissions process that will ultimately lead to a paradigm shift in the diversity of the PA profession.…”