Compliance With Accreditation Standards on Diversity: Is Institutional Support the Missing Link?

Journal

The journal of physician assistant education : the official journal of the Physician Assistant Education Association
ISSN: 1941-9449
Titre abrégé: J Physician Assist Educ
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101298201

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
16 Oct 2024
Historique:
medline: 25 10 2024
pubmed: 25 10 2024
entrez: 25 10 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

The role of accreditation standards in fostering diversity and inclusion in academic programs remains poorly understood. Accreditation is one approach to increasing diversity through Standard A1.11. This study investigates the impact of the Accreditation Review Commission-Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) standards on diversity and inclusion in physician assistant (PA) programs and explores challenges faced by programs in achieving compliance. This qualitative exploratory study first reviewed diversity standards in accreditation documents among selected health professions; second, data on the frequency of citations from ARC-PA related to diversity were gathered and analyzed; finally, opinions from 23 PA faculty and leaders were solicited through semistructured interviews. Two research team members analyzed the data to identify themes. Most institutions sponsoring PA programs had preexisting diversity policies before the inception of standard A1.11 of the ARC-PA. Between June 2020 and March 2023, seven programs received 16 citations related to Standard A1.11. Interviews with faculty revealed 4 major themes: (1) the importance of institutional support, (2) early pipeline development of applicants, (3) prioritizing faculty and/or student diversity as key program goals, and (4) local context, with institutional support and pipeline development being most prominent. The inclusion of Standard A1.11 in the ARC-PA Standards signifies the growing recognition of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in PA education. Institutions can advance DEI in the PA profession by leveraging accreditation-related activities through leadership, partnerships, and accountability measures consistent with the institution's mission and applicable laws. Institutional support emerged as an important factor in compliance with diversity-related accreditation standards.

Identifiants

DOI: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000618 PMID: 39451009
pubmed: 39451009
doi: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000618
pii: 01367895-990000000-00184
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 PA Education Association.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Références

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Auteurs

Shani Fleming (S)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Violet Kulo (V)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Andrew Stakem (A)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Karen L Gordes (KL)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Hyun-Jin Jun (HJ)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Emilie Ludeman (E)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

James F Cawley (JF)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Gerald Kayingo (G)

Shani Fleming is associate professor in the Physician Assistant Program and the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Violet Kulo is associate professor and program director of the PhD in Health Professions Education, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew Stakem is accreditation specialist-data analyst in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Karen L. Gordes is program director of the MS HPE program, and associate professor, in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Hyun-Jin Jun is assistant professor of Health Professions Education and Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Emilie Ludeman, MSLIS is research and education librarian and Affiliated Faculty Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, is professor and scholar-in-residence in the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gerald Kayingo is executive director of the Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, professor, and assistant dean in the Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

Classifications MeSH