RMU MPAS Program PANCE Performance Data
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is a computer-based, multiple-choice, board certification exam that assesses basic medical and surgical knowledge. This examination must be successfully passed in order for graduates to become eligible for licensure.
The table below is designed to present PANCE performance data for graduates of the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program.
Class | Aggregate | First-Time Takers (FTT) |
---|---|---|
2024 | 100% |
100% (50/50) |
2023 | 100% |
98% (48/49) |
2022 | 98% |
94% (45/48) |
2021 | 100% |
93% (43/46) |
2020 | 100% |
96% (49/51) |
2019 | 100% |
100% (49/49) |
2018 | 100% |
100%(48/48) |
2017 | 100% |
91% (41/45) |
5-year NCCPA Performance Summary |
National PANCE Performance Data
Student Attrition and Graduation Rates
Graduated Classes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Class of 2022 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | ||
Maximum entering class size ( as approved by ARC- PA) | 50 | 50 | 50 | |
Entering class size | 50 | 50 | 50 | |
Graduates | 49 | 50 | 50 | |
* Attrition | 4% | 4% | 0% | |
**Graduation rate | 98% | 100% | 100% | |
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size. **Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size. |
Additional notes for each graduated class:
- Class of 2022- Two students voluntarily withdrew in the first year. A student who withdrew from the class of 2021 for medical reasons successfully re-enrolled, joining the class of 2022.
- Class of 2023- One student voluntarily withdrew in the first semester. Another student had a delayed graduation after a medical leave of absence. These two are represented by the 4% attrition, although one of them did graduate later. A student who withdrew from the class of 2021 for medical reasons successfully re-enrolled, joining the class of 2023.
- Class of 2024- All 50 students who matriculated remained enrolled and successfully graduated in August of 2024.
Notes about current cohorts (as of October 2024):
- Class of 2025- 47 of the 50 matriculants remain enrolled and are currently participating in supervised clinical practice experiences of the clinical year. Attrition rate is currently 6%.
- Class of 2026- 50 of the 50 matriculants remain enrolled and are currently participating in didactic coursework. Attrition rate is currently 0%.
MPAS Program Goals Performance Data
Goal 1:
Develop students with a primary care mindset, trained in comprehensive and general medicine, who engage in collaborative practice.
- How: This goal is measured through an annual audit of the PA program curriculum, standardized assessments, and multidisciplinary seminars. The PA program strives to deliver a broad curriculum that allows students to perform at or above the national average in ≥80% of the medical content and task areas on the PACKRAT and PANCE examinations. The PA program also has an early didactic course called Primary Care Fundamentals and we strive to achieve a benchmark of ≥90% of students completing the final exam with a score of ≥80%. Additionally, PA students enrolled in the program participate in multidisciplinary learning activities hosted by RMUoHP’s Interprofessional Practice and Education (IPE) committee. The program strives to have ≥90% of didactic students participate in all required IPE activities during the didactic year.
- Success of achieving goal: The class of 2023 performed at or above the national average in 91% of medical content and task areas on the PANCE (all exams). The class of 2024 performed at or above the national average in 75% of medical content and task areas on the PACKRAT. In summer 2023, 100% of the cohort scored greater than 80% on the final exam in the Primary Care Fundamentals course. In 2023, 100% of students participated in the program-required IPE activities provided by the university.
Goal 2:
Promote the principles of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to facilitate the spirit of clinical inquiry and life-long learning.
- How: This goal is measured through an annual audit of the PA program curriculum and assessment of specific EBP assignments throughout the curriculum. The PA program strives to have ≥80% of the courses in the curriculum contain EBP-specific objectives. The PA program has didactic assignments evaluating students’ ability to acquire, appraise, and apply EBP, and clinical assignments consisting of a Practice Standards Challenge and an Applied Scholarly Project Final Manuscript. The PA Program strives to achieve a benchmark of ≥90% of students completing the assignments with a score of ≥80%.
- Success of achieving goal: In 2023, 86% of courses in the PA curriculum contained EBP specific objectives. For the cohort that most recently completed the didactic phase of the curriculum (Class of 2024), 100% of students successfully completed both didactic EBP assignments with a score of ≥80%. For the cohort that most recently completed the clinical phase of the curriculum (Class of 2023), 100% of students successfully completed both clinical EBP assignments with a score of ≥80%.
Goal 3:
Promote professional excellence and growth throughout the curriculum to facilitate professionalism and self-development.
- How: This goal is measured through an annual audit of the PA program curriculum and assessment of specific professionalism assessments and activities. During all seven semesters of the curriculum, PA students are enrolled in a Professional Development course. During the first semester of the program, students create a Cohort Mission Statement that is read during the White Coat Ceremony. Each semester during the didactic curriculum, students complete self and peer professionalism evaluations. For an assignment during the first Professional Development course, each student completes a Personal Mission Statement assignment. For an assignment during the seventh Professional Development course, each student completes a Professional Growth and Development Reflective Writing assignment. The PA Program strives to achieve a benchmark of ≥90% of students completing these two assignments with a score of ≥80%.
- Success of achieving goal: For the cohort that most recently completed the didactic phase of the curriculum (Class of 2024), 100% of students successfully completed the Personal Mission Statement assignment with a score of ≥80%. For the cohort that most recently completed the clinical phase of the curriculum (Class of 2023), 100% of students successfully completed the Professional Growth and Development Reflective Writing with a score of ≥80%.
Goal 4:
Develop faculty members who are trained in teaching and learning, and who are engaged in ongoing post-graduate training or scholarship.
- How: This goal is measured through an annual audit of the PA program faculty members and their continued professional development. The PA program strives to have all principal faculty members complete the Basic Faculty Skills workshop offered by the Physician Assistant Education Association within six months of joining the program. The PA program also strives to achieve a benchmark of ≥80% of faculty members actively engaged in post-professional graduate training or scholarly work. Additionally, the PA program also strives to achieve a benchmark of ≥80% of full-time faculty members participating in at least six Faculty Development Webinars, PAEA’s Forum/Workshops, or other applicable CME conferences.
- Success of achieving goal: As of February 2024, one new faculty member joined the team in the past year. This new member of the team had previous PA education experience and already completed the Basic Faculty Skills workshop offered by the PAEA prior to joining RMU. Therefore, all faculty have completed this training. In 2023, 90% of faculty members were actively engaged in post-professional graduate training and/or scholarly work. In 2023, 100% faculty members participated in and completed at least six Faculty Development Webinars, PAEA’s Forum/Workshops, or other applicable CME conferences.