Vanessa Bester, EdD, PA-C, is an associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ramona Dorough, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Care Education, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
J Physician Assist Educ. 2024 Sep 1;35(3):262-269. doi: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000599. Epub 2024 May 28.
There are well-known strategies to increase diversity in health professions education, evidence is sparse on how such strategies are practically implemented and longitudinally sustained. This study investigated the most widely used strategies across physician assistant/associate (PA) educational programs that have consistently demonstrated the ability to graduate racial and ethnic underrepresented students.
Following a grounded theory, qualitative interviews were conducted with 41 nationally accredited PA programs identified as top performers in consistently graduating racial and ethnic underrepresented students. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a program representative focused on ascertaining the characteristics and strategies attributable to the successful recruitment and retention of underrepresented PA matriculants. The interviews comprehensively explored program resources, efforts, and practices. Transcripts were coded, and themes were identified.
The study revealed 4 overarching themes: (1) Pathways from the Community to the Program and Into Healthcare; (2) Dedication to Student Retention and Support; (3) Commitment to Diverse and Inclusive Learning Environments; and (4) Alignment of Mission, Inclusive Action, and Improving Diversity Outcomes. Based on these emerging themes, we propose a new diversity framework that hinges on Retention, Outreach, Alignment, and Diversity (ROAD Framework). This framework seeks to explain the overarching goals, high-impact behaviors, and actionable steps that can be effectively implemented across PA education to facilitate further diversification.
This study illuminated on What Works to foster diversity in PA programs. By embracing and implementing the ROAD Framework, institutions can effectively address the persistent issue of underrepresentation and contribute to cultivating a more inclusive and representative healthcare workforce.
有许多众所周知的策略可以增加医疗保健专业教育中的多样性，但关于这些策略如何实际实施和长期维持的证据却很少。本研究调查了在医师助理/助理（PA）教育项目中使用最广泛的策略，这些策略已经证明了有能力培养出少数民族裔的学生。
本研究采用扎根理论，对 41 个在培养少数民族裔医学生方面表现出色的全国认可的 PA 项目进行了定性访谈。与一个项目代表进行了半结构化访谈，重点是确定与成功招募和留住少数民族裔 PA 学员相关的特征和策略。这些访谈全面探讨了项目资源、努力和实践。对访谈记录进行了编码，并确定了主题。
研究揭示了 4 个总体主题：（1）从社区到项目再到医疗保健的途径；（2）致力于学生留任和支持；（3）致力于多样化和包容性学习环境；（4）使命、包容性行动和改善多样性成果的一致性。基于这些新兴主题，我们提出了一个新的多样性框架，该框架基于留任、拓展、一致性和多样性（ROAD 框架）。该框架旨在解释促进 PA 教育多样化的总体目标、高影响力行为和可操作步骤。
本研究阐明了在 PA 项目中促进多样性的有效方法。通过接受和实施 ROAD 框架，各机构可以有效地解决代表性不足的问题，为培养更具包容性和代表性的医疗保健劳动力做出贡献。
