Foundation Programs
THE EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE
In 2005, four national PA organizations adopted a shared definition of PA competencies. (Click here for more information about that initiative.)
Building on that effort, in 2007 the NCCPA Foundation started a dialogue about PA excellence. Tapping current and former national leaders and award-winning PAs for their insights—plus surveying more than 300 PAs at the annual AAPA conference—the Foundation gathered many ideas about what it means to achieve excellence as a certified PA. The following definition emerged from that dialogue:
An excellent certified physician assistant is one who:
- invests the time and energy needed to maintain currency of knowledge, continually seeking to learn more and applying that knowledge to practice
- provides high-quality, patient-centered care to all with compassion and empathy
- takes the time to listen to patients and address their concerns and questions, and communicates effectively with patients, their families and other members of the health care delivery team
- functions as an integral member of the health care delivery team, interacting professionally and respectfully with others, seeking help or guidance when needed, modeling ethical standards and working together with others for the benefit of patients
- inspires others through word and deed, giving selflessly of time and talent to serve the community and/or the PA profession through volunteering, teaching or actively participating in efforts to advance or promote the PA profession
Do you have other ideas? Tell us what "certified PA excellence" means to you!
Next we anticipate opportunities to develop research and educational materials that will promote the excellence concept within and about the profession of certified PAs.
