Program Competencies
The Baylor University Physician Assistant Program competencies define the knowledge, skills, professional behaviors, and clinical abilities required of graduates upon program completion. These competencies are based on a distillation of the Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates and are organized into nine domains that collectively reflect expectations for entry‑level PA practice. The framework encompasses the following competency areas: (a) clinical and technical skills, (b) clinical reasoning and problem‑solving abilities, (c) interpersonal skills, (d) medical knowledge, and (e) professional behaviors. Together, the domains and associated competencies guide curriculum design, assessment, and program evaluation to ensure that graduates are prepared to deliver high‑quality, patient‑centered care across diverse clinical settings and populations.
Competency 1.1: Demonstrate sufficient breadth and depth of medical knowledge to enter PA practice. (Medical Knowledge)
Competency 2.1: Incorporate patient characteristics into clinical decision-making. (Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities)
Competency 2.2: Reflect on limitations in clinical care. (Professional Behaviors)
Competency 3.1: Develop therapeutic relationships with patients. (Interpersonal Skills)
Competency 3.2: Communicate medical information in a manner patients can understand. (Interpersonal Skills)
Competency 4.1: Advocate for patient-centered care. (Professional Behaviors)
Competency 4.2: Apply coordinated care within interprofessional teams. (Professional Behaviors)
Competency 5.1: Demonstrate accountability for professional actions. (Professional Behaviors)
Competency 6.1: Apply the role of the PA to health systems. (Professional Behaviors)
Competency 7.1: Perform a patient history and physical examination. (Clinical and Technical Skills)
Competency 7.2: Apply diagnostic studies to clinical care. (Clinical and Technical Skills)
Competency 7.3: Create medical documentation. (Clinical and Technical Skills)
Competency 8.1: Perform primary care-focused technical skills. (Clinical and Technical Skills)
Competency 9.1: Create appropriate diagnoses based on clinical information. (Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities)
Competency 9.2: Create appropriate management plans based on clinical information. (Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities)