T9D45632

Primary Care Training and Enhancement: Physician Assistant Rural Training Program - Mercy College of Ohio will implement a comprehensive rural training program to increase the number of primary care physician assistants who choose to practice in rural areas after graduation. Mercy College will also implement curricular changes to emphasize the unique health needs of rural populations, which will improve the education of all the enrolled physician assistant students.

Mercy College's Physician Assistant Program began in May 2021 with a cohort of 20 students. The cohort size will increase to 25, then to a cap of 30 in the next two years. Each year, eight PA trainees will complete a longitudinal clinical rotation at qualifying rural sites.

Mercy College plans to achieve this overarching goal through the following program objectives:

1. By year 5 (6.30.2027), 40 physician assistant students will be recruited into Mercy College's Rural Health Educational Track and will complete a longitudinal clinical training experience for 12 weeks in primary care at one of the identified rural practice sites.

2. By the end of year 1 (6.30.2023), curricular modifications addressing health disparities and social determinants for rural populations will be developed, approved, and instated in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies coursework.

3. By the end of year 5 (6.30.2027), Mercy College will implement an Interprofessional Learning Experience (IPE) needs assessment and will provide IPE opportunities for at least 50 rural clinical staff, rural preceptors, and the Rural Health Educational Track students.

4. By 6.30.2027, Mercy College will develop and instate a continuing education plan that will enhance the partnership between the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program and rural clinics and build the capacity of the rural partners to provide high-quality practicum experiences.

Mercy College's proposed activities address HRSA's priority to transform the workforce by targeting the need for more primary care practitioners in rural, underserved areas. This will be accomplished by establishing 1) rural clinical placements including student stipends, 2) didactic curricular modifications incorporating a rural population focus and enhanced instruction in telehealth, 3) enhanced community partnerships and IPE, 4) capacity-building activities for rural preceptors and clinical staff.

Mercy College requests a funding preference as a new program that meets the criteria of having a curriculum that prepares practitioners to serve underserved communities, substantial training in medically underserved areas, physical location in a medically underserved community, and placement mechanisms for medically underserved communities.

Mercy College Of Ohio

NOT APPLICABLE

93.884 - Primary Care Training and Enhancement

HRSA Office of Federal Assistance Management (OFAM) [HHS - HRSA]

Toledo, Ohio United States

City-Wide

Primary Care Training and Enhancement - Physician Assistant Rural Training (PCTE-PAR) Program (HRSA-22-044)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 244% from $146,644 to $504,886.