Lysa Diggins

By Lysa Diggins, MMS, PA-C, and Tiffany Perry, MMSc, PA-C

Healthcare education continues to evolve as the demands of a rapidly growing medical landscape continue to shape future providers. As we face a growing, aging population, technological advancements, and the shifting dynamics of patient care, it is imperative that healthcare education adapts to reflect this transition. More specifically, Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) programs must equip students with not only medical knowledge and clinical skill set, but also the ability to critically think through the nuances of healthcare administration and challenges of modern medicine. We prepare our students to consider how not every patient will present with textbook findings, making it essential for them to think critically as a clinician, adapt their skillset, and alter their workup accordingly. The ability to consider atypical presentations and “think outside the box” is vital to avoid missed or delayed diagnoses, ultimately ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

As most PA students begin their journey in healthcare prior to the start of PA school, focusing PA education on evidence-based medicine is of utmost importance but, patient centered healthcare is also imperative. This certainly doesn’t exclude the soft skills one will learn in regards to empathy, bed side manner and establishing a rapport with patients. At South University West Palm Beach Physician Assistant Program, our PA program goals include “fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity for students, faculty and staff by means of education and resources” and “providing opportunities for local community service and outreach that fosters a commitment to reducing health disparities.” Throughout our program, students have numerous opportunities to learn and implement these skills through lab courses, applied learning experiences, as well as our community outreach initiatives. In addition, our graduate Capstone project is built upon a desire to represent and meet the needs of the local communities we aim to serve. We select diverse cohorts of students to attend our program, whom express an interest in working with underserved communities and exhibit leadership qualities.

Early in the didactic phase of our program, students experience various patient encounters through our unique Applied Learning Experience course where they are able to obtain a medical history, perform physical exams and document the encounter including their physical exam findings. Students also participate in the Back-to-School Palm Beach County event annually where they are able to perform physical exams on pediatric patients in surrounding communities. Through these community programs, PA students are not only practicing their bedside manner and physical exam skills, but they are thinking critically and developing interpersonal skills when discussing plans of care. The PA students may also be challenged depending on the presentation of symptoms or an asymptomatic patient presentation. Either way, these programs ensure exposure to encounters our PA students can reflect upon as they embark on their professional career as healthcare providers.

In September 2024, the South University West Palm Beach, Physician Assistant Program was recognized by the Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization, as an Outstanding Community Impact and Partner Award recipient. This recognition highlights only one way in which the program continues to support the local community and value the integration of students into their communities at the forefront of our educational curriculum.

Going forward, the future of healthcare as we know it depends on the quality of education we provide to the next generation of clinicians. Much of this education must happen outside of the classroom, and we are eager to support those initiatives at South University. By embracing new technologies, diverse teaching methodologies, and a strong emphasis on critical thinking, we can prepare future providers to excel in dynamic clinical environments. It is our responsibility as clinicians to ensure healthcare education remains a cornerstone of quality patient care for future generations.

Lysa Diggins is Program Director – South University, West Palm Beach Physician Assistant Program. Tiffany Perry is Assistant Director of Clinical Education- South University, West Palm Beach Physician Assistant Program.