New PA Competencies Web Site Launched

A new Web site, developed jointly by PAEA, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, allows PAs to learn more about the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession project and, if they wish, to use a self-evaluation tool to determine their areas of strength and opportunities for professional growth. The site is located at www.nccpa.net/PAC/Competencies_home.aspx. A link to the site is also available on the PAEA home page and on the Web sites of the other three organizations.

The Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession document was developed jointly by the four major physician assistant organizations and approved by the all four organizations in 2005. The PAEA membership endorsed the document at its 2005 Education Forum in Puerto Rico.

The Web site includes a link to the Competencies document, the self-evaluation tool, and a list of references and resources. The results of the self-evaluation can guide PAs in selecting future CME and other self-improvement activities. A copy of the Competencies with information about the Web site is being mailed to all PAs.

As the Web site states, “ The true value of this document, and of the competencies it describes, will be in how these are incorporated into the practice, training, and continuing education and evaluation of PAs. Our four organizations are exploring opportunities to refine and retool our programs to reflect these competencies.”