Physician Assistant: Tracking Clinical Effectiveness Using Comprehensive Evaluation

This webinar, the second in Exxat's PA-focused webinar series, explored how physician assistant programs can leverage Exxat Prism to collect multi-stakeholder evidence of clinical effectiveness and support student success during clinical rotations. The session covered three evidence-gathering pillars within Exxat Prism: preceptor-based data through aggregate reports for placement-based forms and the Competency Tracking tool, program-level data through site assessment forms and personnel reports, and student-generated data through student evaluation of site and preceptor forms. Presenters also demonstrated a newly released Accreditation Reports section within Exxat Prism — an interactive, in-product resource that maps ARC-PA 6th edition standards directly to the reports and data available in the platform, designed to streamline self-study preparation.

Key Takeaways:

• Aggregate reports vs. Competency Tracking: Aggregate reports for placement-based forms in Exxat Prism are best suited for rotation-specific, point-in-time comparisons, while the Competency Tracking tool enables longitudinal tracking of student performance across multiple evaluations, settings, and ARC-PA-defined outcome areas.
• Combining data sources: Pairing competency tracker data with patient logging reports in Exxat Prism helps programs identify the root causes of student deficiencies — for example, distinguishing whether low competency scores reflect a student issue, a site issue, or insufficient patient exposure.
• Early identification tools: Low score indicators and response-based notifications in Exxat Prism alert program administrators immediately when a student scores below a defined threshold on a form or individual question, supporting timely intervention in line with ARC-PA accreditation requirements.
• Intervention documentation: The student intervention logging feature in Exxat Prism allows program administrators, DCEs, faculty advisors, and course faculty to document and track student support actions in one centralized location, with role-based access controls built around FERPA compliance.
• Site and preceptor vetting: Site assessment forms and personnel reports in Exxat Prism allow programs to standardize and aggregate preceptor qualification data, track license and certification expirations, and document site visit outcomes longitudinally.
• New Accreditation Reports feature: A newly released in-product section maps ARC-PA 6th edition standards to specific Exxat Prism reports, functioning as an interactive guide to help programs locate the data they need for self-study narratives without leaving the platform.
• Roadmap item noted: Future enhancements will allow programs to import results from external assessment tools such as PAEA exams and Examsoft directly into Exxat Prism's competency framework.

Dr. Vishaka Bhave is Vice President of Customer Experience at Exxat, bringing over 17 years of teaching and scholarship expertise, including her role as associate professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy; she leads the strategic direction of Exxat Prism to ensure product enhancements align with client needs. 

Carol Gorney is a professor and Director of Clinical Education at the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine PA program, where she oversees student learning outcomes and competency achievement during clinical year rotations; she drew on her clinical background in family medicine, emergency medicine, and obstetrics to provide practical, program-level insights throughout the session.

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