In this episode, hosts Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief of the Journal of PA Education, and Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, explore the vital role of mentorship in PA education with guests Victoria Louwagie, DMSc, MS, PA-C, and Brittany Strelow, DMSc, MS, PA-C. Drawing from their recent research, Louwagie and Strelow share insights into how mentorship—both formal and informal—supports the professional development of physician assistant students and practicing PAs alike. The conversation delves into current mentorship models, examines key challenges, and considers opportunities for future research to strengthen mentorship pathways across the PA profession.

Show notes

JPAE article: Student Mentorship Pathways Within Physician Assistant/Associate Training Programs: A National Survey

In this episode, hosts Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief of the Journal of PA Education, and Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, sit down with Stephanie Neary, PhD, MPA, PA-C, assistant professor and director of didactic education at the Yale PA Online Program, to explore her recent JPAE article, “The Drivers and Barriers of Clinical Health Professions Student Flourishing: An Integrative Review.” Dr. Neary unpacks the evolving concept of flourishing in student wellness research and shares key takeaways from her review—including the vital role of relationships, institutional support, and individual mindset. The conversation also dives into the real-world tension between academic demands and personal well-being, and the rigorous process behind synthesizing this kind of research. Whether you’re an educator, student, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into what helps students truly thrive.

This episode is sponsored by DxR Development Group.

The JPAE Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, hosts Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief of the Journal of PA Education, and Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, sit down with three contributors to a recent JPAE article on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in PA programs. Guests Patrick Bafuma, PA-C (University of New Mexico), Janelle Bludorn, MS, PA-C (Duke University PA Program), and Michael Breunig, MPAS, PA-C (Mayo Clinic PA Program) share their insights on the development of the study, including its rationale, methodology, and key findings. The conversation explores expert recommendations for integrating POCUS into PA curricula, the importance of establishing foundational ultrasound knowledge, prioritizing key applications, and finding the right balance between classroom instruction and clinical experience. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities in moving toward standardized POCUS education across programs nationwide.

Show notes

JPAE article: Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curricula in Physician Assistant Programs: Recommendations From a Panel of Experts

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, as they chat with Ryan White, PhD,  assistant professor and director of clinical site development and practice in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice at the Rutgers School of Health Professions. In this episode, Dr. White breaks down the data behind clinical training site compensation, highlighting key trends, regional differences, and the factors driving payment increases. The conversation explores how these shifts impact PA education costs, student enrollment, and the future of clinical training. Tune in for expert insights into this evolving landscape.

Show notes

JPAE article: Describing the Physician Associate Clinical Training Site Compensation Market

The JPAE Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, as they chat with Erika Francis, PA-C, an associate professor and interim program director in the Division of Physician Assistant Studies at Shenandoah University. Dr. Francis shares key findings from her scoping review on assessing the professional behaviors of Physician Assistant (PA) students through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). She discusses her research process, including methodological choices, challenges, and the critical role of communication skills in professional behavior assessment. The conversation also explores gaps in existing literature, the lack of a uniform definition of professional behaviors, and how librarians can support research efforts.

Show notes

JPAE article: Assessing Professional Behaviors of Physician Assistant Students in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations: A Scoping Review

In this episode, Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief of the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor at Northeastern University, welcome Dr. Vanessa Bester, Director of the School of Health at Augsburg University, and Dr. Carolyn Bradley-Guidry, associate dean for student affairs and engagement at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Together, they discuss their impactful JPAE article, “What Works? Fostering Inclusivity in Physician Assistant/Associate Education.” The conversation explores their research findings and the ROAD (Retention, Outreach, Alignment, Diversity) framework, which offers actionable strategies for building inclusive PA programs. Highlights include their methodology—featuring interviews with high-performing PA programs—and practical approaches like holistic admissions, pathway initiatives, and continuous improvement in diversity efforts. 

Show notes

JPAE article: What Works? Fostering Inclusivity in Physician Assistant/Associate Education: The Retention, Outreach, Alignment, and Diversity (ROAD) Framework

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, as they chat with Kandi Pitchford, director of outcomes, assessment and capstone at South College; Casey Geiser, PA-C, PA with Hartford Hospital; and Lauren Souza, PA-C, PA with Southern Maine Health Care, about their recent article in JPAE titled "Assessing Student-Reported Perceptions of Prerequisite Usefulness in Preparation for Didactic Physician Assistant Education." Their research explores the perceived disconnect between prerequisite courses and their practical value in PA training. They discuss how popular prerequisites like anatomy and physiology are viewed favorably, while courses like organic chemistry are seen as less useful. This conversation suggests the need for a standardized list of prerequisites that better aligns with PA program demands.

Show notes

JPAE article: Assessing Student-Reported Perceptions of Prerequisite Usefulness in Preparation for Didactic Physician Assistant Education

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, as they chat with Nick Hudak, PhD, MPA, MSEd, PA-C, associate professor in family medicine and community health at Duke University about his recent article in JPAE titled "Predictors of Physician Assistant Student Mistreatment Reporting." Hudak shares key insights from his research, as well as his experiences as a peer reviewer and associate editor for the journal. The conversation explores how factors like policy communication, program characteristics, and student demographics impact mistreatment reporting. Notably, the seriousness of the mistreatment and student age emerged as significant predictors of reporting behavior. This episode emphasizes the need for continued research and the creation of supportive environments to help address mistreatment in educational settings, underscoring the role of well-developed policy frameworks and reporting systems.

Show notes

JPAE article: Predictors of Physician Assistant Student Mistreatment Reporting

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education, and co-host Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, chair and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at Northeastern University, as they chats with April Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C, Associate Program Director of the Duke University Physician Assistant Program about her recent article in JPAE titled "Burnout, Personal, and Occupational Factors as Predictors of Physician Assistant Faculty Intent to Leave After the COVID-19 Pandemic." The conversation highlights key factors affecting faculty intent to leave, such as workplace climate and culture, and the importance of institutional support. Dr. Stouder also emphasizes the role of validated research instruments in her study and shares insights into her methodical approach. The episode underscores the critical need for better support systems to retain qualified PA educators.

Show notes

JPAE article: Burnout, Personal, and Occupational Factors as Predictors of Physician Assistant Faculty Intent to Leave After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Join Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, editor-in-chief for the Journal of PA Education as he chats with Dr. Brenda Quincy, a professor in the Doctor of Medical Science-Bridge Program at Butler University, and Dr. Cody Sasek, an associate professor and the program director of the Doctor of Medical Science-Bridge Program at Butler University. In this episode, they delve into the benefits and challenges of pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) degree, touching on issues like social desirability bias, the financial burden, and gaps in understanding about doctoral education. They also highlight the importance of collaboration in PA education research, emphasizing the role of educational experts in shaping literature reviews and study design.

This episode is sponsored by PCS.

Show notes

JPAE article:  Physician Assistant Student Perceptions of the Benefits of and Barriers to a Doctor of Medical Science Degree

The JPAE Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.