Theresa Hegmann1. 1. Theresa Hegmann, MPAS, PA-C, is a clinical professor and director of curriculum and evaluation in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Services, Carver College of Medicine, at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Admissions criteria for physician assistant (PA) schools vary considerably, but they often involve a combination of academic measures, noncognitive "humanistic" qualities, and mission-related items. To address noncognitive attributes, some PA schools have implemented the multiple mini-interview (MMI) format developed at McMaster University in Canada. This research project looked at differences in interview scores by gender over 3 consecutive admissions cycles at one PA program. METHODS: Three years of pre-existing de-identified data gathered as part of the routine admissions process were analyzed retrospectively using SPSS-v25. RESULTS: Data were available for all interviewees for 2015, 2016, and 2017 (N = 350 total). Between-group differences were not statistically significant by gender. Reliability (Cronbach's α) was 0.865 for academic scoring and 0.694 for MMI scoring. DISCUSSION: Analysis of 3 years of admissions data from a single program did not show evidence for gender bias in MMI scores. Although this result is reassuring, it requires continued monitoring and replication.
PURPOSE: Admissions criteria for physician assistant (PA) schools vary considerably, but they often involve a combination of academic measures, noncognitive "humanistic" qualities, and mission-related items. To address noncognitive attributes, some PA schools have implemented the multiple mini-interview (MMI) format developed at McMaster University in Canada. This research project looked at differences in interview scores by gender over 3 consecutive admissions cycles at one PA program. METHODS: Three years of pre-existing de-identified data gathered as part of the routine admissions process were analyzed retrospectively using SPSS-v25. RESULTS: Data were available for all interviewees for 2015, 2016, and 2017 (N = 350 total). Between-group differences were not statistically significant by gender. Reliability (Cronbach's α) was 0.865 for academic scoring and 0.694 for MMI scoring. DISCUSSION: Analysis of 3 years of admissions data from a single program did not show evidence for gender bias in MMI scores. Although this result is reassuring, it requires continued monitoring and replication.