A Comparison of PACKRAT Scores between Bachelor and Master Curriculum Students in one PA Program

Edwards, Kaiser, Lobbes, Peterson, SatterblomButler University/Clarian Health Physician Assistant Program

INTRODUCTIONPACKRAT – a multiple choice exam

patterned after the PANCE

Butler University PA ProgramRecently change from a Bachelor’s

Degree (BS) program to a Master’s Degree (MS) program.

PACKRAT is a good predictor of the PANCE1

Higher PANCE pass rates were achieved by MS students when compared to BS students2

PANCE pass rates and overall scores were higher for MS students as compared to BS students3

A review of the literature revealed no published studies that analyzed the difference between MS programs and BS programs on PACKRAT performance.

PURPOSETo evaluate the difference between the

means of PACKRAT scores of two independent groups of PA students

Research Question: Does the mean score for the PACKRAT exam for the first Master’s class exceed that of the last Bachelor’s class?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESISThe mean PACKRAT score for the

Master’s class of 2008 will exceed the mean PACKRAT score of the Bachelor’s class of 2006.

METHODSRetrospective observational explanatory studyVariables

DV – PACKRAT scoreIDV – Bachelor or Master program

Subjects included students enrolled in Butler University’s PA Program classes of 2006 and 2008

Exam scores and demographic data were obtained from Professor Don Frosch.

Analyzed using an independent t test with SPSS version 15.0

IRB approval was obtained for this studya priori power analysis yielded a recommended sample

size of 78

RESULTS

  

Based on the sample means tested, there is no evidence that PACKRAT scores for the Master’s class exceeds the PACKRAT scores of the Bachelor’s class. [t (66.76) = -1.271, p > .05].

CONCLUSIONSThe Master’s class PACKRAT scores did

not exceed the Bachelor’s class scoresThe Research Hypothesis was incorrect

and the null retainedThe unexpected results could be

explained by small sample sizeStrength

The two groups were equal with regards to Demographic data

Assumptions Parent populations are normally

distributedMajor Limitations

Curriculum and instructor changes Different version of PACKRAT Lack of Master’s program maturation

Potentially important for determining the benefit of changing from a Bachelor’s to a Master’s program

Recommendations Reevaluate after Master’s curriculum

matures and more classes can be compared

REFERENCES:1. Wilson DE. PACKRAT: A predictor of success on

the PANCE [master’s thesis].Wichita, Ks: Wichita State University; 2006.

2. McDowell L, Clemens D, Frosch D. Analysis of physician assistant program performance on the PANCE based on degree granted, length of curriculum, and duration of accreditation. Perspective on Physician Assistant Education. 1999;10:180-184.

3. Hooker RS, Hess B, Cipher D. A comparison of physician assistant programs by national certification examination scores. Perspective on Physician Assistant Education. 2002;13:81-86.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Our thanks to Professors Donald Frosch and

Jennifer Snyder for assisting in our project

Levene’s test t testF Sig. t df Sig.

PACKRAT SCORE

Equal variances assumed 7.108 0.010 -1.261 70.00 0.106

Equal variances not assumed -1.271 66.76 0.104

Class N Mean Std. Dev

PACKRAT SCORE

2006 35 125.94 11.732008 37 130.05 15.55

SG7SG7