Given the expanding role of physician assistants (PAs) in pediatric well care, it is important to consider their role in improving early detection of autism. In this session, findings will be presented from a partnered study with the University of Colorado School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, examining PA retention and application of autism knowledge during pediatric clinical rotations. Through interviews and document review, this qualitative study sought to understand the PA students' perspectives, as well as the challenges experienced by the curriculum committee as they sought to incorporate autism training into the program. Implications of the findings will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the rationale behind providing physician assistant (PA) students with high quality training in autism identification and referral.
Identify one barrier to PA retention of autism knowledge, and one enabling element, identified in this study.
Discuss some reasons the PA students found it challenging to talk with families about autism, and their suggestions for supporting their learning in this area.
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