How to Update PA Programs About Continued Patient Care Hours: A Comprehensive Guide

Gaining admission to a Physician Assistant (PA) program is a highly competitive endeavor. Beyond academic excellence and prerequisite coursework, demonstrating substantial direct patient care experience is a critical component of a successful application. PA programs value hands-on experience, as it provides applicants with invaluable insights into the healthcare field, reinforces their commitment to patient care, and equips them with practical skills essential for their future roles as PAs. Many applicants accumulate patient care hours right up to the application deadline – and sometimes even beyond. This raises a vital question for prospective PA students: How To Update Pa Programs About Continued Patient Care Hours after submitting your application?

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best practices for informing PA programs about your ongoing patient care hours. It emphasizes effective communication strategies, ethical considerations, and actionable steps to ensure your application remains as compelling and up-to-date as possible. While specific policies may vary between programs, the principles outlined here are broadly applicable and designed to maximize your chances of admission by highlighting your continued dedication to gaining relevant experience.

Why Updating PA Programs About Continued Patient Care Hours is Crucial

Submitting your application to PA programs is a significant milestone, but in many ways, it’s not the end of the process. The time between application submission and admission decisions can span several months. During this period, many ambitious applicants continue to accrue patient care hours. Failing to inform programs about these additional hours can be a missed opportunity to strengthen your application.

Here’s why keeping PA programs updated is essential:

Demonstrates Continued Commitment: PA programs seek candidates who are genuinely dedicated to healthcare and patient service. Continuously gaining patient care experience after submitting your application showcases your proactive nature and unwavering commitment to your chosen career path. It signals that you are not resting on your past achievements but actively seeking opportunities to learn and grow within the healthcare environment.
Enhances Application Strength: In the highly competitive landscape of PA program admissions, every detail matters. Increased patient care hours can significantly enhance the overall strength of your application. It provides concrete evidence of your growing skills, exposure to diverse patient populations, and deepening understanding of healthcare settings. For applicants who might be borderline in certain areas, updated hours can be a deciding factor in securing an interview or acceptance.
Reflects Growth and Development: Patient care experiences are not just about accumulating numbers; they are about personal and professional growth. Continued hours often translate to increased responsibilities, enhanced clinical skills, and a more nuanced understanding of patient interactions. Updating programs allows you to subtly highlight this development and present a more mature and experienced version of yourself compared to when you initially applied.
Addresses Application Timelines: Application cycles are inherently static snapshots in time. The hours you listed on your CASPA application reflect your experience up to a specific date. Updating programs bridges this gap and provides a more current picture of your qualifications, ensuring that admissions committees have the most relevant information when making their decisions.
Shows Proactiveness and Professionalism: Taking the initiative to update programs demonstrates proactiveness, organization, and strong communication skills – all highly valued qualities in future PAs. It shows you are engaged in the application process, attentive to detail, and understand the importance of keeping relevant parties informed.

The Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, home to the Physician Assistant Program, emphasizes practical experience and continuous learning for aspiring PAs.

When Should You Update PA Programs About Patient Care Hours?

Determining the right time to update PA programs about your continued patient care hours is crucial for effective communication. Over-communicating can be perceived as excessive, while under-communicating might lead to missed opportunities. Here are key scenarios when updates are appropriate and beneficial:

Significant Increase in Hours: A substantial increase in patient care hours is definitely worth communicating. What constitutes “significant” can be subjective, but generally, an increase of 50-100 hours or more, especially in a short period, is noteworthy. For example, if you initially applied with 600 hours and have since accumulated an additional 150 hours in a few months, this is a meaningful update.
Change in Role or Setting: If you transition to a new patient care role that offers more advanced responsibilities or exposure to a different patient population, informing programs is advisable. For instance, moving from a medical scribe position to an Emergency Department Technician role represents a significant shift in the depth and nature of patient interaction.
Major Milestones or Achievements: If you achieve a significant milestone in your patient care role, such as obtaining a certification (e.g., EMT certification, CNA certification) or taking on leadership responsibilities, this can be valuable information to share. These achievements demonstrate initiative and enhanced skills within your patient care setting.
Before Interviews: Definitely update programs before your interview, if invited. This ensures that interviewers have the most current picture of your qualifications and allows you to discuss your recent experiences during the interview. It shows you are actively engaged and continuing to grow, which can impress the interview committee.
In the Period Between Application Submission and Final Decisions: This entire period is generally open for updates, especially if you have significant new developments. However, be mindful of application deadlines and program-specific communication guidelines. Avoid sending updates too frequently, as this can become burdensome for admissions committees. Strategic, well-timed updates are more effective.
Responding to Program Inquiries: If a program specifically requests updated information or asks about your current activities, respond promptly and thoroughly. This is a clear invitation to provide updates and should be treated as a priority.

Conversely, avoid sending updates for minor or incremental increases in hours (e.g., updating every week for an additional 5-10 hours). Focus on providing updates that are genuinely meaningful and demonstrate substantial progress or new developments in your patient care experience.

How to Effectively Update PA Programs: Methods and Best Practices

Now that we’ve established why and when to update PA programs, let’s delve into how to do it effectively. The method of updating programs will depend on the specific program’s guidelines and the stage of the application cycle.

1. Check Program-Specific Instructions:

Website and Application Portal: Begin by thoroughly reviewing each PA program’s website and application portal for specific instructions on submitting updates. Some programs may have dedicated sections or forms for updates, while others may outline preferred communication methods (e.g., email, portal messaging). Pay close attention to any deadlines or restrictions mentioned.
Application FAQs and Contact Information: Consult the program’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for guidance on updates. If the website or portal doesn’t provide clear instructions, look for the program’s admissions contact information (usually an email address or phone number) and reach out to inquire about the preferred method for submitting updates.

2. Utilize CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) When Possible:

CASPA Application Updates (If Available): CASPA may offer a feature to update certain aspects of your application after submission. Check the CASPA website or help resources to see if updating patient care hours is possible and within the permitted timeframe. If CASPA allows updates, this is often the most streamlined and preferred method, as it directly integrates with your application.
CASPA Academic Update: While primarily for coursework, CASPA’s Academic Update period might, in some cases, allow for minor updates to experiences. However, confirm with CASPA and the specific programs if this is an appropriate avenue for updating patient care hours, as its primary purpose is for academic information.

3. Direct Communication with PA Programs:

If CASPA updates are not feasible or program-specific instructions direct you to communicate directly, use the following methods:

Email: Email is generally an acceptable method for sending updates, especially if a program doesn’t specify a different channel.
- Subject Line: Use a clear and concise subject line, such as “Application Update – [Your Name] – CASPA ID [Your CASPA ID]”.
- Professional Tone: Maintain a professional and respectful tone in your email. Address the admissions committee or designated contact person appropriately.
- Concise and Focused Content: Keep your update brief and focused solely on the new patient care hours. Avoid lengthy narratives or extraneous information.
- Quantifiable Information: Provide specific, quantifiable details about your updated hours. For example: “Since submitting my application on [Date], I have accrued an additional [Number] hours as a [Your Role] at [Facility Name], bringing my total patient care hours to [New Total]. These hours include [briefly mention key responsibilities or experiences gained].”
- Attachment (Optional): In some cases, you might consider attaching a brief, updated resume or a simple document summarizing your updated hours. However, keep attachments minimal and ensure they are professionally formatted. Prioritize the email body for the key information.
Program-Specific Portal or Messaging System: Some programs may have their own application portals or messaging systems that allow for direct communication. If available, use these systems as instructed by the program, as they are often designed for efficient communication within the application process.
Avoid Phone Calls for Initial Updates: Unless explicitly instructed, avoid calling PA programs to provide initial updates about patient care hours. Phone calls can be disruptive to admissions staff. Email or portal messaging is generally preferred for initial written updates. Phone calls might be appropriate for follow-up questions or clarifications if needed after an initial email update.

4. Content of Your Update:

Regardless of the communication method, ensure your update is:

Concise: Get straight to the point and avoid unnecessary details. Admissions committees are busy, so brevity is appreciated.
Clear: Use clear and unambiguous language. State the specific number of additional hours, your role, and the time period during which they were accrued.
Professional: Maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout your communication.
Accurate: Ensure the information you provide is accurate and verifiable.
Relevant: Focus solely on the updated patient care hours and any significant changes in your role or responsibilities.
Well-Timed: Send updates strategically, as discussed earlier, focusing on significant increases or milestones, and especially before interviews.

Drexel University PA Program students gain hands-on clinical experience, emphasizing the importance of patient interaction and practical skills development.

Drexel University PA Program and Patient Care Hour Updates: Applying General Principles

While the Drexel University Physician Assistant Program website, like many others, primarily focuses on initial application requirements and deadlines, the general principles of updating PA programs about continued patient care hours still apply. Here’s how you can approach updates in the context of the Drexel program, based on the information available and best practices:

Review Drexel PA Program Website: Start by carefully reviewing the Drexel PA Program’s official website, specifically the admissions section. Look for any explicitly stated policies or preferred methods for submitting application updates. While the provided text doesn’t directly address post-submission updates for patient care hours, it emphasizes contacting [email protected] for general inquiries. This email address could be a reasonable point of contact for update inquiries as well.
CASPA Academic Update (Check Applicability): During the CASPA Academic Update window, check if Drexel PA program accepts updates through this CASPA feature. Consult both CASPA guidelines and Drexel’s program website or admissions contact for clarification.
Direct Email to Admissions Contact: If no specific update method is outlined, sending a concise and professional email to [email protected] is a reasonable approach. Use a clear subject line (e.g., “Application Update – [Your Name] – CASPA ID [Your CASPA ID]”) and follow the best practices for email updates outlined earlier.
Focus on Significant Updates: As with any PA program, prioritize updating Drexel PA program about significant increases in patient care hours, changes in role, or major achievements. Avoid sending updates for minor hour increments.
Pre-Interview Update: If you are invited for an interview at Drexel, ensure you send an update about your most recent patient care hours before your interview date. This will allow interviewers to have the most current information about your experience.
Professionalism is Key: Throughout all communication with Drexel PA program, maintain a high level of professionalism, courtesy, and respect. Adhere to the program’s communication preferences and guidelines as closely as possible.

Important Note: Since program-specific update policies can change, it is always best to directly verify the preferred update method with the Drexel University PA Program admissions office or refer to the most current information available on their official website. The general guidance provided in this article is designed to be broadly applicable, but program-specific instructions always take precedence.

General Best Practices for Updating PA Programs

To summarize and reinforce the key principles, here are general best practices for updating PA programs about continued patient care hours:

Be Proactive, But Strategic: Take initiative to update programs when you have significant new information, but be strategic and avoid over-communicating.
Prioritize Program Instructions: Always check and adhere to each PA program’s specific guidelines and preferred methods for submitting updates.
Communicate Professionally: Maintain a professional, respectful, and courteous tone in all your communications.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your updates brief, focused, and easy to understand.
Provide Quantifiable Information: Include specific numbers and timeframes for your updated patient care hours.
Update Before Interviews: Always update programs before your interview to ensure interviewers have your most current information.
Keep Records of Communication: Maintain copies of all updates you send to PA programs for your records.
Respect Program Staff Time: Be mindful that admissions committees are busy. Make your updates efficient and easy to process.
Accuracy and Honesty: Ensure all information you provide is accurate and truthful.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your continued commitment to patient care and enhance your application to PA programs. Remember that demonstrating ongoing experience and proactive communication are valuable assets in the competitive PA school admissions process. Keeping programs informed about your continued growth and dedication can significantly strengthen your candidacy and increase your chances of acceptance into your desired PA program.