In this episode, Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, president of the PA Education Association, is joined by Robert Furter, PhD, MBA, chief data officer and principal psychometrician at PAEA, along with Henry Makinde, PhD, for a conversation on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in assessment communications and item development. The discussion explores how PAEA Assessment is incorporating AI into the early stages of item drafting through a proprietary, AI-supported process, while maintaining the same rigorous peer review and validation standards already in place. The guests emphasize that AI-generated content serves only as a starting point, with human oversight remaining central to quality control and decision-making. They also examine common pitfalls organizations face when adopting AI, stressing the importance of clearly defining the problem before implementing new technology. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the need for structured oversight, including rubrics, checkpoints, documentation, and clear guardrails to support responsible use. The group also discusses the differences between open and closed AI systems, including PAEA’s use of OpenAI Enterprise to support data governance and security.

This episode is sponsored by Body Interact. Explore Body Interact’s new PA Virtual Simulation Catalog and see how it supports your curriculum: https://bodyinteract.com/physician-assistant.

All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, President of the PA Education Association, is joined by April Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C, of Duke University and Shalon Buchs, EdD, MHS, PA-C, of Florida State University to explore how post-pandemic shifts are reshaping PA education. They discuss the growing need for student support, as many learners face increased anxiety, gaps in social-emotional development, and more complex health and learning challenges. These shifts have placed additional demands on faculty, who are navigating increased responsibilities related to remediation, advising, leaves of absence, and the broader emotional aspects of student support. The guests share strategies for maintaining rigor while creating space for growth, including protected time, stronger faculty support, and using data alongside lived experiences to advocate for institutional change.

This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com.

All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, President of the Physician Assistant Education Association, sits down with Emma Sellers, MS, Chief Recruitment and Engagement Officer at the PA Education Association, and Justin McManus, Director of Admission Services at PAEA, to examine how admissions decisions shape PA program culture and the future workforce. They discuss mounting pressures on admissions teams and explore what traditional academic metrics do—and don’t—reveal about applicants. The conversation introduces comprehensive admissions review as a structured, mission-aligned approach that evaluates the whole applicant, from communication and resilience to professionalism and program fit. The episode also previews PAEA’s forthcoming comprehensive admissions toolkit, offering practical guidance, rubrics, and customizable resources to help programs implement fair, consistent, and efficient review processes.

This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com.

All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.