Physician Assistant Student Study Methods: What Works?
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Physician assistant (PA) students face a rapid transition into an academically demanding environment requiring a mastery of large volumes of information in a short period of time.
Despite strong admission standards that are present to gain acceptance to PA school, many students entering the health profession begin their training without effective, evidenced-based study strategies. Without effective study methods, students may experience increased stress, difficulty with retention of material, and poor academic performance, particularly when beginning their education.
Current literature supports active learning strategies such as retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and problem-based learning as effective methods for improving memory retention and long-term learning outcomes.
Retrieval practice, such as self-testing and practice questions, has been shown to strengthen recall and effectively prepare students for application of didactic year knowledge for future medical examinations.
The literature review aimed to identify effective study methods used by successful graduate health profession students. The results of the literature review are to be used to inform and support incoming PA students to aid in their adaption to the rigors of the PA graduate education.
In addition to the literature review information being communicated to incoming PA cohorts, communication directly from the Des Moines University PA Class of 2026 will be presented as well. This will detail their lived experience of successful study methods, their perceived benefit of study methods to positive academic outcomes, and how study habits progressed throughout the course of didactic year of PA school.
Publication Date
5-17-2026
Citation Information
Drew, Caleb, "Physician Assistant Student Study Methods: What Works?" (2026). Student Works Physician Assistant. 23.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/23
