1. Rachel Carlson Jeanie McHugo
Program Directors Workshop 101
Student Remediation
Rachel Carlson
Jeanie McHugo

2. Remediation
PA faculty are often challenged to manage the thin line between remediation and “spoon feeding”. In this session, participants will explore the relationship between institutional missions, principles of pedagogy, and remediation.
By the end of this session, learners will be able to:
Define remediation
Analyze remediation goals
Describe how remediation goals relate to PA education and the mission of a program

3. What ?
The act or process of remedying something that is undesirable or deficient.
An intervention to avert a potentially poor situation or outcome
"Remediation." Thefreedictionary.com, n.d. June

4. Why Remediate Second opportunity Fast paced curriculum w/ high stakes
Pro
Con
Second opportunity
Fast paced curriculum w/ high stakes
Vast curricula content
Increase access to the profession/ diversity of perspectives
Required (?)
Other?
Perceived as “spoon feeding”; creates an unrealistic condition
Creates a two-tier system
Promotes concept of second chances Unfair/biased
Other?

5. ARC PA Accreditation Standards
C3.03 The program must monitor and document the progress of each student in a manner that promptly identifies deficiencies in knowledge or skills and establishes means for remediation.

6. Guiding Principles Assess institutional principles Decide, in advance
If yes, under what conditions
If no, state clearly
Align policies and procedures with institutional principles
(the program is the institution)

7. Define Remediation Goals
Address potential outcome of at risk students
Supplement students facing multiple competing demands
Supplement those with varied learning and integration capacities

8. What may be remediated? Didactic exams Expository papers
Direct observation and simulation exams
Clinical experience/clerkship performance
Professionalism ratings

9. When might remediation be an option?
Conditions
When might remediation be an option?
Assessed performance falls within a defined number of points or percent score, required for passing
On one assessment, more than one, any or all?
In one, in any course or in all courses
In didactic phase, clinical phase or both

10. For Whom? Remediation is not an ADA accommodation
If in policy, conditions and procedures for implementation must be specified and available to all
ADA Accommodation-special intervention for individuals with documented, special need (s).

11. Remediation Strategies
Clinical activities
Independent study
Precepted, exam review
Organized group activities for deficits in history-taking, physical examination, knowledge, clinical reasoning, professionalism, and communication
Additional assessments (re-exams)
Multilayered assessments

12. Implementation
Involve students in their remediation plan or student may propose a plan
Identify common steps and resources that can be used for different levels of remedial study.
Determine success factors
Communicate the plan in writing, sign and file
Hold a faculty student conference to go over the details and expectations, including time line and deal breakers.

13. Document, sign and file Make it official
Signature Required
Document, sign and file Make it official

14. Remediation Policy Template (example)
Definition of Remediation
Remediable competencies
Types of Remediation levels
Self, Course Exam/Assignment, Course/Program Level
Remediation Activities
Evaluation tool

15. Remediation Exercise (Case Studies)

16. Pitfalls to Avoid Subjectivity Personality based
Poorly defined expectations
Poor monitoring and follow through
Other potential problems

17. In summary, Assess and determine if remediation is an option
Establish policies and procedures that define the goals, conditions, expectations and outcome

18. References
ARC-PA Standards for Accreditation, 4th edition Cleland J, Leggett H, Sandars, J et al. The remediation challenge: Theoretical and methodological insights from a systematic review. Medical Education, 2013: 47, doi: /medu Does remediation work for all students? How the effects of postsecondary remedial and developmental courses vary by level of academic preparation. An NCPR Working Paper National Center for Postsecondary Research. Teachers College, Columbia University, : 2010-Sep Ending college remediation: Consequences for access and opportunity. Hauer KE, Ciccone A, Henzel TR et al. Remediation of the deficiency of physicians across the continuum from medical school to practice: a thematic review of the literature. Academic Medicine, 2009: 84, Makhani L, Bradley R, Wong J et al. A framework for successful remediation within allied health programs: strategies based on existing literature. J Med Imaging Rad Science, 2012: 43, doi: /j.jmir Saxena V, O'Sullivan PS, Teherani A, Irby DM, Hauer KE. Remediation techniques for student performance problems after a comprehensive clinical skills assessment. Acad Med May;84(5): doi: /ACM.0b013e31819fa832.