Where Is the Line? Supporting Students in the Discomfort Zone

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

12:30 PM – 1:20 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Archives (M4 Level)

CMEs: 0.75

Primary Speaker(s)

Rachel Ditoro, EdD, MSPAS, PA-C (she/her/hers)

Program Director
Salus University
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Slides

Co-Speaker(s)

Laura R. Gerstner, DHSc, MHA, PA-C (she/her/hers)

Chair & Program Director
Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina
Nicholas M. Hudak, PhD, MPA, MSEd, PA-C (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
James Kelly, MMS, PA-C (he/him/his)

Assistant Professor
Salus University
Swedesboro, New Jersey

Disclosure(s):

Rachel Ditoro, EdD, MSPAS, PA-C: No financial relationships to disclose

Laura R. Gerstner, DHSc, MHA, PA-C: No financial relationships to disclose

Nicholas M. Hudak, PhD, MPA, MSEd, PA-C: No financial relationships to disclose

James Kelly, MMS, PA-C: No financial relationships to disclose

Description: Students need support differentiating between the discomfort associated with new learning versus mistreatment, as the former builds resilience and the latter can lead to burnout and mental health problems. Session facilitators will share educational strategies with participants to support students in their understanding and response to acceptable stress and discomfort.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of PA educators and preceptors in identifying gaps in student knowledge and providing guidance and support to address those gaps
Distinguish between unnecessary harm for a learner and the inherent discomfort of learning something new
Discuss educational strategies to support learners in their understanding and response to acceptable stress and discomfort
Apply shared strategies to student case-based vignettes addressing acceptable discomfort and mistreatment