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Capstone Project

DMSc students learn to become expert problem solvers!

What is the DMSc Capstone project?

  • Determine a problem that exists in your place of practice and learn how to solve it.
  • Design your project built around applying evidence-based knowledge to enhance your place of practice.
  • Work with your faculty mentor and stakeholders. Collaborate with colleagues and co-workers in larger group projects! 
  • Develop, execute, evaluate and present findings to peers, faculty and professionals.
    • This includes a written defense.

Share your ideas with faculty prior to applying. Experience Pitt's collaborative Doctor of Medical Science environment now!


Contact an enrollment specialist to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with faculty to discuss problems you would like to see addressed in your area of practice (ie. your project idea!) before submitting your application!

See some examples of past student projects below.

Clinical PA Projects with a Clinical Focus: 

  • Digital Discharge Instructions: Surveying Patient Perceived Health Literacy of Laceration Care Discharge Instructions with Digital Document Delivery 
    • Setting: Emergency Department/Urgent Care
  • The Sustainable Effect of Staff Education on Utilization of Oral COVID-19 Therapeutics in Southwestern Pennsylvania Long-term Care Facilities Over Time
    • Setting: Long-Term Care Facilities
  • The SMART Standards: Improving the Non-Technical Skills of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Teams
    • Setting: Critical Care Medicine
  • Improving Access to Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients Through the Creation of Multispecialty Clinics 
    • Setting: Pediatric Hematology and Pulmonary Clinics
  • Socioeconomic Barriers and Poor Health Outcomes: The Detrimental Correlation in the Pediatric Population and How Resource Awareness Yields Improvement 
    • Setting: Pediatric Practice 
  • Improving Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Education for Primary Care Providers
    • Setting: VA Health System
  • Satisfaction and Confidence with Physician Assistants Conducting Orthopedic Telemedicine Appointments 
    • Setting: VA Health System
    • Read more about this alumnus' experience!

Clinical PA Projects with an Administrative or Process-oriented Focus: 

  • Improving Order Entry for Emergency Department Observation Unit Patients
    • Setting: Emergency Department
  • The Role of Wellness in Reducing Burnout in Healthcare Workers 
    • Setting: Family Medicine Practice
  • Improving Triage Time for Patient Messages in the Office Setting
    • Setting: Pain Management
  • Implementing a Workflow Change to Better Facilitate Hospitalist Consults for Orthopedic Patients 
    • Setting: Hospitalist Medicine
  • Impact of Executing a Triage System in the Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic 
    • Setting: Medical Oncology

Academic PA Projects:

  • Improving Professionalism Competency in Clinical Year Physician Assistant Students through the Use of an Online Learning Module 
    • Setting: University PA Programs
  • Improving Physician Assistant Students’ Inhaler Technique Competence
    • Setting: University PA Programs