Course Descriptions
PA 520 - Physiology & Pathophysiology I - 3 credits
This course begins with basic science modules in cellular physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and immunology.
The course then begins the organ system approach that continues until the end of the year. Lectures will proceed through organ systems with presentations emphasizing normal physiology of that system followed by the pathophysiology of diseases important to that organ system. For each system, lecturers will discuss normal function, cellular changes, and pathological changes including inflammatory aspects, infectious conditions, and any neoplastic presentations where appropriate. Genetic mechanisms in health and disease will be integrated into each system where applicable. In addition, an understanding of the mechanisms that explain patient presentation and the rationale for ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests will also be included. This provides a foundation for the study of diseases in the Clinical Medicine courses. Clinical cases will be utilized.
Year 1, Fall Term
This course begins with foundation modules in the areas of:
- Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, to include:
- The cell and organelle structure and function
- The cell and organelle structure and function
- Cellular components associated with genetic mechanisms
- Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids with serum chemistry correlates
- Body fluids and serum electrolyte correlates
- Tissue types
- Introduction to Pathology, to include
- Acute and chronic inflammation
- Wound healing
- Immunology, to include:
- Genetic determinates of the immune system
This course integrates teaching in the pathophysiology of the following areas with specific clinical correlates:
- Hematology
- Immune Mediated Diseases
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease
- Neoplasia
This course emphasizes the following areas as they relate to the above organ systems and disease categories:
- The normal physiologic function of the areas presented
- The pathophysiology underlying the disease being studied, to include an understanding of the mechanisms that explain
- Patient presentation
- Ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests
- Disease management
PA 521 - Physiology & Pathophysiology II - 6 credits
Year 1, Spring Term
Lectures will proceed through organ systems with presentations emphasizing normal physiology of that system followed by the pathophysiology of diseases important to that organ system. For each system, lecturers will discuss normal function, cellular changes, and pathological changes including inflammatory aspects, infectious conditions, and any neoplastic presentations where appropriate. Genetic mechanisms in health and disease will be integrated into each system where applicable. In addition, an understanding of the mechanisms that explain patient presentation and the rationale for ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests will also be included. This provides a foundation for the study of diseases in the Clinical Medicine courses. Clinical cases will be utilized.
This semester, the areas/organ systems to be discussed are:
- HEENT (infectious diseases of this system were presented last semester)
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Renal and urinary systems
- Gastrointestinal system
- Dermatology
- Musculoskeletal system
PA 522 - Physiology & Pathophysiology III - 2 credits
Year 1, Summer Term
Lectures will proceed through organ systems with presentations emphasizing normal physiology of that system followed by the pathophysiology of diseases important to that organ system. For each system, lecturers will discuss normal function, cellular changes, and pathological changes including inflammatory aspects, infectious conditions, and any neoplastic presentations where appropriate. Genetic mechanisms in health and disease will be integrated into each system where applicable. In addition, an understanding of the mechanisms that explain patient presentation and the rationale for ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests will also be included. This provides a foundation for the study of diseases in the Clinical Medicine courses. Clinical cases will be utilized.
This semester, the areas/organ systems to be discussed are:
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
- Orthopedics
- Women’s health
- Men’s health
- Geriatric medicine
PA 530 - Clinical Medicine I - 4 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This is the first of three Clinical Medicine courses. Using an organ systems approach, Clinical Medicine I presents the diagnosis and management of the most common clinical conditions seen by primary care providers for specific organ systems. The course builds on lectures in normal physiology and pathophysiology in Physiology and Pathophysiology I and precedes an in depth discussion of treatment modalities in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics I. This course begins with two foundation modules in the areas of “Genetic Mechanisms in Health and Disease” and “Diagnostic Testing”. This course then provides instruction in evidence-based clinical medicine in the areas of:
- Anemias
- Coagulopathies
- Infectious Diseases by Causative Organism
- Infectious Diseases of the Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (HEENT)
- Immune Mediated Diseases
- Hematologic Oncology
This course emphasizes the following areas as they relate to the above disease processes:
- Epidemiology, to include where applicable:
- public health aspects
- racial, cultural, socioeconomic, age-related and other factors
- Clinical presentation, to include:
- patient history
- patient signs and symptoms
- physical examination findings
- Ordering and interpretation of appropriate diagnostic studies (or understand the “findings” of an imaging or other report), to include:
- genetic, serum, hematologic, imaging and other tools
- Development of a differential diagnosis
- Determination of a final diagnosis, to include:
- acute and chronic aspects of the disease
- prognosis
- Development and implementation of treatment plans, to include
- indications for referral and consultation
- treatment modalities (coordinated with Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics I)
- expected and other possible sequelae
- rehabilitative medicine
- Patient education and counseling, to include when appropriate
PA 531 - Clinical Medicine II - 7 credits
Year 1, Spring Term
This is the second of three Clinical Medicine courses. Using an organ systems approach, Clinical Medicine II presents the diagnosis and management of the most common clinical conditions seen by primary care providers for specific organ systems. The course builds on lectures in normal physiology and pathophysiology in Physiology and Pathophysiology II and precedes an in depth discussion of treatment modalities in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics II. The Advanced Clinical Skills I course this semester gives students a hands on opportunity to learn and practice diagnostic and treatment skills/ modalities specific to these organ systems.
This semester, the areas/organ systems to be discussed are:
- Dermatology
- HEENT (infectious diseases of this system were presented last semester)
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Renal and urinary systems
- Gastrointestinal system
This course emphasizes the following areas as they relate to the above areas/organ systems:
- Epidemiology, to include where applicable:
- public health aspects
- racial, cultural, socioeconomic, age-related and other factors
- Clinical presentation, to include:
- patient history
- patient signs and symptoms
- physical examination findings
- Ordering and interpretation of appropriate diagnostic studies (or understand the “findings” of an imaging or other report), to include:
- genetic, serum, hematologic, imaging and other tools
- Development of a differential diagnosis
- Determination of a final diagnosis, to include
- acute and chronic aspects of the disease
- prognosis
- Development and implementation of treatment plans, to include:
- indications for referral and consultation
- treatment modalities (coordinated with Clinical Therapeutics II)
- expected and other possible sequelae
- rehabilitative medicine
- Patient education and counseling, to include when appropriate:
- preventive medicine
- Patient education and counseling, to include when appropriate:
- preventive medicine
- genetic counseling
- issues related to communicable disease
- racial, cultural, socioeconomic, age-related and other issues
- end of life issues
- Evidence based medicine practice is weaved through the above areas where available and appropriate.
PA 532 - Clinical Medicine III - 7 credits
Year 1, Summer Term
This is the third of three Clinical Medicine courses. Using an organ systems approach, Clinical Medicine III presents the diagnosis and management of the most common clinical conditions seen by primary care providers for specific organ systems and our geriatric patients. The course builds on lectures in normal physiology and pathophysiology in Physiology and Pathophysiology III and precedes an in depth discussion of treatment modalities in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics III. The Advanced Clinical Skills II course this semester gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn and practice diagnostic and treatment skills/ modalities specific to these organ systems and patients.
This semester, the areas/organ systems to be discussed are:
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
- Orthopedics
- Women’s health
- Men’s health
- Geriatric medicine
This course emphasizes the following areas as they relate to the above disease processes:
- Epidemiology, to include where applicable:
- public health aspects
- racial, cultural, socioeconomic, age-related and other factors
- Clinical presentation, to include:
- patient history
- patient signs and symptoms
- physical examination findings
- Ordering and interpretation of appropriate diagnostic studies (or understand the “findings” of an imaging or other report), to include:
- genetic, serum, hematologic, imaging and other tools
- Development of a differential diagnosis.
- Determination of a final diagnosis, to include:
- acute and chronic aspects of the disease
- prognosis
- Development and implementation of treatment plans, to include:
- indications for referral and consultation
- treatment modalities (coordinated with Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics I)
- expected and other possible sequelae
- rehabilitative medicine
- Patient education and counseling, to include when appropriate:
- preventive medicine
- genetic counseling
- issues related to communicable disease
- racial, cultural, socioeconomic, age-related and other issues
- end of life issues
- Evidence based medicine practice is weaved through the above areas where available and appropriate.
PA 540 - Pharmacology & Clinical Therapeutics I - 2 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This is the first of three courses in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics. This first course will begin with an introduction to the general principles of pharmacology and the application of these principles to patient care situations. Students will learn the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, dosage forms and dose-response relationships.
The course then begins its presentation on classes of pharmaceuticals. This is coordinated with content in Physiology and Pathophysiology I and Clinical Medicine I. The focus is on mechanisms of drug action in different therapeutic classes, common side effects of prototypic drugs in each category, drug side effects and drug-drug interactions, the interaction of drugs with the disease state under treatment, polypharmacy, and reputable sources of information about drugs. The physiological basis and application of pharmaceutical agents in clinical cases will be presented.
The course will cover anti-microbials, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, and chemotherapeutic agents.
The final lectures will cover fluid and electrolyte replacement, anemia agents and coagulation/anticoagulation agents
PA 541 - Pharmacology & Clinical Therapeutics II - 3 credits
Year 1, Spring Term
This is the second in a three-semester course that teaches the principles of pharmacology and how to apply these principles to patient care situations. The focus is on mechanisms of drug action in different therapeutic classes, common side effects of prototypic drugs in each category, drug side effects and drug-drug interactions, the interaction of drugs with the disease state under treatment, polypharmacy, and reputable sources of information about drugs. The learning experience offered students is coordinated with that occurring in Physiology and Pathophysiology II and Clinical Medicine II. The course will involve lecture as well as clinically correlated cases.
Classes of drugs emphasized this semester are:
- Dermatologic Pharmacology
- Autonomic Drugs
- Cardiovascular- Renal Drugs
- Drugs with Important Actions on Smooth Muscle
- Drugs with Important Actions in the Musculoskeletal System
- Central Nervous System Drugs
- Drugs Used in Gastrointestinal Disease
PA 542 - Pharmacology & Clinical Therapeutics III - 2 credits
Year 1, Summer Term
This is the third in a three-semester course that teaches the principles of pharmacology and how to apply these principles to patient care situations. The focus is on mechanisms of drug action in different therapeutic classes, common side effects of prototypic drugs in each category, drug side effects and drug-drug interactions, the interaction of drugs with the disease state under treatment, polypharmacy, and reputable sources of information about drugs. The learning experience offered students is coordinated with that occurring in Physiology and Pathophysiology III and Clinical Medicine III. The course will involve lecture as well as clinically correlated cases.
Classes of drugs emphasized this semester are:
- Endocrine Drugs
- Pediatric and Perinatal Drugs
- Vaccines
- Electrolyte Replacement
- Transfusion Therapy
- General and Local Anesthetics
- Geriatric Drugs and Principles in Polypharmacy
- Over the Counter Drugs
PA 550 - Medical Microbiology - 2 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This course provides an overview of microbiology as it pertains to the practice of clinical medicine. This semester first includes instruction focused on the following pathogenic categories:
- Bacteria
- Rickettsia
- Mycobacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites
This course emphasizes the following areas as they relate to the above pathogenic categories:
- The classification, morphology, and normal biology (i.e., normal flora)
- The common pathophysiologic mechanisms
- The ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests, to include:
- The pathophysiology underlying the abnormal finding
- Molecular and genetic markers
- Clinical correlates for each category
The course concludes with lectures on the infectious agents of the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat (HEENT).
PA 537 - Pediatrics - 2 credits
Year 1, Summer Term
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the most common health problems affecting the pediatric patient from the newborn period through adolescence. The lectures focus on health promotion, disease prevention and screening, pathology identification, and patient education and counseling for the pediatric patient and his/her family.
PA 535 - Emergency Medicine -1 credit
Year 1, Summer Term
This course provides an approach to the diagnosis and management of common emergency conditions for primary care physician assistants. Topics include multiple trauma, chest trauma, abdominal trauma, shock, and cardiac emergencies. Students will become ACLS certified as a component of this course.
PA 536 - Surgery - 2 Credits
Year 1, Summer Term
This course is designed to prepare the PA student for the General Surgery rotation. General surgical concepts needed for the PA to function in major surgical areas as well as primary care settings are presented. The course emphasizes surgical techniques and emergency procedures, as well as asepsis, minor procedures, and anesthesia.
ANATOMY, CLINICAL ASSESSMENT & CLINICAL SKILLS
The anatomy and history and physical examination courses in the first term (Anatomy, Clinical Assessment I) will be integrated. Didactic lectures and cadaver-based laboratories comprise the anatomy course in the first term. This course introduces students to the topographical and internal anatomic structures such that they will be familiar with the anatomy of a body system just prior to learning the history and physical examination skills specific to that body system in the Clinical Assessment I course. Students will be introduced to normal radiographic and imaged anatomy in the anatomy course.
PA 510 - Anatomy I - Lecture 3 credits, Lab 2 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This comprehensive course is designed to provide Physician Assistant students with an extensive background in gross human anatomy through lecture, laboratory and independent learning exercises. Presentations will include the microanatomic study of organ systems and discussions of the embryologic basis for common clinical findings. The anatomy course will have a clinical emphasis. Lectures and labs will emphasize anatomy and anatomic relationships significant to common clinical medicine topics and surgical procedures.
The laboratory portion will consist of closely supervised dissection of cadavers, examination of prosected cadavers, models, plasticized specimens, diagnostic images (XR, CT, MRI), bones as well as audio/visual and state-of-the-art virtual anatomy programming.
PA-560 - Clinical Assessment I - 2 credit lecture, 2 credit lab
Year 1, Fall Term
This course is the first semester portion of a two-semester course designed to prepare the Physician Assistant student to obtain a complete history and perform a complete physical examination on any patient with special sensitivity to gender, age, and cultural background. This semester will concentrate on the adult patient and the second semester will focus on specific populations (pediatric, geriatric…) and focused histories and physical examinations on targeted body systems (dermatologic, cardiovascular, male rectal and genital, female breast and pelvic…). Students will progress, body system by body system during this semester.
The lectures will emphasize didactic instruction in these areas. Videotape and live demonstrations will also be used. Normal, normal variations and common abnormal physical exam findings will also be introduced. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the relationship of major signs and symptoms to their physiologic or pathophysiologic origins.
The laboratory will allow students to work in pairs with alternating roles as patient or PA provider to develop the history taking and examination skills discussed in lecture. Students will also work in small groups with faculty members to further develop these skills. Documentation of findings will be emphasized.
Students will practice their history taking and physical examination skills on residents of long term care facilities. Students will also, as the student preceptor allows, practice these skills during the clinical shadowing experience in the Clinical Problem Solving I (PA 581) course.
PA-561 - Clinical Assessment II - 2 credit lecture, 2 credit lab
Year 1, Spring Term
This course will use the competencies acquired in learning the complete adult interview and physical examination in PA 560 (Clinical Assessment I) as a base upon which to build learning experiences in this course. This course will first develop interview and physical examination skills pertinent to special populations, to include:
- Newborn
- Pediatric
- Pregnant
- Geriatric
- Disabled
- Patients requiring the use of a translator
The course will then develop focused interview and physical examination skills pertinent to specialized body areas/ systems, to include:
- Dermatologic
- HEENT
- Neurological
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Gastrointestinal
- Renal/genitourinary
- Musculoskeletal (shoulder, knee, elbow, etc)
The course will use lecture, small group, seminar, and lab format to accomplish facilitate delivery of the content.
PA 565 - Advanced Clinical Skills I - 2 credits
Year 1, Spring Term
This is the first of a two-semester course teaching advanced clinical skills. This is the laboratory component of the Clinical Medicine I, II and III courses. Through lectures, case discussion, demonstrations and practice sessions, students will learn to use a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities used in daily clinical practice. This semester, these clinical skills include the instruction in, use of, or practice in:
- The electrocardiogram: obtaining and interpreting a 12-lead ECG
- Office pulmonary function testing
- Wound care and dressings
- Phlebotomy, injections, and line (central and peripheral) placement
- Splinting and casting
- Nasal gastric (NG) tube placement
- Urinary bladder catheterization
- Supplemental diagnostic imaging
As part of Advanced Clinical Skills I and II in the spring and summer terms, students will return to their cadavers in the anatomy lab. Just prior to studying a new body system in Clinical Medicine II, and III, students will discuss clinical anatomic correlates important in understanding the disease process and clinical procedures/ skills pertinent to that body system (pelvic exam, prostate exam, placing central lines, etc.).
PA 566 - Advanced Clinical Skills II - 2 credit lab
Year 1, Summer Term
This is the second of a two- semester laboratory course teaching advanced clinical skills. This is the laboratory component of the Clinical Medicine II and III courses. Through lectures, case discussion, demonstrations and practice sessions, students will learn to use a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities used in daily clinical practice. This semester, these clinical skills include the instruction in, use of, or practice in:
- Orientation to the surgical suite
- Sterile surgical technique
- Gowning and gloving
- Surgical instruments
- Suturing
- Lumbar puncture
- Male genitalia (prostate, rectal, genital) using standardized patients
- Female genitalia (breast, axilla, pelvic, rectal) using standardized patients
- Supplemental diagnostic imaging
As part of Advanced Clinical Skills II, students will return to their cadavers in the anatomy lab. Just prior to studying a new body system in Clinical Medicine III, students will discuss clinical anatomic correlates important in understanding the disease process and clinical procedures/ skills pertinent to that body system (pelvic exam, prostate exam, placing central lines, etc.).
Students this semester will also complete a certified course in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
BEHAVIOR SCIENCE
PA 570 - Behavioral Science I - 2.5 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This course will cover the normal and abnormal psychological development of pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. This will include an understanding of:
- The effects of family and culture on normal and abnormal development.
- Issues surrounding cultural awareness and sensitivity pertaining to the diversity and uniqueness of populations encountered in patient care.
- Psychological development, including personality theories and expected normal stages of psychological development.
This course will use lecture and the small group format to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the understanding of, communication with, and counseling of patients and their families in the following areas:
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse
- Human sexuality
- Response to illness, injury, and stress
- Principles of violence identification and prevention (animal, child, spouse, elder)
- Genetic inheritance of disease
- Geriatrics
- End of life issues
Case studies will be presented to enhance student learning.
PA 571 - Behavioral Science II - 2 Credits
Year 1, Summer Term
This is the second of a two- semester course in the area of Behavioral Sciences. The course will provide an overview of the principles of psychiatry and related diseases and an introductory approach to the evaluation and treatment of patients with psychiatric problems. Students will also gain an understanding of the health care team as it applies to the mental health patient. This course will use lecture, role-playing exercises and group discussions.
HEALTH CARE
Health Care I and II are a series of two courses that discuss the health care system and the role of the Physician Assistant Profession. There is an introduction to the role of the PA during Student Orientation Week before classes begin in August and additional classes preparing the student for practice occurring during the Advanced Didactic Phase.
PA 590 - Health Care I - 1.5 credits
Year 1, Spring Term
The aim of this course is to give students a foundation of practical knowledge about the health care system. It begins by orienting students to the basic components of the US health care system. Then, issues and questions are presented and will be discussed in relation to their impact on citizens as well as the practicing physician assistant. Topics will include the historical underpinnings of health care policy, the health care system, hospitals, ambulatory care, quality assurance and risk management in clinical practice, education, personnel, financing, insurance, managed care, mental health, long term care, and other contemporary health care issues. Learners will be expected to evaluate, present and debate pertinent issues presented in the course lectures and readings. The influence of cultural issues on health care policy will be discussed. The relationship between socioeconomic issues and health care will also be explored. The role of the PA will be introduced in this course and expanded in Health Care II. This course will be taught by an interdisciplinary faculty and by community experts in health care organization.
PA 591 - Health Care II - 1 credit
Year 1, Summer Term
This course presents the physician assistant (PA) profession in the context of the modern U.S. health care system. It begins with a review of the history and evolution of the PA profession in U.S. medicine. Examined are the status, trends, and characteristics of PA health care providers, their education, regulation, practice patterns, external relations, and professional organizations. Issues related to PA health workforce policy are presented, along with aspects of PA salary and reimbursement and the legal and economic aspects of PA practice. Current professional issues such as the increasing specialization, the globalization of the PA concept, health workforce policy, and postgraduate training are addressed; also examined are PA career progression and roles in various clinical and professional activities and disciplines.
Through a group self-directed research exercise, students will acquire knowledge of aspects of the PA profession. These include: state regulatory systems, credentialing systems, aspects of PA clinical practice and economic performance, and expanding national and international PA professional roles and activities.
EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE & CLINICAL PROBLEM SOLVING
Students apply skills gained during the Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) course in the first term to the Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) course sequence that extends throughout the first year. This three-course CPS sequence utilizes a problem-based methodology. In small groups with faculty facilitators, this course allows students to apply the clinical decision-making skills gained in the EBM course. It is the integrative course that applies the basic and biomedical science knowledge, clinical assessment skills, biopsychosocial understanding, communication techniques, and health care system knowledge developed in other parts of the curriculum to the diagnosis and management of patient cases. Again, case topics parallel the body system being taught in Clinical Medicine I, II, and III. Small-group instruction is used to develop critical-thinking, communication (oral and written), and other clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
Part of CPS is a required weekly clinical “shadowing” experience. Students are placed in a primary care outpatient setting for a minimum of four hours per week to initially observe and slowly, and according to their skills and with preceptor supervision, sequentially apply the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes they are learning in the classroom. This will be their introduction to practice-based medicine. At the start of this course, students will be introduced to HIPPA regulations and safety policies. This experiential learning will be discussed in the weekly CPS meetings. It will serve as a way to introduce students to the health care system and discuss the application of didactic material to the “real world” care of patients. CPS will be a structure in which faculty can evaluate and reinforce evidence-based and health promotion concepts, counseling skills, cross-cultural sensitivities, and professional behavior. It will allow faculty to evaluate strengths and weaknesses on an individual student basis.
In the first CPS course to prepare them for their “shadowing” experience, students will be given an overview of billing, coding, reimbursement, and other practice- based essentials. As part of a weeklong PCO orientation process prior to the start of classes, students will have received information in areas of professional behavior and cross-cultural competency. They will be introduced to PAST™ - Physician Assistant Student Tracking System, patient-encounter tracking software that is loaded onto their palm pilots so that they can begin to collect patient information (gender, age, ICD-9 and CPT codes, etc.). The use of required laptop computers during the didactic year for dissemination of course materials and evaluations via Blackboard and access to evidence-based and other databases will insure that students enter the clinical year and clinical practice with the required technology skills
PA 580 - Evidence Based Medicine - 2 credits
Year 1, Fall Term
This course begins with a review of basic statistics and its application to evidence based theory as it pertains to epidemiology, public health, and the practice of clinical medicine. It will present a module in accessing computer based medically oriented information and introduce students to evidence based medicine databases. The course will emphasize the use of up-to-date evidence based literature to validate and improve the practice of clinical medicine now and as a lifelong learner. Students will learn to identify, review and critique published literature relevant to their clinical setting. Specifically, students will learn to use medical literature as a tool for clinical decision-making. This course prepares students for the emphasis placed on EBM in Clinical Medicine, Clinical Problem Solving, and other courses in the curriculum.
PA 581 - Clinical Problem Solving I - 1 credit lab
Year 1, Fall Term
This course uses small group format and problem-based learning theory to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills in the individual student. This class will apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned across the curriculum to individual patient cases. Throughout the year, the cases presented will relate to the organ system being studied in the Physiology and Pathophysiology, Clinical Medicine, and Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics courses. Cases will also be representative of topics presented in the Behavioral Science courses.
This course integrates evidence-based medicine into the clinical decision-making. It requires information collection skills learned in Clinical Assessment. It will integrate sensitivity to a patient’s age, gender, race, cultures, disability, socioeconomic, and insurance status into all aspects of the case and culminating in counseling the patient.
In small groups, students will begin with a patient’s “Chief Complaint” and sequentially and logically arrive at a “Final Diagnosis” and “Treatment Plan” with the guidance of a faculty “facilitator”.
Linked with this small group learning experience is the student’s introduction to direct patient care and as such, an introduction to the “Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession”. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of four hours per week in a primary care or family practice setting to observe and participate in the process of health care delivery. This will not only allow the student direct patient interaction that reinforces topics in medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, and professionalism that he or she learn in the classroom, but it will also begin the appreciation of practice-based learning and systems-based practice issues.
PA 582 - Clinical Problem Solving II - 2 credit lab
Year 1, Spring Term
This is a continuation of PA 581. This course uses small group format and problem based learning theory to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills in the individual student. This class will apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned across the curriculum to individual patient cases. Throughout the year, the cases presented will relate to the organ system being studied in the Physiology and Pathophysiology, Clinical Medicine, and Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics courses. It integrates evidence-based medicine into the weekly research necessary to validate clinical decisions. It requires information collection skills learned in Clinical Assessment. It will integrate sensitivity to a patient’s age, gender, race, cultures, disability, socioeconomic, and insurance status into all aspects of the case and culminating in counseling the patient.
In small groups, students will start with a patient’s “Chief Complaint” and sequentially and logically arrive at a “Final Diagnosis” and “Treatment Plan” with the guidance of a faculty “facilitator”.
Linked with this small group learning experience is the student’s introduction to direct patient care and as such, an introduction to the “Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession”. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of four hours per week in a primary care or family practice setting to observe and participate in the process of health care delivery. This will not only allow the student direct patient interaction that reinforces topics in medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, and professionalism that he or she learn in the classroom, but it will also the student to begin to appreciate practice-based learning and systems-based practice issues.
PA 583 - Clinical Problem Solving III - 2 credit lab
Year 1, Summer Term
This is a continuation of PA 582. This course uses small group format and problem based learning theory to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills in the individual student. This class will apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned across the curriculum to individual patient cases. Throughout the year, the cases presented will relate to the organ system being studied in thePhysiology and Pathophysiology, Clinical Medicine, and Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics courses. It integrates evidence-based medicine into the weekly research necessary to validate clinical decisions. It requires information collection skills learned in Clinical Assessment. It will integrate sensitivity to a patient’s age, gender, race, cultures, disability, socioeconomic, and insurance status into all aspects of the case and culminating in counseling the patient.
In small groups, students will start with a patient’s “Chief Complaint” and sequentially and logically arrive at a “Final Diagnosis” and “Treatment Plan” with the guidance of a faculty “facilitator”.
Linked with this small group learning experience is the student’s introduction to direct patient care and as such, an introduction to the “Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession”. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of four hours per week in a primary care or family practice setting to observe and participate in the process of health care delivery. This will not only allow the student direct patient interaction that reinforces topics in medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, and professionalism that he or she learn in the classroom, but it will also begin the appreciation of practice-based learning and systems-based practice issues.
THE CLINICAL YEAR
The 64-credit clinical year consists of three terms (fall, spring and summer) over a twelve-month period. During this time, students complete nine required clinical rotations. These include eight, four-week rotations in the required/core primary care areas and one “Floating Block” to be selected by the student from the core areas as a repeat of one of the required core rotations. Required rotations are in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine/ Primary Care, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Women’s Medicine, and Psychiatry/ Behavioral Medicine. The remaining twelve-week period is comprised of three, four-week electives in areas of the student’s choosing (primary care, hospitalist medicine, nephrology, interventional radiology, etc.) During this phase of the program, all students participate in supervised clinical practice in a variety of outpatient, emergency, inpatient, and long-term care settings. In these rotations, physicians, physician assistants, and other members of the health care team provide the clinical education.
PA 601 - Primary Care/Family Medicine Clinical Rotation 5.33 credits
This course is designed to provide the student with the basics necessary to build a solid foundation for the evaluation, documentation, diagnosis and treatment of problems common in primary care/family medicine. The student will develop proficiency in office procedures commonly performed in a family medicine office.
PA 602 - Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
The student will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage patients with a variety of psychiatric problems. The rotation will provide students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the role of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses in the care of the psychiatric patient. Students will learn the appropriate use of selected psychoactive pharmaceuticals. There will be ample opportunity for the student to practice the skills necessary to perform a psychiatric interview and mental status examination and make referrals for specialized psychiatric treatment.
PA 603 - Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
The student is introduced to triage & stabilization of patients with life threatening conditions and procedures performed in the emergency department. Emphasis is placed on skills required to perform and document a problem oriented history and physical; formulate a differential diagnosis; order and interpret the tests necessary to confirm or rule out a primary diagnosis and give appropriate patient education. The student will also learn strategies for interacting with patients &/or families in various levels of stress.
PA 604 - General Surgery Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
Students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage patients with a variety of surgical problems. The rotation will provide students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the role of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon, circulating nurse, scrub nurse, scrub tech, recovery room and the surgery floor nurses, aids, and techs in the care of the surgical patient.
PA 605 - Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
The focus is on in-depth evaluation and ongoing treatment of patients with complex problems and /or chronic illness. Students learn the skills necessary to evaluate and manage the effects of chronic disease on multiple body systems and to perform or assist in procedures commonly done in internal medicine.
PA 606 - Women’s Medicine Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
Rotation is designed to provide the student with an outpatient experience in the area of care of the female patient, especially in the areas of women’s health and prenatal care and the impact of disease processes on the reproductive system. The student will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate, manage, and educate the patient in areas such as annual exams, birth control, infertility, menstruation, sexuality, pregnancy, pre and postnatal care, menopause, and relationships.
PA 607 - Pediatrics Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
This clinical rotation is designed to provide the student with outpatient and inpatient experience in pediatrics to include care of the neonate through the teenage years. The student will learn to perform evaluation of the healthy pediatric patient, recognize, evaluate and treat the common illnesses and problems experienced by the neonate, infant, small child and adolescent to age 18. Additionally, the student will learn to identify and manage problems in growth and development of these age groups and recognize and manage pediatric emergencies.
PA 608 - Geriatrics Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
The focus is on in-depth evaluation and ongoing treatment of geriatric patients with complex problems and /or chronic illness. Students learn the skills necessary to evaluate and manage the effects of chronic disease on multiple body systems and to perform or assist in procedures commonly done in providing care to the geriatric population.
PA 609 - Floating Block Clinical Rotation - 5.33 credits
This four-week rotation will represent a repeat of one of the required core areas: Psychiatry/Behavior Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, OB-GYN/Women’s’ Health, Pediatrics or Geriatrics. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the complexity of disease processes and differential diagnosis the area of medicine selected.
PA 610, 611, 612 - Elective Rotations - 5.33 credits each
In association with the Clinical Coordinator, each student will choose from a list of elective rotations (i.e., primary care, hospitalist medicine, nephrology, interventional radiology, etc.). Each student will choose three and be placed according to availability
No student will be required to acquire his/ her own clinical rotation site. If a student has a particular clinical rotation site he/she wishes to develop, this may be done in association with and at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator.
ADVANCED DIDACTIC PHASE
The clinical year will be followed by a one-month, 7-credit, “Advanced Didactic Phase” emphasizing the transition into the health care system as a practitioner. “Transition to Practice” will discuss matters specific to the PA as he/ she graduates and enters practice. The PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Examination), PANRE (Physician Assistant National Recertification Examination), CME (Continuing Medical Education), credentialing, licensure, and liability insurance will be addresses.
During student’s last clinical rotation, the PACKRAT (Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool) will be given. Results will determine class strengths and weaknesses in certain areas. Faculty will develop a list of topics in which the class as a whole did not perform well. Senior Seminar will consist of student presentations in these areas in preparation for the PANCE. Students will bring their clinical year and other experiences to Legal and Ethical Aspects of Medicine. These experiences will allow for reality-based discussions of ethical dilemmas encountered in primary care in such areas as genetic testing and counseling, end-of-life issues, and the patient-provider relationship.
Serving as an independent study project linked to Clinical Problem Solving IV, the “Capstone Project” for the PCO Physician Assistant Program is a formal Grand Rounds presentation to the PCO Community along with the submission of a referenced review article and a written case summary. The Grand Rounds Presentation is an in-depth presentation of a medical patient case that the student encountered during his/her clinical rotations. It will demonstrate the evidence-based process that led to the final diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis and patient counseling. The preventive medicine aspects of the disease will also be addressed. The referenced review article and case summary will be submitted prior to the formal presentation and will be allow the faculty to generate questions regarding the case. This is a summative evaluation tool that will be used to measure cognitive, motor, and affective domains at a point near the completion of the program.
PA 780 - Clinical Problem Solving IV “Capstone Project” - 2 credits
This independent study course takes place during the entire clinical year and provides the course structure for the student “Capstone Project”.
The “Capstone Project” for the PCO Physician Assistant Program is a Grand Rounds presentation and submission of a review article and case write- up.
The Grand Rounds Presentation is the in depth presentation of a medical topic. The student will use the chief complaint, history and physical findings, and laboratory data of a patient he or she has had as a patient during his or her clinical experiences at the PA Program as a point of reference and build the discussion of the medical issue around that patient. The student will discuss the differential diagnosis and “walk” the listener through the critical thinking, evidence-based process that led to the final diagnosis. Epidemiology, public health significance, pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic/ clinical laboratory criteria, treatment plan, prognosis, patient counseling, and preventive medicine aspects of the disease will be addressed. It is a 25- minute power point presentation to which the College community is invited. A referenced review article and case write-up will be submitted just prior to the presentation from which faculty will generate questions that the student will field after the presentation.
PA 710 - Legal & Ethical Aspects of Medicine - 1 credit
This course is designed to give students an appreciation of medical ethics and their legal implications where applicable. Lectures will provide students with a basic understanding of the ethical responsibilities of physician assistants as health care practitioners and as individuals. The course is designed:
- To provide students with an appreciation of the role of professional ethics in the contemporary practice of medicine.
- To teach the concepts of privilege, confidentiality, and informed patient consent.
- To provide insight into the origin, history, and contemporary applications of medical ethics dilemmas facing physician assistants in clinical practice
- To identify alternative positions and information relevant to ethical issues
- To encourage in all discussions, the attributes of respect for self and others and a commitment to the patient’s welfare.
- To foster life-long critical thinking and learning skills regarding the development of ethical issues in patient care
- To encourage the appreciation of high ethical standards for professional responsibility and personal integrity
Topics will include:
- Fundamentals of Clinical Ethics
- Testing for Genetic conditions
- Ethical Issues in Public Health Emergencies
- Shared Decision Making
- Decisions About Life-Sustaining Interventions
- The Provider-Patient Relationship
- Conflicts of Interest
PA 790 - Health Care III: Transition into Practice - 1 credit
This course will present information required of students as they transition from school to workplace. It will discuss
- The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the NCCPA Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) blueprint, and the PANCE.
- Certifying and re-certifying
- Continuing Medical Education (CME)
- Professional liability and medical malpractice
- Reimbursement issues
- Political and legal issues, statutes, and regulations governing PA practice
- Laws and regulations regarding prescriptive practice
- Licensure
- Credentialing
- Professional organizations, and community resource networks
PA 740 - Alternative & Complimentary Medicine - 1 credit
This course provides an introduction to alternative and complementary medicine modalities. A practitioner of the therapy and/or a person knowledgeable in the area will present each alternative/complementary treatment modality in lecture and discussion format. Hands-on experiences and demonstrations will be included in the course where applicable.
PA 720 - Senior Seminar - 2 credits
This course will be one way that students will prepare for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE). It will be a series of presentations prepared by students and based on topics identified as weaknesses by PA program faculty and through the collective results of the Physician Assistant Clinical Rating Assessment Tool (PACRAT).
One month prior to the beginning of the Advanced Didactic Phase, students will take the electronic version of the PACRAT. It is a non- standardized test developed by the Physician Assistant Educator’s Association (PAEA) and used as a way to assess student and program strengths and weaknesses in topic areas parallel to areas evaluated on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).