31 courses with the subject PA, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PA 526P.A. Practice and Ethics2
This course provides an historical perspective of the physician assistant profession, as well as an investigation of current trends and issues. The course stresses the importance of biomedical ethics and professional responsibilities in relation to the physician assistant’s role as a health care provider. Content relating to physician assistant professional organizations, program accreditation, graduate certification and re-certification, employment considerations, and professional liability is included. This course also includes required Service-Learning, an educational method in which the participants perform service work and actively learn from it. Summer
PA 529P.A.s in the Healthcare System and Public Health1
This course gives students a foundation of practical knowledge about the health system and the PA profession. Issues and questions are presented and will be discussed in relation to their impact on citizens as well as the practicing physician assistant. The influence of cultural issues on healthcare policy and the relationship between socioeconomic issues will be explored along with the role of the PA in the context of the modern US healthcare system. PAs in public health and issues surrounding them will also be discussed. Summer
The purpose of the Clinical Medicine I course is to introduce the student to clinical conditions commonly encountered in practicing primary care medicine. Lectures will emphasize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, disease course, diagnostic, and treatment modalities of each medical topic. This course teaches the pathology of disease by system and specialty and focuses on the provision of medical care across the life span including the young adult, adult, and geriatric population. Topics for the course will include the following: clinical laboratory medicine, nutrition, dermatology, ophthalmology & otolaryngology (HEENT), pulmonary, and cardiology with EKG interpretation. Fall
The purpose of the Clinical Medicine II course is to introduce the student to clinical conditions commonly encountered in practicing primary care medicine. Lectures will emphasize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, disease course, and diagnostic and treatment modalities of each medical topic. This course builds on the pathology of disease presented in Physician Assistant 530 Clinical Medicine I and focuses on the young adult, adult, and geriatric populations. It continues with the presentation of the following systems: endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, ob-gyn, genitourinary, and psychiatry. These disorders are presented by system and specialty as well as augmented with clinical therapeutics. Spring
The purpose of the Clinical Medicine Ill course is to introduce the student to clinical conditions commonly encountered in practicing primary care medicine. Lectures will emphasize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, disease course, diagnostic and treatment modalities of each medical topic. This course builds on the pathology of disease presented in PA530 Clinical Medicine I and PA531 Clinical Medicine II and continues with the presentation of the following systems: hematology and oncology and infectious disease. It will also encompass the clinical conditions commonly encountered in the pediatric population and provide an overview of palliative and end-of-life care. The course will focus on the provision of medical care across the life span including the newborn child, infant, child, adolescent, young adult, adult, and geriatric populations. The disorders are presented by system and specialty as well as augmented with clinical therapeutics. Summer
The course will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of critical thinking involved in the process of clinical problem solving. In large and small group settings, a case-based learning (CBL) format will be used in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities to solve problems frequently encountered in the day to day practice of medicine. Laboratory and diagnostics based on clinical scenarios facilitate development of critical thinking skills. Throughout the year, the cases presented will relate to the organ system being studied in pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacology, and patient assessment. Fall
PA 534Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostics II2
The course will continue to build on the foundation learned in Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostics I and will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of critical thinking involved in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. In large and small group settings, a Case-Based Learning (CBL) format will be used to integrate clinical reasoning and thinking to solve problems frequently encountered in the day to day practice of medicine. Laboratory and diagnostics based on clinical scenarios facilitate development of critical thinking skills. Throughout the year, the cases presented will relate to the organ system being studied in pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacology, and patient assessment.
This course is designed to prepare the student for Emergency Medicine and Surgery Rotations. General surgical concepts needed for the physician assistant to function in major surgical areas as well as primary care settings are presented. The course emphasizes pre-, intra-, and post-operative care as well as managing the patient in an acute and emergent setting. Students learn treatment of trauma and medical disorders commonly presenting to the emergency department. The emphasis is on the priority of stabilizing patients with life-threatening trauma or illness and selecting appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures.
This course provides instruction in communication skills for the effective exchange of information with patients. Addressed in the course are patient – provider collaboration, health literacy, and communication techniques for patients across cultural and generational groups, and counseling techniques for patient education, treatment adherence, and health promotion. Focus in the course is to develop a base of knowledge for interviewing patients across the lifespan, however the specific group focus here is primarily with patients who are considered young adult, adult, and geriatric populations. Summer
This course teaches foundational skills and techniques required to gather a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. The course introduces the student to the practice of history taking and physical examinations in the young adult, adult, and geriatric populations of the following systems: skin, head, face, neck, lymph, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, thorax & lungs, heart & neck vessels, peripheral vascular, abdomen, musculoskeletal and neurological. During the course, integration of the student’s knowledge of the structure and function of the human body is coupled with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment and techniques for performing a comprehensive physical examination. The following will be used to facilitate the learning process: lectures, assigned readings, case presentations, and lab sessions. In this course, the student will have the opportunity to develop competence in interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration through taking histories, practicing SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes, formulating a differential diagnosis, creating effective management plans, performing physical examinations and patient education. Fall
In this course, the student will build on the knowledge and foundational skills and techniques learned in PA537 Patient History and Communication and PA538 Patient Assessment I in the performance of a thorough physical examination and medical history. The student will integrate the knowledge obtained in PA530 Clinical Medicine I with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment and technique for performing a comprehensive physical examination as well as developing the skills necessary to perform a problem focused physical exam on the adolescent, young adult, adult, and geriatric populations. The student will also become more focused on patient education through the development of some patient education material and also an oral presentation to the class. The course topics will include the male/female examination, the abdominal exam, the neurological exam, the musculoskeletal exam, admitting a patient to the hospital, discharging a patient, daily notes, discharge summaries, prescription writing, presenting a patient to an attending, and patient education. During the course, integration of the student’s knowledge of the structure and function of the human body is coupled with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment and techniques for performing a comprehensive physical examination. The following will be used to facilitate the learning process: lectures, assigned readings, case presentations, and lab sessions. In this course, the student will have the opportunity to continue to develop competence in interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration through taking histories, practicing SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes, formulating a differential diagnosis, creating effective management plans, performing physical examinations and patient education. Spring
In this course, the student will build on the knowledge and foundational skills and techniques learned in PA537 Patient History and Communication, PA538 Patient Assessment I, and PA539 Patient Assessment II in the performance of a thorough physical examination and medical history. The student will integrate the knowledge obtained in PA530 Clinical Medicine I, and PA531 Clinical Medicine II with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment and technique for performing a comprehensive physical examination. The student will integrate the knowledge and skills that they have built upon in the previous semesters and apply that to the pediatric, psychiatric, surgical, and geriatric patient. The student will also expand their knowledge and ability to perform directed exams as well as integrating patient education. The student will also continue learning the documentation process of the complete medical chart. During the course, integration of the student’s knowledge of the structure and function of the human body is coupled with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment and techniques for performing a comprehensive physical examination and relate that to problem focused exams in the newborn, child, adolescent, young adult, adult patients and the geriatric patient. The following will be used to facilitate the learning process: lectures, assigned readings, case presentations, and lab sessions. In this course, the student will have the opportunity to continue to develop competence in interpersonal and communication s~lls that res1:11t in the effective exchange of information and collaboration through taking histories, practicing SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes, formulating a differential diagnosis, creating effective management plans, performing physical examinations and patient education. Summer
In this course, the student will be introduced to pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacotherapeutic principles that provide a foundation for the study of pharmacology and therapeutics. Combined lecture, active learning exercises and discussion boards are designed to develop the pharmacologic and therapeutic skills that a physician assistant will need to enhance patient care in clinical practice. Topics this semester will emphasize the following areas: an introduction to basic principles, autonomic pharmacology, antibiotics, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Fall
In this course, students build upon the knowledge and skills obtained in PA 541 Pharmacology I . Combined lecture, active learning exercises and discussion boards are designed to develop the pharmacologic and therapeutic skills that a physician assistant will need to enhance patient care in clinical practice. Topics this semester will focus on the following areas: Additional cardiovascular diseases, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, pain management, and rheumatology. The student will use clinical literature and guidelines to evaluate patient cases as they relate to pharmacology. Spring
In this course, the student will build upon the knowledge and skills obtain in: Pharmacology II ( PA 542 ). Combined lecture, readings, active learning exercises and discussion boards are designed to develop the pharmacologic and therapeutic skills that a physician assistant will need to enhance patient care in clinical practice. Topics this semester will be focusing on psychology, renal disorders, men’s health, genitourinary disorders, women’s health, hematology/oncology, viral and fungal diseases, dermatology and alternative/complementary medicines as well as dietary supplements. The student will use clinical literature and current guidelines to evaluate patients as they relate to pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. Summer
This course is designed to reinforce and enhance the student’s knowledge of human anatomy in preparation for a career in medicine. Further, the lecture course will focus on those concepts and structures not readily visible in cadaver dissection (histological, developmental and physiological), and strive to connect anatomical and physiological detail with clinical practice. The lab part of this course will focus on the gross anatomy of the human utilizing cadaver dissection.
In this course, students learn integrative human physiology and pathophysiology involving concepts of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal and reproductive systems, with an emphasis upon homeostatic mechanisms and etiologies of disease. Students learn the interrelationships of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels. Fall
In this course, students learn integrative human physiology and pathophysiology involving concepts of the neural, digestive, musculoskeletal and endocrine physiology, with an emphasis upon homeostatic mechanisms and etiologies of disease. Students learn the interrelationships of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels. Spring
In this course, students learn to perform procedures such as suturing, splinting, wound care, aseptic technique, intravenous insertions, nasogastric intubations and Foley catheter insertion. This course actively teaches the concepts needed in order to evaluate a patient in an acute care setting and determine the medical procedure needed for that patient. Fall
Medical genetics is a rapidly advancing field of medicine. It is now recognized that genetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases and in the in the maintenance of health. This course is designed to provide an overview of human genetic concepts including the genetic and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. The course seeks to teach the students to apply their knowledge of the principles of human genetics to a variety of clinical problems. It surveys many clinical areas including cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, population genetics and clinical genetics. The course is organized roughly according to genetic etiology and pathophysiology. Spring
This course provides an introduction in accessing computer based medically oriented information and evidence based medicine databases. Review of basic statistics precedes statistical application to evidence based theory, as it pertains to epidemiology, public health, and the practice of clinical medicine. Course emphasizes use of up to date evidence based literature to validate and improve the practice of clinical medicine now and as a lifelong learner. Fall
This course will prepare students for the transition from didactic year to clinical year through in-depth review and discussion of program policies, as well as professional practice policies as they relate to the PA profession.
The Family Medicine rotation is a 6 -week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of acute, chronic, and preventive patient encounters, to include adults and elderly.
The Internal Medicine rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of acute and chronic adult and elderly patient encounters.
The Pediatric rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of preventive and acute newborn, children, and adolescent patient encounters.
The Psychiatry rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies related to the assessment, management, and prevention of mental, emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse disorders.
The Surgery rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of surgical conditions, as well as, pre-op, operative, and post-op patient encounters.
The Women’s Health rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of the women’s health patient to include pre-natal and gynecological patient encounters.
The Emergency Medicine rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the initial evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, coordination of care among multiple providers, and disposition of any patient of any age requiring emergent medical care.
The Elective Rotation is a 6-week required supervised clinical practice experience. This rotation is student-selected in a medical discipline that may reflect the student’s intended career path, or particular interest. The student will incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired in the didactic year and develop proficiencies in the assessment and management of patient encounters specific to the selected setting.
The Summative Evaluation course builds on the evidence-based medicine course completed during the didactic phase of the program by having students participate individually in the conception, development, and production of a literature review and oral presentation. In addition, the course contains a series of summative assessments put forth to ensure that the student has the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for entry into the Physician Assistant Profession. Students are expected to pass a written summative exam, a comprehensive objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), complete a full history and physical documentation, complete a capstone project, and complete a summative procedures and test interpretation evaluation in order to demonstrate the proficiency of a practice-ready physician assistant. This course will also provide students with additional support in preparing for the PANCE. Previously offered as PA 634: Master’s Project
