Course Descriptions
All Physician Assistant courses require admission to the School of Physician Assistant Studies.
PA 505 Fundamentals of Hospital Care I
A sixteen (16) week didactic course providing training in multiple hospital based disciplines including surgery, surgical and medical ICU, inpatient management and surgical subspecialties with a focus on rural hospital care. The residents will attend 3-5 hours per week of didactic sessions including grand rounds, case conferences, lectures, teaching rounds and web-based instruction. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program. Credits: 4.00
PA 506 Fundamentals of Hospital Care II
A continuation of PA 505. A sixteen (16) week didactic course providing training in multiple hospital based disciplines including surgery, surgical and medical ICU, inpatient management and surgical subspecialties with a focus on rural hospital care. The residents will attend 3-5 hours per week of didactic sessions including grand rounds, case conferences, lectures, teaching rounds and web-based instruction. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program. Credits: 4.00
PA 507 Fundamentals of Hospital Care III
A continuation of PA 506. A sixteen (16) week didactic course providing training in multiple hospital based disciplines including surgery, surgical and medical ICU, inpatient management and surgical subspecialties with a focus on rural hospital care. The residents will attend 3-5 hours per week of didactic sessions including grand rounds, case conferences, lectures, teaching rounds and web-based instruction. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program. Credits: 4.00
PA 510 Current Topics in the PA Profession
Overview of the healthcare delivery system including public health, health policy, cultural issues, international healthcare, alternative medicine, introduction to problem based learning and current roles of physician assistants. Summer Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 520 Behavioral Medicine
Psychological conditions, counseling and communication skills, substance abuse, culture, ethnicity, and health-related behavior with an emphasis on creating a competency in the diagnosis, treatment, management and referral of psychiatric conditions. Summer Phase I.
Credits: 3.00
PA-525 Orthopedic Surgery
A sixteen (16) week clinical rotation in a hospital based Orthopedic Surgery practice setting involving all aspects of patient care including emergency department triage, operative experiences, inpatient and outpatient care. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program.
Credits: 16.00 -
PA-526 Trauma/Critical Care
A sixteen (16) week clinical rotation in a hospital based Trauma/Critical Care practice setting involving all aspects of patient care including emergency department triage and assessment, operative experiences and inpatient care. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program
Credits: 16.00
PA-527 Hospitalist Care
A sixteen (16) week clinical rotation in a hospital based Inpatient Medicine practice setting involving all aspects of patient care including emergency department triage and assessment, ICU/critical care and medical/surgical wards. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program. Credits: 16.00
PA 530 Clinical History
Introduction to obtaining and documenting an appropriate medical history. The medical record as a legal document will be discussed. Review of patient confidentiality will be emphasized. Practice on other students and participation at local clinics. Summer Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 534 Spanish Language
Seminar I. Introduction to Spanish culture and language. This is a pass/no pass course and attendance is mandatory. Students who speak Spanish may function as tutors.
Summer Phase I. Credits: 1.00
PA 536 Spanish Language
Seminar II (Elective). 2-week intensive Medical Spanish and Tropical Medicine course held in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students are responsible for additional tuition (includes meals/home stay) and costs of travel. PA 534 required prerequisite or prior completion of other Spanish courses. Spring Phase I. Credits: 3.00
The Clinical Medicine (CM) module series is a comprehensive and integrated approach to learning medicine by organ systems. There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, case-based learning and evidence based clinical practice. Clinical medicine modules will include the
Advanced study of human anatomy with laboratory sessions on cadaver prosections and selected dissection opportunities
- Advanced study of human physiology with clinical applications
- Study of the etiology and pathophysiology of disease states
- Performance of history and physical examinations with attention to charting and developing a differential diagnosis. Practice on other students and participation at local clinics.
- Overview of the selection, use, and interpretation of results of laboratory and diagnostic studies
- Study of disease states including the epidemiology, history, physical examination, diagnostic evaluation, differential diagnosis, management, and prognosis
- Recognition of behavioral medicine issues on disease states commonly seen in the medical setting
- Pharmacological principles of routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology, drug classes, disease management, use in patient types.
- Identification and initiation of treatment for emergencies
- Comparison of the clinical presentation and management of disease states in the geriatric population vs. the general population
- Preventive health care, patient education, and health maintenance recommendations
- Application of the principles evidence based clinical practice
- Objective evaluation of interviewing and history taking skills utilizing the Leicester Assessment Package (LAP)
PA 553 Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine
Study of physiological systems and/or organs with application to clinical situations, principles of nutrition and introduction to pharmacology. Summer Phase I. Credits: 4.00
PA 556 CM Genetics
Study of the basic concepts of genetics, genetic testing and social, legal, and ethical implications of genetic testing. Summer Phase I. Credits 1
PA 557 CM Geriatrics
Study of the unique physiologic, emotional and social aspects of the aging patient. Summer Phase I. Credits: 1.00
PA 595 Concepts in Evidence Based Healthcare
Introduction to review of medical literature and principles of evidence-based health care.
Summer Phase I. Credits: 1.00
PA 581 CM Infection and Immunology
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning infectious disease and immunology. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 582 CM Dermatology, Eye, ENT
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning dermatology, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 583 CM Pulmonary Medicine
A comprehensive and integrated approach to pulmonary medicine. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 584 CM Nephrology and ECG
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning nephrology and electrocardiogram. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 585 CM Cardiology
A comprehensive and integrated approach to cardiology. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 586 CM Gastroenterology
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning gastroenterology. Fall Phase I.
Credits: 3.00
PA 587 CM Men’s Health
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning men’s health. Fall Phase I.
Credits: 2.00
PA 588 CM Endocrine, Hem-Onc
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning hematology, oncology, and endocrinology. Fall Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 590 CM Neurology
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning neurology. Spring Phase I.
Credits: 3.00
PA 591 CM Musculoskeletal
A comprehensive and integrated approach to orthopedics and rheumatology. Clinical skill sessions on splinting. Spring Phase I. Credits: 4.00
PA 592 CM Women’s Health
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning women’s health. Spring Phase I. Credits: 4.00
PA 593 CM Pediatric Medicine
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning pediatric medicine. Spring Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 596 CM Emergency Medicine
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning emergency medicine. ACLS certification.
Spring Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 597 CM Surgery, Hospital Care
A comprehensive and integrated approach to learning surgery and inpatient medicine. Clinical skill sessions on suturing, IVs, sterile technique, gowning/gloving. Spring Phase I. Credits: 3.00
PA 598 CM Whole Patient
A comprehensive and integrated approach to the whole patient. Spring Phase I. Credits: 1.00
PA 610 Clinical Rotation Seminar
Series of seminars designed to prepare the student for clinical rotations including case presentation, rotation etiquette, review of electrocardiography and radiology, patient communication and other clinical practice issues. Summer Phase II. Credits: 2.00
PA-625 Cardiothoracic Surgery
A sixteen (16) week clinical rotation in a hospital based Cardiothoracic Surgery practice setting involving all aspects of patient care including emergency department triage, operative experiences, inpatient and outpatient care. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program Credits: 16.00
PA-626 Neurosurgery
A sixteen (16) week clinical rotation in a hospital based Neurosurgery practice setting involving all aspects of patient care including emergency department triage, operative experiences, inpatient and outpatient care. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program Credits: 16.00
PA 630 Family Medicine Rotation
Clinical rotation for 12 weeks in a family practice medical office setting preferably in a rural or community setting to include the care of adults, women and children. Phase II. Credits: 12.00
PA 631 Internal Medicine Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in an internal medicine practice medical office setting. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 633 In-Patient Medicine Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in an in-patient setting including required readings in medicine practice. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 634 Surgery Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in a surgical setting with an emphasis on inpatient, outpatient, and the surgical arena. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 636 Emergency Medicine Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in an emergency department or trauma care setting. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 637 Community Medicine Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in a community medicine setting such as a prison, health department, family planning/STD clinic, international setting, community mental health or other community based locations. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 639 Primary Care Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in family medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics or women’s healthcare as selected by the student. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 640 Electrive Rotation
Clinical rotation for 6 weeks in a medical specialty. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA 665 Professional Practice Seminar I
One-week seminar course dealing with professional practice issues, journal club, ethics, diversity, and to assist the students with the development of the clinical project proposal. Summer Phase II. Credits: 1.00
PA 666 Professional Practice Seminar II
One-week seminar course dealing with professional practice issues, journal club, ethics and diversity. Spring Phase II. Credits: 1.00
PA 667 Professional Practice Seminar III
One-week seminar course dealing with professional practice issues, journal club, ethics and diversity. Summer Phase II. Credits: 1.00
PA-694 Fundamentals Evidence Based Healthcare
A sixteen (16) week didactic course providing training in concepts of measurement, basic statistics review, comparing means and interpretation of data results. Identification of evidence based resources, skills in medical literature searching, development of appropriate clinical questions and literature appraisal techniques and application to practice. The residents will attend 3-5 hours per week of didactic sessions including lectures and web-based instruction. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program
Credits: 4.00
PA 696 Clinical Graduate Project
Student conducts a clinical project followed by on-site presentation of results to PA faculty and other PA students with a final written paper of publishable quality or poster presentation. Professional practice issues seminars and journal club. Phase II. Credits: 6.00
PA-697 Clinical Project I
A sixteen (16) week on-line course that combines principles of clinical research and a clinical research project. The Clinical Project I course is composed of 5 modules that guide the resident in acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for formulating a clinical research question and a research protocol. Basic research topics including ethical issues in clinical research, concepts of measurement, research design and data analysis. During the course the resident will develop and submit for program and mentor approval, a clinical project topic and a complete project protocol. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program
Credits: 4.00
PA-698 Clinical Project II
A continuation of PA 697. A sixteen (16) week didactic course that combines the principles of clinical research and a clinical research project. The Clinical Project II course involves implementation of an approved project at a clinical facility. Data is collected and analyzed with conclusions developed based on the results of the project. Upon completion of the project, the resident completes a paper of publishable quality and presents the study results before a clinical audience. The Power Point file and paper are submitted to the program. All other courses must be completed prior to beginning the clinical project. Pass/No Pass. Post Graduate Residency Program. Credits: 4.00