What is a Physician Assistant?

Institutional Partnership and Mission

Graduate Characteristics

Faculty and Staff

Admissions

Curriculum

Program Costs

Facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

American Academy of Physician Assistants

CASPA

Pre PA Club

PA Student Society

Current PA Students

Search

Physician Assistant Homepage

SAH Homepage

Baccalaureate Curriculum Clinical Course Descriptions

Clinical Phase courses primarily involve supervised practice experiences in a variety of settings and specialties. It is expected that these experiences involve an average of 35-40 hours of practice experience each week. In many rotations, one night per week and one weekend per month of on-call experience is also appropriate and expected. Students are also expected to develop a self directed discipline of study appropriate to development of the clinical and cognitive skills required in each course.

Evaluation of student performance in each of the Clinical Phase experiences includes the preceptor(s) evaluation of clinical performance, a written examination of cognitive performance, and, where appropriate and possible, a site visit by program faculty. Students return to campus approximately one day every six weeks for written examinations, evaluation of clinical skills, participation in program seminars and clinical activities. Successful completion of all Clinical Rotations, the Family Medicine Preceptorship, program seminars, activities and the program summative exam is required for graduation.

PAS 460 Dermatology Clinical Rotation 2 credits.

In the two-week dermatology rotation students have a brief but intense exposure to the wide variety of skin conditions while developing skills in the recognition, and treatments for these conditions. Because these experiences generally occur in secondary referral practices, students also come to appreciate the role of a consulting dermatologists in the provision of primary care. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 461 Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation 4 credits.

This four-week rotation allows the student to develop skills in managing patients in the emergency room setting. These skills include those necessary for appropriate triage, stabilization, and initial management of patients with traumatic injuries and illnesses, the management of the less life threatening problems which present to the emergency room, working with the pre-hospital emergency medical service team, and making appropriate secondary referrals. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 462 General Surgery Clinical Rotation 6 credits.

The six-week surgical rotation is designed to prepare the student to function as an assistant to the surgeon in the primary or secondary care setting. Students assist in surgical procedures in the operating room, the diagnostic evaluation of surgical patients, with pre- and post-operative care and with the ambulatory care of surgical patients. Proficiency is to be developed in suturing, incision and drainage, excision and the biopsy of simple wounds and lesions. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 463 Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation 6 credits.

During the six-week internal medicine rotation physician assistant students become a part of an internal medicine practice caring for adult and geriatric patients. Students perform patient history and physical examinations, obtain diagnostic testing and present the data to their precepting physician(s) with a proposed differential diagnosis and treatment plan. Students function in a role similar to the intended role of a practicing physician assistant, including participation in hospital rounds where diagnostic and therapeutic plans for acutely ill patients are discussed, performing and observing various clinical procedures, and preparing written and oral communication about patients. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Repeatable for up to 4 credits. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 464 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Rotation 6 credits.

This six-week rotation provides an opportunity for the PA student to develop skills in the management of obstetrical patients during the antenatal, perinatal and post natal periods. Students also have experience in managing common outpatient gynecology problems, gynecologic diagnostic techniques and therapy, family planning, assisting at gynecologic surgery, and techniques for the early detection of gynecologic cancer. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 465 Orthopedics Clinical Rotation 4 credits.

The orthopedic clinical rotation, four weeks in length, is designed to develop student skills necessary for the care of patients with orthopedic problems including fractures, wounds, soft tissue injuries, and degenerative conditions found in primary care. Through work with orthopedic surgeons, and other professionals in orthopedic practice, the student gains an appreciation for their roles, and becomes better able to make timely orthopedic referrals in primary care. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 466 Pediatrics Clinical Rotation 6 credits.

During the six-week pediatric rotation the PA student has an intense exposure to primary care pediatric problems with the objective of developing skills in well child preventive care, the care of common pediatric illnesses and the care of the newborn. These experiences are obtained primarily in the outpatient setting. However, exposure to the acute care of hospitalized pediatric patients is also expected. The student also comes to appreciate and begins to work with the many professionals, such as teachers, psychologists, speech and hearing pathologist, nurses and social workers, involved in the care and evaluation of children. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 467 Psychiatry Clinical Rotation 4 credits.

The clinical rotation in psychiatry, four weeks in length, involves experiences, primarily in outpatient settings, that allow students to develop skills in the evaluation and management of patients with a variety of psychiatric problems. Through these experiences students gain an appreciation for the role of the psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse and social worker in the care of the mentally ill, and becomes better able to make appropriate psychiatric referrals from primary care. The use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals, and the role psychotherapy in psychiatry are explored in the experience. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examination at the end of the rotation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 470 Independent Study: Elective Clinical Rotation(s) 2 or 4 credits.

During the Preclinical Phase and early portion of the Clinical Phase PA program students consider their own clinical practice interests and needs for skill development. The student selects (a) clinical area(s) for the Elective Clinical Rotation(s) with the approval of program faculty. Students may select elective experiences from specialty areas not included in the required rotations, or in one of the required clinical areas. With the consultation and approval of program faculty the student develops an individualized learning contract which includes objectives for their elective rotation(s), and a method to demonstrate achievement of these objectives at the conclusion of the rotation(s). Where possible and appropriate, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. Students are required to have a total of four credits (four weeks) of Elective Clinical Rotation for graduation. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.

PAS 475 Family Medicine Preceptorship 12 credits.

This 12-week preceptorship provides students with a prolonged experience in one setting during which students refine their skills in performing the history and physical exam, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing treatment plans for the diversity of patients in a typical rural family medicine practice. With this prolonged experience the student begins to appreciate the long term impact of health care on patients' lives, and becomes more skilled in preventive health care and the long term management of chronic medical problems. To the extent possible, preceptorship sites include at least two family physicians, one or more PAs or NPs who might practice in a satellite clinic, and a community hospital where students can be involved with acute inpatient care, obstetrical, surgical and emergency room practice. Where possible, students participate in grand rounds, noon conferences and other clinically relevant didactic presentations. A set of cognitive objectives guides student reading in preparation for a written examinations at the middle and end of the preceptorship. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and permission of the PA Program Director.