PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES (PAS)
See College of Science and Allied Health, p. 81.
Associate Professor: Zellmer (Program Director);
Lecturers: Garland, Majewski.
(Science and Allied Health)
The following courses must be completed prior to
admission to the professional curriculum or may be waived by the PA program
director based on review by the PA program admission committee: BIO 105*, 312,
313 and one of the following: BIO 306 or 408 or MIC 406 or BIO 424; CHM 103*,
104; 300 or (303, 304 and 305); and one of the following: BIO 315, 435 or CHM
325 or (417 and 418); MIC 230; MTH 205* or 250* or 305; and MTH 151* or 207*;
PSY 100*. PHY 125*, or 103* and 104, or 203 and 204 are recommended.
(Satisfies college core requirements.)
Preclinical phase — 72 credits including CSC
421; PAS 422, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436; BIO
718, 719; CHM 427.
Clinical
phase — 54 credits including PAS 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466,
467, 470 (4 credits), 475. In addition, students must pass the PA
program’s summative exam, and be approved for graduation by the program’s
student progress and conduct committee.
Admission to the physician assistant program is
competitive with a class of 12 students admitted annually from an applicant
pool of approximately 100. Application materials are available in July of each
year with a November deadline for classes starting the following June. Most
students selected for the program already hold a baccalaureate degree and have
some health care experience.
At the time of application, candidates must have the
preprofessional curriculum completed, or be able to demonstrate a plan to
complete these courses prior to enrollment in the program. In addition to these
specific course prerequisites, candidates must also complete the UW-L General
Education program, or already hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
college; have completed a total of at least 90 semester credits; have a minimum
cumulative GPA of 3.00; and meet the program’s Technical Standards of
Performance (available in program materials). Candidates lacking one or more of
the preprofessional course requirements or the minimum GPA who have significant
work and life experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Factors considered in the admission process include:
1.Academic
preparation
2.
Motivation, maturity, ability to work with people, and suitability for clinical
practice
3.
Health care and other work experience
4.
Knowledge of the PA profession and the profession’s role in the health care
system
5.
Background in, and potential for future practice in the rural and/or
underserved service areas of the program’s partner
institutions.
6.
Letters of recommendation
7.
Personal and group interviews
PAS 422 Cr.
1
Clinical Neuroanatomy
This course provides the student an understanding of
the structure, organization and function of the central, peripheral and
autonomic nervous systems including the vascular supply to each of these
components. This provides the basis for appreciating the anatomical basis of
more common neurologic disorders and neurologic testing. Cadaveric specimens
are used in the laboratory. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant
program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 425 Cr.
5
Medical Pathophysiology
The study of pathophysiology provides the
understanding of the nature and mechanisms of disease which is the foundation
for critical thinking in clinical practice. This course provides a systematic
approach to the physiologic basis for disease. The general pathology of cell
injury, inflammation, infection and neoplasia is presented along with the
disease processes of organ systems including the gastrointestinal,
cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, renal, urinary, reproductive, musculo-
skeletal, immunological, endocrine, dermatological, and hematological systems.
Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and approval of the
PA program director.
PAS 426 Cr.
2
Clinical Pathology
Through participation in this course, students will
gain an understanding of the technologies used in the performance of clinical
diagnostic tests, be able to interpret these tests, and make appropriate
clinical correlations for patients states of disease and health. Students will
also develop competencies in the performance of selected laboratory tests.
Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and approval of the
PA program director.
PAS 427 Cr.
5
Medical Pharmacology
This course represents a broad survey of the general
principles of pharmacology. Included are the principles of pharmacokinetics and
pharmaco-dynamics, the mechanisms of action, toxicities and interactions of
specific drugs and drug groups, and an introduction to medical therapeutics.
The physiologic basis and clinical characteristics of disease states receptive
to pharmacologic therapy will also be discussed. The objective of the course is
to lay a cognitive foundation in pharmacology and therapeutics that can be
refined and applied in clinical practice. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician
assistant program and/or approval of the PA program
director.
PAS 428 Cr.
4
Medical Microbiology
This course is designed to introduce the general
principles of infectious diseases and the characteristics of the important
pathogens involved. The discussion will focus on the clinical aspects of each
infectious disease with a minor emphasis on the microbiology of the disease. A
survey of microorganisms that infect human beings, including bacterial, fungal,
viral, and parasitic pathogens, will be covered. In addition, the immune system
as it pertains to infectious diseases will also be discussed. A laboratory
component will demonstrate techniques utilized in both the clinical laboratory
and office settings. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant
program and/or approval of the PA program director.
PAS 429 Cr.
2
Clinical Diagnostic Skills
This course presents topics on the use of
hematologic, urine and electrocardiographic tests in the medical diagnostic
evaluation. Students learn to perform basic hematologic tests, urine analysis
and to interpret these tests. Interpretation of simple one lead and 12-lead
electrocardiograms in the clinical diagnostic setting is presented. Lect. 9,
Lab. 6. Prerequisite: admission to the physician assistant program and approval
of the PA program director. Offered J-term.
PAS 430 Cr.
3
Epidemiology and the Interpretation of
Medical Literature for Clinical Practice
This course presents concepts of epidemiology and
biostatistics as applied to the interpretation of the medical literature. A
systematic process for identifying published literature relevant to clinical
practice and evaluating its quality and applicability to the clinical situation
is presented. Students then identify, review and critique published research
appropriate to their clinical practice setting. In addition, a series of
seminar presentations of various issues of professional interest to PAs is also
presented. Lect. 3, Lab. 2. Prerequisite: admission to the physician assistant
program and approval of the PA program director. Offered Sem. I.
PAS 431 Cr.
3
Clinical Skills and Issues I
This course is the first of a three-semester
sequence designed to prepare physician assistant students for their
professional clinical role. This course provides an overview of the PA
profession, its history, current role in health care and other issues of
professional interest. Students also develop the patient interview and
communication skills through classroom and limited structured clinical
experiences. An introduction to radiographic anatomy and interpretation is also
presented. Prerequisite: admission to the physician assistant program and
permission of the PA program director. Offered summer session.
PAS 432 Cr.
4
Clinical Skills and Issues II
This course is the second of a three-semester
sequence designed to prepare physician assistant students for their
professional clinical role. An introduction to the medical history and physical
exam are presented and students begin to practice these skills both in the
teaching lab and in the clinical setting. The class also explores a variety of
issues of current interest to the PA profession, including medical, legal and
ethical issues in clinical practice. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: admission
to the physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
Offered
Sem. I.
PAS 433 Cr.
4
Clinical Skills and Issues III
This course is the third of a three-semester
sequence designed to prepare the physician assistant students for their
professional clinical role. Students continue to develop and refine their
patient communication, medical history and physical exam skills. Body system
specific and comprehensive medical history and physical exams are performed.
Special techniques for the examination of pediatric and geriatric patient are
also explored. Other professional issues are also considered, including impact
of spiritual and family systems issues in medical practice. Lect. 4, Lab. 2.
Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and approval of the
PA program director. Offered Sem. II.
PAS 434 Cr.
3
Wellness, Preventive Medicine and Healthcare
Systems
This course presents clinical prevention strategies
and the use of health and wellness education programs in the clinical setting.
It also provides the student with an understanding of current healthcare and
reimbursement systems, their operation and impact on community health and
medical practice. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program
and approval of the PA program director. Offered Sem. I.
PAS 435 Cr.
2
Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Skills
Developing a variety of procedural skills and
refining student skills in performing and interpreting the medical history and
physical exam are the primary purposes of this course.Students learn various
surgical protocols and procedures along with other standard diagnostic and
hospital procedures typically used in primary care practice. Clinical staff
from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences take responsibility for
presenting this course which is only taught in Rochester during a 12-week
summer session. Lect. 2, Lab. 3. Prerequisites: admission to the physician
assistant program and approval of the PA program director. Offered summer
session.
PAS 436 Cr.
15
Introduction to Clinical Medicine
This course provides a comprehensive presentation of
primary care focused topics across the spectrum of clinical medicine. The
course is designed to allow PA students to develop critical clinical reasoning
skills, and the advanced understanding of disease processes and their treatment
necessary for the supervised practice of medicine. A broad range of clinician
instructors from the Mayo Clinic present lectures in their field. The course
includes a clinical therapeutics curriculum taught in an interdisciplinary
fashion with nurse practitioner students. A problem based learning series
develops students’ critical thinking skill using the students’ clinical patient
cases. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and approval
of the PA program director. Offered summer session.
PAS 450 Cr.
1-3
Topics in Clinical Science for Physician
Assistant Students
Topics for this course are selected by the
instructor and/or as developed by student/faculty dialogue to meet special
interests and needs of students in the physician assistant professional
curriculum. Such topics are chosen from those not specifically presented within
the required or existing PA program curriculum. Prerequisite: admission to the
physician assistant program. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6.
PAS 460 Cr.
2
Dermatology Clinical Rotation
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 dermatologist 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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 461 Cr.
4
Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation
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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 462 Cr.
6
General Surgery Clinical Rotation
This six-week 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 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. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant
program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 463 Cr.
6
Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation
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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 464 Cr.
6
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clinical Rotation
This six-week rotation provides an opportunity for
the physician assistant 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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 465 Cr.
4
Orthopedics Clinical Rotation
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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 466 Cr.
6
Pediatrics Clinical Rotation
During the six-week pediatric rotation the physician
assistant 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 out-patient 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.
Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and approval of the
PA program director.
PAS 467 Cr.
4
Psychiatry Clinical Rotation
The clinical rotation in psychiatry, four weeks in
length, involves experiences, primarily in out-patient 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 of 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. Prerequisites: admission to the
physician assistant program and approval of the PA program director.
PAS 470 Cr.
2-4
Independent Study: Elective Clinical
Rotation(s)
During the preclinical phase and early portion of
the clinical phase physician assistant 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 rotations(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. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant
program and approval of the PA program director. Pass/Fail grading.
Family Medicine Preceptorship
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 physician assistants
or nurse practitioners 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 written examinations at the middle and end of the
preceptorship. Prerequisites: admission to the physician assistant program and
approval of the PA program director.