Physical Assistant Studies (PAS)

PAS 501. Clinical Medicine I. 7 Credit Hours.

This case-based course introduces students to the fundamentals of medical practice, including history taking and physical examination skills. Utilizing a systems approach, it includes a comprehensive study of diseases with emphasis on etiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic measures involved in treating the various medical problems. Various aspects of preventive medicine, patient counseling and education, medical law and ethics, medical economics, physician assistant practice, and other related factors are incorporated. This course is closely integrated with Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Pharmacology I.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Physician Assistant Program.

PAS 501R. Clinical Medicine I-PBL Recitation. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 502. Clinical Medicine II. 7 Credit Hours.

This is a continuation of PAS 501 Clinical Medicine I, and is integrated with Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Pharmacology II.

PAS 502R. Clinical Medicine II - PBL Recitation. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 503. Clinical Medicine III. 7 Credit Hours.

This is an advanced course in clinical medicine topics with focus on integrating basic sciences, basic medical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of cases, lectures, and laboratory experiences provide the student with an opportunity to solidify clinical skills, critical thinking skills, self-directed learning, and professional communication skills. Prerequisites: Completion of PAS 501 and 502. Open only to Physician Assistant Studies students. Required for completion of degree. Course fee of $300.

Prerequisite: PAS 501 and PAS 502.

PAS 503L. Clinical Med III Lab. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 511. Human Anatomy & Physiology I. 4 Credit Hours.

This course utilizes a systems approach to applied functional human anatomy and physiology. It includes both classroom and lab sessions so that students develop an understanding of the integral workings of the human body. Lab sessions will use models, computer simulated software, and prosected human cadavers. Body systems covered include nervous, special sense, endocrine, musculoskeletal, renal, reproductive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive. The order may be rearranged to integrate with Clinical Medicine I and Pharmacology I.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Physician Assistant Program.

PAS 511L. Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab. 0 Credit Hour.

This course utilizes a systems approach to applied functional human anatomy and physiology. It includes both classroom and lab sessions so that students develop an understanding of the integral workings of the human body. Lab sessions will use models, computer simulated software, and prosecuted human cadavers. Body systems covered include nervous, special sense, endocrine, musculoskeletal, renal, reproductive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive. The order may be rearranged to integrate with Clinical Medicine I and Pharmacology I.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Physician Assistant Program.

PAS 512. Human Anatomy & Physiology II. 4 Credit Hours.

This is a continuation of PAS 511 and is integrated with Clinical Medicine II and Pharmacology II. Remaining body systems will be covered through didactic and laboratory sessions and will integrate with Clinical Medicine II and Pharmacology II.

PAS 512L. Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 513. Pharmacology I. 3 Credit Hours.

Medical management of diseases affecting the major body systems will be covered in this course, including the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents. Students learn the principle mechanisms of action of the major groups of therapeutic agents, absorption, metabolism, distribution, uses, side effects, and toxicities of representative drugs. It is closely integrated with PAS 501 Clinical Medicine I and PAS 511 Anatomy & Physiology I.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Physician Assistant Program.

PAS 514. Pharmacology II. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a continuation of PAS 513 Pharmacology I. Medical management of diseases affecting the major body systems will be covered in this course, including the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents. Students learn the principal mechanisms of action of the major groups of therapeutic agents, absorption, metabolism, distribution, uses, side effects, and toxicties of representative drugs. It is closey integrated with PAS 502 Clinical Medicine II and PAS 512 Anatomy & Physiology II.

PAS 515. Counseling and Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers general public health concepts, including health promotion and disease prevention. Patient education, counseling, and intervention strategies are covered. Students explore available community and public health resources relevant to patient needs throughout the lifespan of pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. Content is based on Healthy People 2030 guidelines.

PAS 516. Physical Diagnosis and Patient Evaluation Laboratory I. 4 Credit Hours.

This course presents the techniques necessary to elicit comprehensive medical histories, perform complete physical examinations, make case presentations, and document patient information. A combination of lectures, discussions, case studies and simulations will be used to present and practice concepts. Each aspect of the course emphasizes the importance of creating a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and other healthcare professionals. The course integrates material from Clinical Medicine I, Pharmacology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Medical Humanities.

PAS 516L. Physical Diagnosis and Patient Evaluation Laboratory I. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 517. Physical Diagnosis and Patient Evaluation Laboratory II. 4 Credit Hours.

This course presents the techniques necessary to elicit comprehensive as well as focused medical histories, perform complete or focused physical examinations, understand the indications for and evaluation of various ancillary studies, make case presentations, and record various types of patient information, including an introduction to electronic Medical Records systems. A combination of lectures, discussions, case studies and simulations will be used to present and practice concepts. Each aspect of the course emphasizes the importance of creating a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and other healthcare professionals. The course integrates material from Clinical Medicine II, Pharmacology II, Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Medical Humanities II.

Prerequisite: PAS 516 with a grade of "B" or better.

PAS 517L. Physical Diagnosis and Patient Evaluation Laboratory II. 0 Credit Hour.

PAS 518. Physical Diagnosis and Patient Evaluation Laboratory III. 4 Credit Hours.

In the Summer Semester the previously taught skills of obtaining comprehensive or focused medical histories, performing complete or focused physical examinations, performing oral case presentations, documenting various types of patient information are reinforced. Instruction in the special patient populations of Women's Health Care, Geriatric and Pediatric Health Assessment is given. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on Competenecy-based evaluation as the student moves toward clinical rotations through a combination of lectures, discussions, case studies and simulations training. Each aspect of the course emphasizes the importance of creating a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and other healthcare professionals. The course intergrates material from Clinical Medicine III.

Prerequisite: PAS-516 and PAS-517.

PAS 521. Medical Humanities Seminar I. 3 Credit Hours.

Medical Humanities is an interdisciplinary series of lectures, practicums and dialogues designed to enege PA students in thinking critically about multiple issues that transcend bioscience, and emphasize psychology, social science and spirituality in a patient-centered forum. We expand cultural competence through diversity training in order to prepare students for a 21st century workplace and multicultural environment. Through communication and interviewing skills practicum, we strive to expose biases and stereotypes that can restrict professional achievement and interfere with patient care. To this end, we include a variety of perspectives; we discuss social contexts, consider equity and justice, and include activities that foster critical thinking and self-awareness. Views, ideas, lifestyles that are underrepresented or less common, are also explored in order to showcase a more holistic understanding of the person. Whenever possible, this course will be coordinated with PAS 501 and PAS 502. Fulfills core requirement(s): Diversity (DIV) and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS).

PAS 522. Medical Humanities Seminar II. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a yearlong, interdisciplinary seminar designed to engage students in thinking critically about fundamental ethical, cultural, religious, and social issues concerning health, medical practice, access to health care and public policy. By taking note of the plurality of cultural and social contexts in which medical care and moral discourse about medical care take place, students will explore the values, ideologies, and institutional practices that shape the meanings that health, illness, and acceptable medical practices have for patients and for health care practitioners and that influence medical decision- making and interactions between patients and health care practitioners. Course will be coordinated with PAS 502(Clinical Medicine II.).

PAS 590. Independent Study. 1-7 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to enhance clinical skills for academic credit. The student will work with the faculty member to determine the goal to be achieved, methodology to be followed, schedule of supervision, end product, evaluation procedures, and the number of credits sought. The proposal must be approved by the supervising faculty member, the Program Director, and the Dean of the Purcell School of Professional Studies.

PAS 600. Orientation to PA Profession. 0 Credit Hour.

This course introduces the physician assistant to the history of the profession, role of the physician assistant in the health care team, professional organizations, requirements for licensure (including graduation from an accredited program, certification and recertification requirements), credentialing, professional liability, and general trends in political and legal issues that affect PA practice. Course is Pass/Fail.

PAS 601. Research Seminar I. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is the first of 5 seminars that will culminate in the completion of a master's project. Working in collaboration with faculty sponsors, students will produce a scholarly work pertaining to the science, practice or profession of physician assistant. Each project must include a review of a relevant scholarly literature, involve the analysis of data, and be conducted by students working in teams of perhaps 3 to 4. Specific topics of investigation will depend on the interests of students and faculty, and on available resources. In this seminar, students will explore their research interests and those of the faculty, and create their project teams. Project teams will then decide upon the questions or problems they wish to investigate, design methods by which to investigate the problems, identify relevant resources, consult with local agencies and experts as necessary, and create inital and updated outlines of project proposals. In addition, students will become familiar with many of the research designs and statistical concepts of evidence-based medicine.

PAS 602. Research Seminar II. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is the second of 5 seminars that will culminate in the completion of a master's project. Working in collaboration with faculty sponsors, students will produce a scholarly work pertaining to the science, practice or profession of physician assistant. Each project must include a review of relevant scholarly literature, involve the analysis of data and be conducted by students working in teams of perhaps 3 to 4. Specific topics of investigation will depend on the interests of students and faculty, and on available resources. In this seminar, project teams will create formal project proposals in which they explain the questions or problems to be investigated and the methodologies to be used, and write drafts of applications for review of research by the College's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects(IRB). In addition, students will continue their study of the research designs and statistical concepts of evidence-based medicine.

Prerequisites: PAS 601.

PAS 603. Research Seminar III. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is the third of 5 seminars that will culminate in the completion of a master's project. Working in collaboration with faculty sponsors, students will produce a scholarly work pertaining to the science, practice or profession of physician assistant. Each project must include a review of relevant scholarly literature, involve the analysis of data, and be conducted by students working in teams of perhaps 3 to 4. Specific topics of investigation will depend on the interests of students and faculty, and on available resources. In this seminar, project teams will submit to the College's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects(IRB) applications for review of research, write second drafts of the introduction and methods sections of their master's project reports, and continue their study of medical research designs and statistics.

Prerequisites: PAS 602.

PAS 604. Research Seminar IV. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is the fourth of 5 seminars that will culminate in the completion of a master's project. Working in collaboration with faculty sponsors, students will produce a scholarly work pertaining to the science, practice or profession of physician assistant. Each project must include a review of relevant scholarly literature, involve the analysis of data, and be conducted by students working in teams of perhaps 3 to 4. Specific topics of investigation will depend on the interests of students and faculty, and on available resources. In this seminar, project teams will collect and analyze their project data, and write drafts on the results sections of their project reports. Pass/Fail.

Prerequisites: PAS 603.

PAS 605. Research Seminar V. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is the fifth of 5 seminars that will culminate in the completion of a master's project. Working in collaboration with faculty sponsors, students will produce a scholarly work pertaining to the science, practice or profession of physician assistant. Each project must include a review of relevant scholarly literature, involve the analysis of data, and be conducted by students working in teams of perhaps 3 to 4. Specific topics of investigation will depend on the interests of students and faculty, and on available resources. In this seminar, students will complete their projects, submit final written rports, and present posters of their findings to the college community. Final reports and posters will follow the editorial style of the American Medical Association, and will incorporate explanations of the questions or problems that were investigated, assessments of the current state of knowledge pertinent to the questions or problems, descriptions of the methodologies and data analysis techniques that were used to answer the questions or resolve the problems, and discussions of findings, including summary and implications, recommendations, limitations and conclusions. Pass/Fail.

Prerequisites: PAS 604.

PAS 651. Professional Skills I. 3 Credit Hours.

The series of courses is designed to prepare Physician Assistant students to practice medicine in the current health-care system. The student will address legal and ethical issues as they relate to the health profession; study behavior aspects of medicine, social causes of illness, and preventative medicine; review the medical literature and apply it to a clinical setting; examine insurance, billing and coding issues; and refine the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during their clinical rotations. Communication skills, professional standards and requirements, advanced clinical topics, health care practice issues, patient response to illness, and other topics encountered in the clinical setting will be discussed. Pass/Fail. Course fee of $420.

PAS 652. Professional Skills II. 3 Credit Hours.

This series of courses is designed to prepare Physician Assistant students to practice medicine in the current heath-care system. The student will address legal and ethical issues as they relate to the health profession; study behavior aspects of medicine, social causes of illness, and preventative medicine; review the medical literature and apply it to a clinical setting; examine insurance, billing and coding issues; and refine the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during their clinical rotations. Communication skills, professional standards and requirements, advanced clinical topics, health care practice issues, patient response to illness, and other topics encountered in the clinical setting will be discussed. Pass/Fail.

PAS 653. Professional Skills III. 3 Credit Hours.

This series of courses is designed to prepare Physician Assistant students to practice medicine in the current health-care system. The student will address legal and ethical issues as they relate to the health profession; study behavior aspects of medicine, social causes of illness, and preventative medicine; review the medical literature and apply it to a clinical setting; examine insurance, billing and coding issues; and refine the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during their clinical rotations. Communication skills, professional standards and requirements, advanced clinical topics, health care practice issues, patient response to illness, and other topics encountered in the clinical setting will be discussed. Pass/Fail.

PAS 671. Clinical Rotation I. 3 Credit Hours.

Clinical rotations are five-week rotations spent full time in the clinical setting. Students are assigned to complete rotations such that they acquire clinical experiences that will prepare them to practice as Physician Assistants. Students complete rotations in (1) medicine, (2) family medicine, (3) pediatrics, (4) women's health/ambulatory care, (5) behavioral and mental health, (6) surgery, (7) emergency medicine, and (8/9) a surgical or medical specialty elective. Each rotation emphasizes cultural sensitivity, understanding of health in relationship to the predominant culture, and the role of the health care provider in the setting. Pass/fail.