Physician Assistant (PAST)

This is a one-semester course for students enrolled in the Jefferson School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program. The course covers the structure of the human anatomy through the use of lectures, clinical applications and dissection of the human cadavers. Advanced Human Anatomy is designed to introduce the student to the gross structure of the human cadaver. The material is divided into the following regions: back, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, upper extremity, lower extremity, neck, and head. The major visceral structures of each region and their important functional interrelationships are described in lecture and examined during dissection. The visceral relationships in each region are emphasized. The course will incorporate core textbook readings, didactic lectures by the faculty of the Department of Medical Education, audiovisual demonstrations, on-line discussions and laboratory dissection of human cadavers that will be performed in small groups. The laboratory instruction will correlate with the lectures. The students will have ample time to practice their dissection skills with faculty observation and critique. Students will also be expected to self-assess their strengths and deficiencies and seek out tutorials and advice to remedy.

This course is designed to instruct students in the basic skills of medical interviewing and documentation, as well as an introduction to physical examinations. Students will learn how to perform a complete medical history and provide patient education with a focus on health promotion. This course will include lectures, lab, and small group seminars in which students will practice, evaluate, and reflect on their medical interviewing skills.

This is the first of three courses designed to prepare the Physician Assistant student to perform comprehensive physical examinations, with special sensitivity to gender, age, and cultural background. The course will focus primarily on the adult patient, progressing through the examination of each of the body systems in a sequential manner. Lectures will emphasize didactic instruction in the following areas: examination skills, normal findings, normal variants, and abnormal findings. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the relationship of major signs and symptoms to their physiologic or pathophysiologic origins. Live demonstrations and videos will be utilized to enhance the lectures. The laboratory will allow students to practice their history taking and physical examination skills in small groups facilitated by faculty members.

This course is the second of three courses designed to prepare the Physician Assistant student to perform comprehensive physical examinations, with special sensitivity to gender, age and cultural background. The course will focus primarily on the adult patient, progressing through the examination of each of the body systems in a sequential manner. Lectures will emphasize didactic instruction in the following areas, examination skills, normal findings, normal variants, and abnormal findings. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the relationship of major signs and symptoms to their physiologic or pathophysiologic origins. Live demonstrations and videos will be utilized to enhance the lectures. The laboratory will allow students to practice their history taking and physical examination skills in small groups facilitated by faculty members.

This course is the final of a series of three courses designed to prepare the Physician Assistant student to perform comprehensive physical examinations, with special sensitivity to gender, age and cultural background. The course will continue the progression of examination for each of the body systems in a sequential manner. The course will be taught in conjunction with Pathophysiology III, Clinical Skills III, Pharmacology III, and Clinical Medicine IV. Lectures will emphasize didactic instruction in examination skills, normal findings, normal variants, and abnormal findings. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the relationship of significant signs and symptoms to their physiologic or pathophysiologic origins. Live demonstrations and videos will be utilized to enhance the lectures. The laboratory will allow students to practice their history taking and physical examination skills in small groups facilitated by faculty members.

This is an introductory course examining health care related issues in today’s society. It begins with a review of the history and evolution of the Physician Assistant profession in US medicine and globally. Topics to be discussed are the status, trends and characteristics of the Physician Assistant as health care providers, their education, regulation, practice patterns, external relations and professional organizations. Issues related to the Physician Assistant practice such as billing and coding and PA practice settings will also be covered. Students will acquire knowledge of various aspects of the Physician Assistant profession including, but not limited to state regulatory systems, credentialing, and the globalization of the profession.

This course is designed to give students an appreciation of medical ethics and their legal implications. Lectures will provide students with a basic understanding of the ethical responsibilities of Physician Assistants as health care practitioners and as individuals. The course will provide insight and foster critical thinking in the practical application of ethical issues that arise in the practice of medicine. The course will encourage the attributes of respect for self and others and a commitment to welfare of the patient. Legal issues such as litigation and contemporary medical legislation will be discussed.

This course is designed to provide the students with an introduction to locating, reading, and evaluating medical literature, current medical evidence, and public health concepts. The first module will consist of instruction on basic evidence-based practices and interpretations of data. The students will be instructed in medical literature searches, literature evaluation, and how to use the results of their research. Students will be required to appraise current literature critically and to construct quality clinical questions surrounding medical cases. The second module will consist of lectures on basic public health concepts.

This is the first of a series of four Clinical Medicine courses. This course will cover all aspects of common medical conditions, including epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management and prognosis. The course content is integrated with content in Physiology and Pathophysiology I, Clinical Skills I, and Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics I, which will provide a foundation for Clinical Medicine I. The following organ systems will be covered in this semester: genetics, hematology & oncology, infectious disease, otorhinolaryngology, and dermatology. The course will consist of lectures and small group seminars which will foster the development of critical thinking in the evaluation and management of patients.

This is the second of a series of four Clinical Medicine courses. This course willcover all aspects of common medical conditions including epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management & prognosis. The course content is integrated with content in Physiology and Pathophysiology II, Clinical Medicine III, Clinical Skills II and Pharmacology & Clinical Therapeutics II. The following organ systems will be covered this semester: pulmonology, cardiology, and urology. The course will include lectures which will foster the development of critical thinking in the evaluation and management of patients.

This is the third of a series of four Clinical Medicine courses. This course will cover all aspects of common medical conditions including epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management & prognosis. The course content is integrated with content in Physiology and Pathophysiology II, Clinical Medicine III, Clinical Skills II and Pharmacology & Clinical Therapeutics II. The following organ systems will be covered this semester: nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and orthopedics. The course will include lectures, which will foster the development of critical thinking in the evaluation and management of patients.

This is the fourth of a three series of four Clinical Medicine courses. The course will cover all aspects of common medical conditions, including pidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management and prognosis. The course content is integrated with the content in Physiology and Pathophysiology III, Clinical Skills III and Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics III, which will provide a foundation for Clinical Medicine IV. The following organ systems will be covered in this course: neurology, rheumatology, obstetrics and gynecology. Additionally, a fundamental review of Geriatric medicine is covered in this course.

This is the first of a three-semester course teaching advanced clinical skills. This course is designed to guide the Physician Assistant student through diagnostic tests and clinical procedures associated with conditions commonly encountered in the medical setting. Through combined lectures, case discussion, demonstrations and practice sessions, students will learn to use and/or interpret a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities and procedures.

This is the second of three courses in the Clinical Skills series. This course is designed to guide the Physician Assistant student through diagnostic tests and clinical procedures associated with conditions commonly encountered in the medical setting. This course is closely aligned with Clinical Medicine II and Clinical Medicine III, and will cover diagnostic testing and procedures related to cardiology, pulmonology, urology, nephrology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and orthopedics. The class will consist of lectures and labs, as well as participation in the Jefferson Health Mentors Program.

This course is designed to guide the Physician Assistant student through diagnostic tests and clinical procedures associated with conditions commonly encountered in the medical setting. This course is closely aligned with Clinical Medicine III and Special Topics in Medicine. The course will cover diagnostic testing and procedures related to neurology, wound management, surgical procedures, and geriatric assessments. The class will consist of lectures and labs.

This is the first of three courses in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics. This course will provide an in-depth survey on the general principles of pharmacology and the application of these principles to patient care situations. Students will learn the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics. Instruction on individual drugs or drug classes will include dosage forms, dose-response relationships, mechanism of action, side effects and toxicities, contraindications, and drug interaction. This course will cover medications related to hematology, oncology, infectious disease, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and dermatology. Successful completion of all Pre-Fall course work is required to enroll in this course.

This is the second of three courses in Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics. This course will provide an in depth survey on the general principles of pharmacology and the application of these principles to patient care situations. Instruction on individual drugs or drug classes will include dosage forms, dose-response relationships, mechanism of action, side effects and toxicities, contraindications, and drug interaction. This course will cover agents used in cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, nephrology, urology, and gastroenterology.

This is the third in a three-semester course that teaches the principles of pharmacology and how to apply these principles to patient care situations. The focus is on mechanisms of drug action in different therapeutic classes, common side effects of prototypic drugs in each category, drug side effects and drug-drug interactions, the interaction of drugs with the disease state under treatment, and reputable sources of information about drugs. The learning experience offered students is coordinated with that occurring in Physiology and Pathophysiology III and Clinical Medicine III. The course will involve lecture as well as clinically correlated cases. Evidence-based medicine practice is woven through the above areas where available and appropriate.

This is the first of three courses in Physiology & Pathophysiology. The course follows an organ system structure, and is closely integrated with Clinical Medicine I. Lectures will proceed through organ based modules emphasizing normal physiology of the system followed by the pathophysiology of diseases related to each system covered. This semester the modules that will be covered include basic cell function and growth, dermatology, ophthalmology

This is the second of three courses in Physiology and Pathophysiology. The course follows an organ systems organization, and is closely integrated with Clinical Medicine II and III. The course focuses on normal and abnormal organ function. Lectures will proceed through the organ systems, emphasizing first the normal physiology of the system, followed by the pathophysiology of diseases related to that system. This semester topics to be covered will include the cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, endocrinology, musculoskeletal and gastroenterology.

This is the third of three courses in Physiology and Pathophysiology. The course follows an organ systems organization and is closely integrated with Clinical Medicine III. The course focuses on normal and abnormal organ function. Lectures will proceed through the organ systems, emphasizing first the normal physiology of the system, followed by the pathophysiology of diseases related to that system. This semester topics to be covered will include the neurology, rheumatology, women’s health and the pathophysiology of aging. Successful completion of all Spring 1 course work is required to enroll in this course.

This course introduces behavioral science theories, skills, and tools to the Physician Assistant student to enhance communication skills and enhance understanding of mental health conditions. This course will focus on cultural issues, recognition and management of domestic violence and abuse, issues related to death and dying, and common psychiatric conditions. Where possible the course content is integrated with content in pharmacology and clinical therapeutics.

This course is designed to give the physician assistant student the knowledge and skills to apply principles of health promotion and disease prevention in a variety of clinical and community settings. The course provides instruction in social issues that affect medical care, principles of preventive medicine, medical nutrition, and principles of communication that will aid in promoting healthy behaviors in the community. This course contains a combination of lectures, case presentations, readings, and small group discussions to develop the clinical medicine skills and knowledge set that a physician assistant will need to deliver and enhance patient care in the clinical practice settings.

Presents the student with the concepts of Healthcare quality and dafety as horizontally and vertically integrated throughout the healthcare system. Using the STEEEP framework from the Institute of Medicine's seminal 2001 approach and codified in the World Health Organization's definition of quality, the student learns about safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable and patient-centered care and their applications in population health and health care delivery.

This is a modular course encompassing Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and other topics in medicine. Students will work through introductory lectures in each of these topics as well as learn about the epidemiology, etiologies, clinical presentations, laboratory evaluation and therapeutic management of common conditions seen in each of these fields of medicine.

This integrative seminar course is designed to synthesize history taking and physical diagnosis skills with the medical, diagnostic and pharmacologic knowledge gained throughout the didactic phase of the PA program in order to apply it to stimulated patients presentations. Working in small groups and individually, students will interact with patient simulators and standardized patients to elicit a history, do an appropriate physical exam, order and/or interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans and perform appropriate interventions.

Clinical Correlations of Public Health Clinical Correlations of Public Health is a lecture and group discussion course that will allow physician assistant students to gain a fundamental understanding of public health,health policy, and its impact on clinical practice. In addition, this course will provide practical approaches for physician assitant sutdents to provide appropriate patient education for patients with modifiable risk factors for disease.

This lecture course uses an organ-system organization to present an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation and management of common diseases encountered in primary care. The course includes modules in: epidemiology, infectious disease, cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, endocrinology, nephrology, urology, rheumatology, neurology, dermatology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and psychiatry. Principles of health promotion and disease prevention are also presented.

This lecture and case study seminar course is designed to introduce students to the principles of pharmacology, including the absorption, bioavailability, distribution, metabolism, excretion, classification and mechanism of action of commonly prescribed medications. Additionally, this course will give students an understanding of how drugs are used in clinical practice, including the clinical indications, contraindications, dosing, side effects and monitoring of commonly used medications.

This lecture and laboratory course encompasses emergent presentations and management of common primary care and emergency-care problems. Laboratory sessions cover procedures necessary for the delivery of emergency medical care. This course also includes limited emergency room patient exposure with written assignments.

Diagnostic Medicine In this lecture and laboratory course, students will perform, order, and interpret commonly used diagnostic and laboratory studies. Topics covered will include radiologic studies, electrocardiograms, microbiology, and blood studies. Corequisite: PAST-611

Clinical Reasoning This small group seminar course uses clinical case studies and role-playing to guide students in the development of directed history and physical examination, clniical reasoning, case presentation and patient counseling skills. Application of evidenced based medicine principles to clinical scenarios will be integral as part of patient management. Finally, various forms of medical documentation will be introduced and practiced.

During this lecture and workshop course, the physician-assistant student is introduced to the basic principles of diagnosis and treatment in the medical disciplines of pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology. The female and male reproductive system examination workshop is also a component of this course.

This course will use small-group, case-study, problem-based seminars to demonstrate the practical utilization of medications in the clinical setting. Prescription writing, dosing, titration and ongoing monitoring will be the focus of the course. Prerequisite :PAST-613 PAST-614

Advanced Disgnostic Medicine Seminar This seminar course builds upon the foundation of knowledge in chest x-ray, abdominal x-ray, bone x-ray and ECG interpretation gained in Diagnostic Medicine. Other advanced radiologic studies such as CT scans of the head and MRIs are also reviewed. Students will recognize common disease patterns as seen on these studies.

In this second lecture-based course of a three-semester series, you will continue to learn about many components and aspects that embody the art of the practice of medicine. You will continue to explore the areas of where your work as a PA intersects with ethics, evidence-based medicine, behavioral medicine, and public health, as well as study skills and stress management. This course will also present material on the structure of our healthcare system and those factors that affect health policy.

This is the second of a three-semester lecture, skills, and clinical reasoning laboratory-based course designed to provide students with the communication, humanistic, medical history, physical examination, and clinical reasoning skills needed to practice medicine. This course will expand your skills to include oral presentations, diagnostic workups, suggestions for treatment plans, and patient education.

This second of a three-semester lecture-based course is designed to provide students with the medical and scientific concepts needed to practice medicine to include physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentations of disease states, diagnostics studies, and treatment approaches.

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

This lecture and laboratory based course is designed as a transitional course to provide the students with the needed skills to effectively navigate their learning and the clinical setting. The laboratory portion of this course will teach commonly utilized clinical procedures and skills which students will be performing while on rotations. 

This lecture and laboratory based course is designed as a transitional course to provide the students with the needed skills to effectively navigate their learning and the clinical setting. The laboratory portion of this course will teach commonly utilized clinical procedures and skills which students will be performing while on rotations.

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

The physician assistant student will complete nine (5- to 6-week) rotations in the following clinical areas: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Primary Care 1 & 2, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine, Elective rotation. Prerequisite: Complete all other PA didactic course work before registering for clinical rotations

This course, which takes place throughout the entire clinical year, is the capstone experience of the PA program. It consists of multiple components to assess the students’ progression and knowledge base throughout the clinical year. It consists of two components. The first is an independent project which will be developed with, and supervised by, a faculty advisor to include an extensive literature review, integration of knowledge acquired throughout the curriculum, a written assignment and an oral presentation. The course also includes a multi-faceted summative evaluation/assessment procedure consisting of: a comprehensive written examination that encompasses topics drawn from the entire PA program curriculum; a series of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) using standardized patients where students must demonstrate the ability to elicit a medical history, perform a physical examination, order appropriate diagnostic studies, formulate a diagnosis, develop a management plan, render patient education and document the findings, all as appropriate to the clinical cases presented. Students must successfully pass the independent project and the multi-faceted evaluation procedure in order to complete the requirements for this course and the master's degree. Prerequisite :Complete all PA professional didactic courses before registering for PAST-772