Physician Assistant Program Description

Summer I

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis I	3 credits
Pathophysiology I	2 credits
Medical Anatomy and Physiology I	2 credits
Diagnostic Methods I	2 credits
Developmental Medicine I	1 credit
Research Methods/Epidemiology	3 credits

Fall I

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis II	2 credits
Pathophysiology II	2 credits
Medical Anatomy and Physiology II	2 credits
Diagnostic Methods II	3 credits
Clinical Medicine I	4 credits
Basic Medical Science I	2 credits
Developmental Medicine II	1 credits
Seminar I	1 credit

Spring I

Clinical Medicine II	5 credits
Basic Medical Science II	5 credits
Behavioral Sciences	1 credit
Developmental Medicine III	2 credits
Seminar II	1 credit
Concepts and Issues in Gerontology	3 credits

Summer II

Clerkship I	3 credits
Clerkship II	3 credits

Fall II

Clerkship III	3 credits
Clerkship IV	3 credits
Clerkship V	3 credits
Course specific to track/Elective	3 credits

Spring II

Clerkship VI	3 credits
Preceptorship I	6 credits

Summer III

Preceptorship II

6 credits

 

PA 510 CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS I
(3.0 Graduate credits)

This course is designed to provide students with the background and skills needed to make accurate assessments and diagnoses using detailed history taking and an appropriate and thorough physical exam. The course will be taught using a system based approach incorporating lecture, audio-visual aids, teaching models, and clinical laboratory sessions. Practical experience and the supervision of a physician will enable the student to become more proficient in the technique of history-taking and physical findings in such a way that a supervising physician will determine the next appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic step.

PA 520A PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I
(2.0 Graduate credits)

Brief review of the anatomy and physiology of the organ system will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on the essential aspects of anatomy, physiology and histology used in the understanding of pathology. Disease processes will be presented with regard to definition or description of the disease, etiology, pathogenesis, pathology, clinical features and therapy or prognosis.

PA 522 MEDICAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
(4.0 graduate credits)

Human Structure and Function is an eight week intense course, that will take the student through the anatomical and physiological aspects of the human body via a systems based approach.  The instructional material will be presented in a multidisciplinary format to foster the integration of the basic disciplines of Gross Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Clinical Anatomy, and Physiology.  The integration of these disciplines requires lectures, tutorials and clinical case lectures as well as active learning with dissection experiences in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory, examining surface anatomy on Standardized Patients or simulation models and conducting a physical examination in the Clinical Skills Center. Students will also learn how to "read" normal medical images and locate important geographic landmarks within the body. 

PA 540 DIAGNOSTIC METHODS I
(2.0 Graduate credits)

Course in: laboratory analysis and medical microbiology. Selection and interpretation of appropriate routine and special diagnostic, monitoring and screening laboratory tests. This is the first semester of a two semester course.  This semester will cover hematology and coagulation basics and disorders.  Medical microbiology will review the basics of bacteriology and virology. It will also instruct the student in common infectious agents in each of the systems of the human body. There will be a review of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

PA 570 DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE I
(1.0 Graduate credit)

An introduction to geriatric medicine, including changes associated with aging, considering physical, social and emotional impact.

PA 580 RESEARCH METHODS/EPIDEMIOLOGY
(3.0 Graduate credits)

Introduction to research methodology and statistical analysis with emphasis on the epidemiology of infectious disease and preventive medicine. This course is intended to provide physician assistant students the basic concepts of epidemiology and preventive medicine and a methodical approach of reviewing and interpreting health science research literature. The student will thereto be able to demonstrate how to evaluate the quality and content of a research article and command a thorough knowledge of epidemiological principles, and their relationship to morbidity and mortality, disease surveillance, and preventive medicine.

 PA 511 CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS II
(3.0 Graduate credits)

A continuation of PA 510. The PA student will further develop and refine skills in history taking and physical examination. This course will include systems not covered in PA 510, and signs and symptoms of disease processes relevant to these systems. Clinical skills will continue to be developed, and the student will participate in clinical laboratory sessions both on and off campus.

PA 521A PATHOPHYSIOLOGY II
(2.0 Graduate credits)

A continuation of PA 520. Instruction in the pathologic basis of disease. Topics include systems not covered in PA 520, with emphasis placed on the consequences of medical intervention based on theories of pathogenesis.

PA 541 DIAGNOSTIC METHODS II
(4.0 Graduate credits)

Developing the understanding of various laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of disease including disturbances of acid-base, electrolyte disorders, renal disorders and disorders of the endocrine system. EKG interpretations including: electro-physiology, axis, rate and rhythm, as well as differential diagnosis of arrhythmias.

This course includes components in lab medicine (2 hours per week), EKG interpretation (1.5 hours per week), and radiology (1.5 hours per week).

PA 530 CLINICAL MEDICINE I
(4.0 Graduate credits)

Includes disease processes, orthopedics, dermatology and psychiatry. A comprehensive study of disease processes as they relate to specific organ systems, EENT and cardiopulmonary systems. Significance of: signs and symptoms of various disease diagnosis procedures and therapeutic measures used in treating diseases. Instruction in common disorders of the skeletal system. Recognition of: dermatological diseases, treatment and referral. Recognition, diagnosis, treatment and referral of patients with behavioral and mental disorders encountered in primary care settings.

PA 550 BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE I
(2.0 Graduate credits)

Introduction to pharmacology including: pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, therapeutic use, adverse effects of major drug classes and prescription rationale. Basic concepts of epidemiology and preventive medicine, morbidity and mortality, and concepts of epidemiology and preventive medicine, morbidity and mortality, and disease surveillance will be discussed. Introduction to: research and evaluation of medical literature. Review of medical nutritional therapy will be covered.

PA 571 DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE(Pediatrics)
(2.0 Graduate credits)

This is the first semester of a two semester course that will teach the PA student the basics of pediatric medicine including normal development throughout the adolescent lifespan, nutritional status, common childhood diseases and immunizations.

PA 590 SEMINAR I
(1.0 Graduate credit)

Case studies, readings and group discussions will be used to focus on issues of concern to physician assistants. Mini rotations in a variety of clinical settings will be assigned in conjunction with the seminar. The students will go to local nursing homes and perform history and physical examinations on residents. Guest speakers will present various topics.  Cultural diversity and awareness will be applied to patient care.

PA 531 CLINICAL MEDICINE II
(5.0 Graduate credits)

A continuation of PA 530. This course is a combination of clinical medicine, dermatology, critical care, pediatrics II, and genomic medicine.  This course will focus on disease states of all organ systems of the human body as well as diagnosis and treatment. Dermatology will instruct the student in common dermatological diseases, treatment and referral.  Critical care will instruct the student in the care of the critically ill patient, including respirator use, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease and acutely ill post-operative patients and trauma patients. Pediatric medicine will cover stages of physical and social development and the importance of immunizations.  Genomic medicine will instruct the student in the basics of human genetics.  The student will learn the presentation, diagnostic methods and treatment of many genetic linked diseases.

PA 551 BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE II
(2.0 Graduate credits)

Continuation of PA 550. This course includes pharmacology II, general surgery, emergency medicine, and medical nutrition. Pharmacology will instruct the student in therapeutic  regimens related to additional classes of drugs not covered in pharmacology I.  Surgery will provide an introduction to a comprehensive overview of the most commonly encountered surgical diseases with emphasis on surgical anatomy, pre and post-operative care, operative approaches and surgical considerations.  Emergency medicine provides an introduction to: emergency medicine, recognition of common emergency complaints, differential diagnosis and management. Medical nutrition will cover the basics of the food pyramid, nutritional needs and issues throughout the lifespan, and caloric and nutritional needs for the ill.

PA 560 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
(1.0 Graduate credits)

Focus on issues in health care as related to the PA profession, including history of profession, changes in the health care system, women's health and legal issues pertaining to the delivery of health care. Advanced topics of ethical issues will be discussed. A combination of lecture and practical applications will be employed to teach medical interviewing.

PA 572 DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE III

(2.0 graduate credits)

This course will cover obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry.  Ob/gyn will provide an introduction to basic knowledge of obstetrics and gynecology, including life cycle changes, pregnancy and delivery. Psychiatry will introduce the recognition, diagnosis, treatment and referral of patients with behavioral and mental disorders encountered in primary care settings.

PA 591 SEMINAR II
(1.0 Graduate credit)

Case studies, readings and group discussions will be used to focus on issues of concern to physician assistants. Mini rotations in a variety of clinical settings will be assigned in conjunction with the seminar. A basic understanding of the dimensions of human sexuality will be provided including historical and cross cultural perspectives of sexuality, developmental sexuality and social issues. Guest speakers will present various topics.

Degree Conferred and Certification

Those students who have successfully completed the Professional Phase of the PA Program will be awarded a Masters of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Once a candidate passes the examination, he/she is certified to perform a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services as a PA-C, under the supervision of a licensed physician.

 

Accreditation and Memberships

The Marywood University Physician Assistant Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The most recent accreditation is dated March 2009. The next review will take place in 2012.

We are institutional members of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) and The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the only national organization that represents physician assistants in all specialties and all employment Marywood's.