PA - Physician Assistant Course Descriptions

This course introduces students to the history of the P.A. profession through an extensive review of original literature, including readings on medical manpower shortages, patient and provider acceptance, quality of care, substitutability, subspecialty development, and economic issues. The ethics portion explores contemporary ethical issues in the context of the role of a dependent practitioner.

The course teaches the principles of scientific reasoning through integrated problem-based learning, study, test taking, scientific reading and writing skills. Students participate in a three-day team building exercise (Ropes course) and seminars, which focus on listening and communication skills development. Students become familiar with the vocabulary of anatomical structures, disease processes, and the medical disciplines in this self-study programmed course. The terminology learned provides a foundation for the study of the preclinical and clinical sciences and enhances effective communication with other healthcare professionals.

Students are introduced to the role of the physician assistant-patient interaction; proper methods of obtaining a comprehensive patient history and performing of comprehensive physical examination and methods of written case presentations utilizing the problem-oriented medical record. Includes supervised small group practicums in the physical examinations.

Students are introduced to the role of the physician assistant-patient interaction; proper methods of obtaining a comprehensive patient history and performing of comprehensive physical examination and methods of written case presentations utilizing the problem-oriented medical record. Includes supervised small group practicums in the physical examinations.

Introduction to routine and problem oriented evaluation of the female patient with emphasis on office Gynecology, AIDS, and high-risk pregnancies.

Introduction of the general principles of drug actions and characteristics of classes of drugs currently used in primary care practice; drug safety and efficiency; duration of action; potential side effects or adverse reactions; drug interactions; prescription writing; and legal considerations.

This course presents the students with the key concepts of the evolution and expression of disease. The material covered is based upon the clinical importance and heuristic relevance of individual disorders. The lectures are supplemented by computer-assisted instruction.

This course introduces the students to the clinical implications of the physiologic changes occurring as a result of the aging process. It also emphasizes the problem with prescriptions and the elderly as well as injury prevention and home visits.

Basic introduction to growth and development, well-child care, and evaluation, diagnosis and management of common disorders from conception to young adulthood. Parent education and trauma prevention are stressed.

Introduction to selected common disorders warranting general and surgical subspecialty evaluation including pathophysiology, preoperative management, repair, post-operative management and recovery.

Introduction to fundamental disease processes constructed in units around the major subspecialties of Internal Medicine: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, and Neurology. Integration of knowledge acquired in preclinical sciences with an understanding of clinical signs and symptoms related to common disease entities; process of diagnostic hypothesis generation; and introduction to the principles of patient management and therapeutics. The section on Radiology introduces the student to the concepts of radiation safety, the indications, contraindications and preparations of routine and special studies. While covering nuclear imaging, CT and MRI studies, more than 2/3 of the section is devoted to teaching the student paradigms for reviewing normal radiographs. Also included in this sequence is a section on Dental Issues in Primary Care.

Introduction to fundamental disease processes constructed in units around the major subspecialties of Internal Medicine: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, and Neurology. Integration of knowledge acquired in preclinical sciences with an understanding of clinical signs and symptoms related to common disease entities; process of diagnostic hypothesis generation; and introduction to the principles of patient management and therapeutics. The section on Radiology introduces the student to the concepts of radiation safety, the indications, contraindications and preparations of routine and special studies. While covering nuclear imaging, CT and MRI studies, more than 2/3 of the section is devoted to teaching the student paradigms for reviewing normal radiographs. Also included in this sequence is a section on Dental Issues in Primary Care.

Introduction to fundamental disease processes constructed in units around the major subspecialties of Internal Medicine: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, and Neurology. Integration of knowledge acquired in preclinical sciences with an understanding of clinical signs and symptoms related to common disease entities; process of diagnostic hypothesis generation; and introduction to the principles of patient management and therapeutics. The section on Radiology introduces the student to the concepts of radiation safety, the indications, contraindications and preparations of routine and special studies. While covering nuclear imaging, CT and MRI studies, more than 2/3 of the section is devoted to teaching the student paradigms for reviewing normal radiographs. Also included in this sequence is a section on Dental Issues in Primary Care.

The objective of Gross Anatomy, Embryology, with Organ Imaging is to provide students with hands on experience in the study of the structure and function of the human body, and an understanding of relevant aspects of human development and its abnormalities. Gross Anatomy is explored via regional prosection. Students are expected to examine anatomic relationships leading to an integration of anatomic function and embryo-fetal development under normal and pathologic conditions.

This course emphasizes the role of Physician Assistants in educating patients about disease prevention. Principles of behavioral medicine are taught in conjunction with material on promoting healthy lifestyles.

The emergency medicine segment focuses on diagnosis, treatment and referral of medical and surgical conditions frequently encountered in the emergency room setting.

Students learn the critical thought process necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical problems.

Students learn the critical thought process necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical problems.

Basic concepts of mental health, signs and symptoms of mental disorders, methods of gathering data on a patient's mental status, and methods of managing mental health problems in primary care setup. The Department of Psychiatry teaches a sequence in stress management.

This course focuses on the cultural patterns of communication affecting the clinician-patient relationship and teaches students effective interviewing techniques. Throughout the course, students are expected to apply the concepts and cognitive skills acquired through the Behavioral Science and Physical Diagnosis courses to clinical situations.

This course has three broad objectives: 1) To acquaint students with the basic tools, concepts and methods of the social sciences in the study of health, illness and community life, 2) To explore a range of health-related issues such as how cultures adapt to environmental circumstances; how cultural traditions influence the way people feel and express distress, explain their illness, manage misfortune and seek help; and how class, gender and ethnic differences are reflected in patterns of sickness and death, and 3) To introduce the students to the peoples, communities, and contemporary problems of New York.

Introduction to the study of the biomedical sciences with emphasis on the relationship of structure to function, the sources of energy for life processes, and the quantitative measurement of physiological functions.

Introduction to the study of the biomedical sciences with emphasis on the relationship of structure to function, the sources of energy for life processes, and the quantitative measurement of physiological functions.

This course introduces students to the basic principles of the law as it relates to healthcare and malpractice.

This course introduces students to the role of bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and parasites in disease, immunity, and public health practice. Emphasis is on clinical applications and basic laboratory diagnostic procedures.

This course provides students with a basic understanding of morbidity and mortality rates, incidence and prevalence; the characteristics of persons, place and time as they relate to disease; cohort analysis; risk factors and the calculation of relative risk; and screening methods and the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. The laboratory exercises with computer applications are field based and designed to give the students practical experience in elements of community health assessment.

This is a continuation of the physical diagnosis course giving students an opportunity to shadow a practicing P.A. in a clinical setting. The student will observe the activities of a senior PA, interview patients, perform focused physical examinations, gain exposure to various medical specialties and acquire the socialization and skills that are pertinent to the profession.

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination is equivalent to the National Board Examination - Medicine. Physician Assistant students need specific training in Patient Management Protocols, Clinical Therapeutics and Clinical Interventions in their Senior Year. The new course format will allow students to sign-up each semester for a one-credit hour (15 lecture/ laboratory hours) course in Medical Management and will receive a Pass/Fail grade at the end of each semester.

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination is equivalent to the National Board Examination - Medicine. Physician Assistant students need specific training in Patient Management Protocols, Clinical Therapeutics and Clinical Interventions in their Senior Year. The new course format will allow students to sign-up each semester for a one-credit hour (15 lecture/ laboratory hours) course in Medical Management and will receive a Pass/Fail grade at the end of each semester.

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination is equivalent to the National Board Examination - Medicine. Physician Assistant students need specific training in Patient Management Protocols, Clinical Therapeutics and Clinical Interventions in their Senior Year. The new course format will allow students to sign-up each semester for a one-credit hour (15 lecture/ laboratory hours) course in Medical Management and will receive a Pass/Fail grade at the end of each semester.

This clerkship provides students with practical clinical experience in working in an urban acute care setting. The clerkship helps students develop a focused and systematic approach in diagnosing and treating common medical and surgical emergency problems.

This clerkship provides students with practical clinical experience in interpreting and integrating information from a patient's history and physical symptoms in order to reach a diagnosis and formulate a management plan based on general medical knowledge. In addition, students learn the indications and limitations of diagnostic procedures and therapeutic regimens common to internal medicine.

Students gain practical clinical experience in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of normal and abnormal conditions in gynecology and obstetrics. In addition, students learn to provide pre- and post- partum care and counsel to patients on family planning and other concerns.

Students become acquainted with methods of pediatric diagnosis and therapy from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and management of common childhood illnesses and well-child care.

Students in this clerkship gain experience in the effective and compassionate management of the broad spectrum of medical conditions that can be treated in the ambulatory setting. The clerkship emphasizes the importance of providing direct, initial, comprehensive and continuous health care, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Students rotate twice through this clerkship.

This clerkship acquaints students with the diagnosis and management of ambulatory and inpatient psychiatric problems. Students learn to treat both acute and chronic mental health problems as well as affective disorders caused by chemical abuse.

This clerkship acquaints students with the diagnosis and management of general and subspecialty surgical problems occurring in an ambulatory setting. Students not only learn to assist in surgery, but also gain experience in pre- and post- operative evaluation and management.

Students have an opportunity to participate in the care and management of patients who are critically ill with life-threatening multi-system diseases. Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of invasive physiological monitoring.

This clerkship gives students practical clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of common geriatrics medical conditions. Additional emphasis is placed on the rehabilitation techniques and nutritional support appropriate for the elderly patient.

This rotation is to expose and educate the P.A. student with clinical experiences with both a pediatric and adult population in Primary Care subspecialty. This rotation entails the development of comprehensive management of a wide variety of common medical problems. All disciplines of medicine are integrated, enabling the student to recognize normalcy and assess its deviations. The student will learn an approach to preventive medicine through the transitions of life - school age, middle age and old age. Preventive care shall be emphasized. The scheduled rotation hours will be determined by the preceptor at the beginning of the rotation and may be subject to change.