Physician Assistant Studies (PHA)

PHA 501 Human Anatomy (4 credits)

This is a one-semester course with a focus on the study of functional and applied human anatomy. Each topic will utilize lecture and lab experiences using the latest technology. When appropriate, clinical and surgical correlations are made from diagnostic and operative points of view. Instruction is primarily in lecture and laboratory format. Computer software programs, virtual anatomy dissection tables, and other visual aids are available for study. Applied learning based on clinically relevant examples will be emphasized. Faculty presentations in lectures will be correlated with laboratory experiences.

PHA 502 Human Physiology (3 credits)

This course will provide students with a detailed overview of the fundamental aspects of human physiology, including the normal function of the human body and its major organ systems for patients across the life span. Understanding the normal physiologic processes will serve as a foundation for understanding altered health states and their therapeutic interventions. Applied learning based on clinically relevant examples will be emphasized.

PHA 503 History/Physical I (3 credits)

This is the first of two sequential courses designed to provide students with the fundamental grounding and cognitive knowledge to prepare them for their clinical role in patient-centered care. The course will serve as an introduction to physical examination techniques, patient counseling, documentation, and communication skills used to conduct age-appropriate, culturally sensitive histories. The course will progress to acquiring the skills, knowledge, and sensitivity needed to communicate and intervene effectively in diverse patient encounters. This is a combined lecture and lab course using teaching methods to include small group demonstrations and practice sessions. This course will instruct the students on the normal history and physical exam and prepare them for the problem-focused techniques they will learn in later clinical medicine courses. Students will also be involved in active learning with simulation lab experiences. At the completion of this course, students will have obtained the necessary skills to elicit a comprehensive history and perform a comprehensive physical exam, as well as complete the associated documentation.

PHA 504 Pharmacology I (3 credits)

This is the first of two courses designed to provide a solid foundation in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, and the physiology associated with drug action and interaction. Drugs will be discussed by class with attention given to specific drugs, indications, contraindications, dosage, mechanism of action, side effects, similarities, and differences. Emphasis will be placed on the more common drugs in the treatment of common diseases including ophthalmologic diseases, disorders of the ears, nose, and throat, infectious diseases to include antibiotics and antivirals, and respiratory, cardiovascular, and hematologic diseases. Additionally, students will learn about prescribing medications across the lifespan, including dosing and dose considerations for infants, children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and patients with both acute and chronic diseases. Learning to prescribe will include instruction on reducing error, mandatory reporting, prescription databases, and facilitating adherence to a treatment plan. Students will learn the impact of pharmacology on preventive medicine with instruction on travel medicine and safety, and the legal, political, social, and preventive implications of vaccinations.

PHA 505 PA History (1 credit)

This course will give the new PA student the history, roots, and models of the Physician Assistant profession in medicine and look at the expected future role of the PA in medicine both in the United States and globally. Students will then explore the physician-PA relationship and the role of the PA within the medical team today. Professionalism, successful student behaviors, and stress management will also be addressed. Students will also be introduced to the state and national professional organizations and the resources they offer and learn about the certification and continuing medical education process. Students will also receive instruction on intellectual honesty and professionalism. Public health, epidemiology, associated disparities, and the importance of preventive medicine are all addressed in this course.

PHA 506 Genetics for PAs (1 credit)

This one-credit course will provide PA students with a review of the structure & function of the human genome, genes, chromosomes, DNA, inheritance patterns, and genes associated with human disease. Genetics of common complex disorders and pharmacogenetics will also be covered. Additionally, students will explore social, legal, and ethical considerations of genetics.

PHA 507 Psychosocial Medicine (2 credits)

This 2-credit course will examine the factors that influence a patient’s development and identify factors that aid in integrating psychosocial and behavioral perspectives into the practice of medicine. PA students will explore aspects of their own personalities and biases and evaluate how these aspects may affect interaction with their patients. Students will develop sensitivity for working with culturally diverse patient populations and outline health care disparities among minority groups. Students will also learn the psychosocial factors of illness and aging and the importance of end-of-life care. Students will learn to elicit medical information with sensitivity, accuracy, and in challenging situations. Students will also examine human sexuality, gender identity, and associated medical issues. Students will also learn risk factors for sexual assault and domestic violence/intimate partner violence.

PHA 521 Pathophysiology (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the pathophysiology of the various organ systems of the human body. An understanding of the pathophysiology of disease and disease states is necessary to apply basic science knowledge to a clinical situation. This course will concentrate on the basic pathophysiologic understanding of disease and its clinical manifestations, but will not emphasize areas of diagnosis or treatment.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 522 Hist/Phys II & Clinical Skills (3 credits)

This is the second of two sequential courses and is designed to move the student from the normal history and physical exam to a problem-focused history and physical exam, in concert with abnormal findings and pathologies found in various organ systems. In addition, students will learn advanced skills required in clinical practice. This course incorporates knowledge from the History and Physical I course, and concurrent first semester courses, including Clinical Medicine I and Diagnostics I. Building on this, the goals of this course are to have students gain the necessary skills to develop a problem-oriented, clinical approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and management of common clinical conditions. Students will also be involved in active learning with simulation lab experiences. Students will review the indications, contraindications, procedural steps, potential complications and post-procedural care of the outlined clinical skills. Students will actively participate in skills sessions to learn clinical skills.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 523 Clinical Medicine I (4 credits)

This 4-credit course is the first of two designed to educate the student with diseases encountered in primary care medicine. The course will cover the etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, diagnostic studies and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment/management plans for each disease. The topics covered include: Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary, Cardiovascular, Hematological, Dermatological, and EENT diseases and disorders. Additionally, students will be expected to integrate knowledge from prior courses within each unit. Instruction includes clinical applications and considerations relating to patients through the lifespan. Knowledge from prior coursework will be applied in the form of pharmacology review sessions. Patient education and patient counseling are integrated with smoking cessation, infectious disease safety, cardiovascular risk-factors, and through the discussion of both prevention/screening and management plans of each applicable disease.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 524 Pharmacology II (3 credits)

This is the second of two courses designed to provide a solid foundation in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the physiology associated with drug action and interaction. Drugs will be discussed by class with attention given to specific drugs, indications, contraindications, dosage, mechanism of action, side effects, similarities, and differences. Emphasis will be placed on the more common drugs in treatment of common diseases including dermatologic, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, reproductive, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric, and behavioral. Students will learn about current issues with opiates and associated management issues of opiates. This will include instruction on the history of the opioid epidemic, underlying addiction pathophysiology, alternative pain management methods for acute and chronic pain, interprofessional management of patients with substance abuse disorder, Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT), and barriers to care including socioeconomic factors and regulation of controlled substances.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 525 Diagnostics I (2 credits)

This 2-credit course is the first of two courses providing students with insight into the use of laboratory and radiographic studies that aid clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of both acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Diagnostic studies utilized in urgent and emergent clinical scenarios are discussed, and students will learn the appropriate preventive medicine settings where diagnostic testing would be appropriate. Students will be instructed in the selection, indication, and interpretation of laboratory tests and radiographic studies. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of provider-patient communication when discussing the risks and benefits of diagnostic testing, as well as discussing medical decision making and results with the patient. Students will also be provided corresponding patient safety information, where applicable.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 526 Intro Rsrch/Evidence-Based Med (2 credits)

This course is the first of two required courses in the Physician Assistant research sequence. The course provides an introduction to prepare students to evaluate, interpret, and search medical and scientific literature while appreciating the relationship to evidence-based practice. Students will frame a hypothesis or research question that will provide a foundation for their Capstone Project. Students will obtain an understanding of basic biostatistical research as well as the limits and ethical considerations in medical research design and sampling methods. Finally, students will utilize the more common medical literature databases to evaluate evidence for medical practice.

Prerequisites: PHA 501 and PHA 502 and PHA 503 and PHA 504 and PHA 505 and PHA 506 and PHA 507

PHA 541 Clinical Medicine II (4 credits)

This 4-credit course is the second of two designed to educate the student with diseases encountered in primary care medicine and other settings. The course will cover the risk factors, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic studies, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment/management plans, prognosis, and potential complications for each disease. The topics covered include: Gastrointestinal & Nutritional, Nephrology & Genitourinary, Musculoskeletal, Endocrine, Neurological, and Psychiatric/Behavioral diseases and disorders. Additionally, students will be expected to integrate knowledge from prior basic science and other courses along with concurrent semester courses as they relate to each module and topic. Instruction includes clinical applications and considerations relating to patients throughout the lifespan, with a focus on the adult patient, as well as the diagnosis and management of acute, chronic, and emergent patient conditions within each topic. The course will be primarily in lecture format. Pharmacology review sessions will be integrated into each module to reinforce the material covered from the previous semester. Disease screening, patient education, and patient counseling strategies are integrated within each module and topic covered.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 542 Diagnostics II (2 credits)

This 2-credit course is the second of two courses providing students with insight into the use of laboratory and radiographic studies that aid clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of both acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Diagnostic studies utilized in acute, chronic, urgent, and emergent clinical scenarios are discussed. Students will also learn the appropriate preventive medicine settings where diagnostic testing would be appropriate, along with current screening recommendations. Students will be instructed in the selection, indication, and interpretation of laboratory tests and radiographic studies. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of provider-patient communication when discussing the risks and benefits of diagnostic testing, as well as discussing the results through shared medical decision-making with the patient and other members of the healthcare team. Students will also be provided with corresponding patient safety information, where applicable.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 543 Research Methods, Design & Imp (3 credits)

This course is the second of two required courses in the Physician Assistant research sequence. This course continues and builds upon concepts learned and projects started during Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Medicine (PHA 526). Students will continue developing and refining skills to critically analyze clinical research papers and evidence-based medicine. Students will utilize advanced literature search strategies and begin drafting their rapid literature review capstone project. At the conclusion of the course, students will be required to develop a critical analysis of scientific literature, and to produce a draft of the introduction and methods sections of their rapid literature review that will be culminated in their final written capstone project as part of the Capstone course (PHA 604).

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 544 Pediatrics (2 credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of pediatric medicine to include newborns, infants, children, and adolescents. Students will review the physiology and pathophysiology, as well as learn the risk factors, etiologies, epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic management, prognosis, and potential complications of pediatric-related diseases, disorders, syndromes, and conditions. Students will also learn about normal growth and development, preventive care and anticipatory guidance, immunizations, common pediatric issues, special considerations for pediatric patients, and review other diseases limited to the pediatric population. Students will participate in simulation lab experiences in order to work through a differential diagnosis and develop a therapeutic treatment plan.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 545 Emergency Medicine (2 credits)

This course focuses on the specialty of emergency medicine and patients across the lifespan (neonates, infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, elderly, geriatrics) who may present to the emergency room setting. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis, evaluation, and therapeutic approach of acutely ill patients, conditions, and diseases in the emergency room setting. BLS & ACLS certification will be required for the successful completion of this course. Students will learn comprehensive encounter management from initial triage, intradepartmental management, referrals, admission, and discharge. Students will participate in clinical reasoning conferences and simulation lab experiences of common acute care emergency complaints in order to work through a differential diagnosis and develop a therapeutic treatment plan in a team-based manner. Social and community aspects of emergency medicine are also reviewed, as well as considerations for special populations.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 546 Surgery (2 credits)

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the surgical patient, with an emphasis on adult surgical conditions. The focus of this course will be on the medical management of surgical patients from pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care settings. Students will learn to identify the risk factors, etiologies, signs and symptoms, diagnostics, therapeutics, prognoses, potential complications, and screening tools/recommendations for common surgical conditions. Students will be responsible for reviewing prior pertinent course work, such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Students will participate in clinical reasoning conferences and simulation lab experiences in order to work through a differential diagnosis and develop a therapeutic treatment plan in a team-based manner. Students will also participate in clinical surgical skills training.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 547 Women's Health (2 credits)

This 2-credit course provides an introduction to women’s health, obstetrics, gynecological, reproductive, and genitourinary issues, conditions, diseases, and disorders issues across the life span. This course will focus on identifying the risk factors, etiologies, physiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic approach, prognosis, and potential complications of diseases, disorders, and conditions primarily affecting the female patient. Students will participate in clinical reasoning conferences and simulation lab experiences in order to work through a differential diagnosis and develop a therapeutic treatment plan in a team-based manner. Students will also learn and perform a genitourinary exam on both male and female standardized patients.

Prerequisites: PHA 521 and PHA 522 and PHA 523 and PHA 524 and PHA 525 and PHA 526

PHA 601 Professional Practice Issues I (1 credit)

The first of a series of three professional practice courses will introduce the PA student to multiple aspects of health policy and laws and regulations governing physician assistant practice, as well as exploring and learning the scope of care for a physician assistant as it pertains to the identification of and management of substance use disorder. Topics include HIPAA, EMTALA, child abuse regulations, informed consent, informed refusal, actions against medical advice, advanced directives, living wills, do not resuscitate orders, decision-making capacity, health care surrogates, physician assistant scope of practice, optimal team based care, and public policy.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 602 Issues in Geriatrics I (1 credit)

The Issues in Geriatrics I course is the first of two courses in which students are learning the physiological, pathophysiological, social, and clinical sciences of elderly patient care. This course will work to apply previously learned basic science, ethical, and clinical concepts to the elderly population, with a specific focus on common clinical presentations in elderly patients, elderly patient management, preventive medicine, and patient safety. Topics include aging, patient evaluation, polypharmacy, medical decision-making, varied presentations of disease in the elderly, acute illness management, chronic illness management, emergent illness management, palliative care, adherence to treatment, preventive medicine, and communication skills for elderly patient encounters and their families.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 603 Prof Practice Issues II (1 credit)

The second of three sequential courses related to professional practice will focus on the business of health care to include coding and billing, insurance coverage, health care delivery systems, and health policy. This course also includes policy issues that affect practice and laws and regulations regarding professional practice and conduct, to include palliative, end-of-life care, and mandated reporting. Students will also learn to identify and prevent violence involving children. Communication skills regarding death, dying, and loss are explored. Principles of professional conduct and principles and practice of medical ethics are applied throughout these modules. Students also take a deeper dive into optimal team-based care and explore the PA relationship with the physician and other health care providers. Lastly, students will learn professional skills including credentialing, licensure and certification, patient and PA advocacy, and further exploring the roles of the professional organizations that oversee the profession.

Prerequisites: PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 604 Capstone (2 credits)

This 2-credit course encompasses four integrative elements. The first element outlines study skills and board preparation that aid the student in preparing for the PANCE Exam, culminating in a summative written End-of-Curriculum exam. The second element includes a summative two-station OSCE, with note-writing and oral presentation skills evaluated. The third element includes the summative demonstration of clinical skills, previously learned in the didactic year and practiced throughout the clinical year. The fourth integrative element will provide the student with the opportunity to complete and share their capstone research projects with colleagues, faculty, and the University at large.

Prerequisites: PHA 526 and PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 605 Issues in Geriatrics II (1 credit)

The Issues in Geriatrics II course is the second of two courses in which students are learning the physiological, pathophysiological, social, and clinical sciences of elderly patient care. This course will work to apply previously learned basic science, ethical, and clinical concepts to the elderly population, with a specific focus on common clinical presentations in elderly patients, elderly patient management, preventive medicine, and patient safety. Topics include aging, patient evaluation, polypharmacy, medical decision-making, care settings, rehabilitation, acute illness management, chronic illness management, pain management, medication misuse, elder abuse, nutrition, emergent illness management, special care needs, socioeconomic impacts, ethical considerations, and preventive medicine.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 606 Prof Practice Issues III (1 credit)

The third of three sequential courses related to professional practice will focus on the principles and practice of clinical ethics, professional conduct, social determinants of health, health inequities, public health, and patient safety. Students will explore and apply principles of clinical ethics. Students will explore social determinants of health, health inequities, and providing health care with consideration for geographic location, disability status, special health care needs, ethnicity, race, religion, and spirituality. Students learn communication techniques and appropriate professional conduct for patients suffering from substance use disorder. Students will revisit components of acute and chronic care plans. Students will work on motivational interviewing, basic counseling skills, and providing patient education that is focused on helping patients adhere to treatment plans, modify their behaviors to more healthful patterns, and develop coping mechanisms. Students will explore patient response to illness or injury and patient response to stress. Students will learn the principles of public health and the public health system to include maintenance of population health, disease prevention, public health intervention, patient advocacy, disease surveillance, and reporting. Lastly, students will explore principles of quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, patient safety, risk management, and malpractice.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 651 Family Medicine Rotation I (5 credits)

This course is the first of two 5-week rotations in an outpatient setting at a family medicine office. The goal of this rotation is to educate the PA student in the diagnosis, management and treatment of both preventative, acute, and chronic illness for the patient in the primary care setting. Experience is provided at the level of a primary care PA and will include becoming familiar with the primary care provider’s role in overall patient health, prevention of disease and screenings, health and wellness counseling, and coordination of care within the healthcare system for all patients across the lifespan to include adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 652 Family Medicine Rotation II (5 credits)

This course is the second of two 5-week rotations in an outpatient setting at a family medicine office. The goal of this rotation is to educate the PA student in the diagnosis, management and treatment of both preventative, emergent, acute, and chronic illness for the patient in the primary care setting. Experience is provided at the level of a primary care PA and will include becoming familiar with the primary care provider’s role in overall patient health, prevention of disease and screenings, health and wellness counseling, and coordination of care within the health-care system for all patients across the lifespan to include adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 653 Internal Med ClinicalRotation (5 credits)

This 5-week rotation provides the PA student with the practical experience to develop their clinical reasoning skills in the management of preventative, emergent, acute, and chronic medicine in adults and elderly patients in an in-patient setting. Students will gain the skills necessary to interpret and integrate information obtained through the comprehensive history and physical examination, and laboratory and other diagnostics, to formulate differential diagnoses; to develop effective treatment plans; and to provide patient management and counseling throughout the hospital course of treatment. In addition, the students will learn the indications, limitations, and methodology of inpatient diagnostic procedures and therapeutic regimes common to internal medicine. Students are expected to see both adults and elderly adults, in an in-patient or out-patient setting during this rotation.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 654 Pediatrics Clinical Rotation (5 credits)

This five-week rotation provides the PA student with clinical experience in diagnosis, evaluation and management of infants, children, and adolescent patients, in an out-patient setting. Emphasis is placed on the recognition of normal as well as abnormal findings, diagnosis and management of common acute, emergent, and chronic childhood illnesses, assessment of developmental milestones, and preventative medicine such as immunizations and well-child care from birth through adolescence. Students should also gain familiarity with the clinical skills necessary to manage behavioral and mental health conditions in the pediatric population. Students should also focus on communication with parents, particularly with anticipatory guidance, preventive medicine, counseling, and communicating the management plan.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 655 Women's Health Rotation (5 credits)

This 5-week rotation provides the PA student with practical clinical experience in diagnosis, evaluation, and management of normal and abnormal conditions in women’s health, including prenatal and gynecological care. In addition, students will learn to provide pre-natal, peri-partum and postpartum care, family planning, preventative medicine, health education, and counseling in the out-patient setting. Students will learn to provide care for women presenting with emergent, acute, and chronic gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including those conditions surrounding prenatal care.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 656 Behav/Mental Health Rotation (5 credits)

This 5-week rotation provides the PA student with practical clinical experience in diagnosis, evaluation, and management of psychiatric, behavioral, and mental health conditions and disorders in an outpatient setting. The student will be provided with practical clinical experience in the identification, evaluation, management, and referral of patients presenting with emergent, acute, and chronic psychiatric, behavioral, and mental health conditions. Students will engage with their patients by providing preventative medicine, including health counseling. Students will learn to recognize and treat behavioral and mental health disorders, throughout the lifespan (specifically: adolescent, adult, and elderly) patients.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 657 Surgery Rotation (5 credits)

This 5-week rotation provides the PA student with practical clinical experience in diagnosis, evaluation, and management of pre-operative, operative, and post-operative adult surgical patients. Students participate in the medical and surgical management of surgical inpatients during the pre-operative phase, intra-operative phase in the operating room, and post-operative phase while the patient remains admitted as an inpatient. Students are to gain practical clinical experience with surgical patients experiencing emergent, acute, and chronic surgical conditions. Students will engage with their patients by providing preventative medicine guidance, including health counseling in the preoperative and postoperative phases.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 658 Emergency Medicine Rotation (5 credits)

This 5-week rotation provides the Physician Assistant student with practical clinical experience working in an Emergency Department setting. This enables the student to develop focused and systematic approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of common medical and surgical emergencies. This rotation teaches the student to recognize the acuity level of presenting patients by prioritizing care and management in collaboration with their emergency medicine preceptor and the interprofessional emergency department team. Students will develop the necessary skills when considering the social and/or physical determinants of health, and other patient safety considerations when determining patient dispositions and treatment plans. Students will recognize the indications, limitations, and methodology of emergency room diagnostic procedures and therapeutic regimens. In addition, this rotation provides students with the opportunity to formulate organized and complete emergency room care for patients of all ages (child, adolescent, adult, and elderly) with a host of conditions presenting as acute, emergent, or chronic. Students will engage with their patients by providing preventative medicine guidance, including health counseling for patients presenting to the emergency department for care.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547

PHA 660 Elective Rotation (5 credits)

This five-week rotation provides the PA student with practical clinical experience by working in a medical setting of their choice. This enables the student to develop a focused and systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of common medical issues in that specialty. In addition, this rotation provides students with the opportunity to formulate organized and complete medical records, problem lists, and management plans. Each student will research and present a medically interesting case that they were directly involved in, via the evaluation and management of the patient.

Prerequisites: PHA 541 and PHA 542 and PHA 543 and PHA 544 and PHA 545 and PHA 546 and PHA 547