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School of Health
Sciences,
Department of
Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
(MS)
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
(MS)
Program Overview
The University of Saint
Francis Physician Assistant Program is an intense,
full-time 27-month curriculum comprised of 98 credits. A
Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies
is awarded upon completion of the curriculum and
fulfillment of University of Saint Francis requirements.
Students must attend the program on a full-time basis.
The first 15 months of the program are spent primarily
in the classroom obtaining a foundation of medical
knowledge in the areas of anatomy, physiology,
pharmacology, physical assessment and various medical
specialties. Problem-based learning techniques are used
exclusively in the third and fourth semesters in medical
diagnosis and therapeutic courses. During the last 12
months of the program, students are assigned to clinical
rotations spending a minimum of 40 hours per week
working with a physician preceptor in settings such as
physician offices, clinics, extended care facilities and
hospitals. All students complete a core of rotations in
areas of family medicine, emergency medicine,
general surgery in internal medicine, and an elective. Students also choose
from a series of rotations in the areas of trauma,
hospital-based care, family practice or internal
medicine. All students will be assigned one
rotation with an underserved patient population.
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Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the
program the student will:
• Successfully complete
the National Certifying Examination for Physician
Assistants.
• Provide primary
health care services with an emphasis on human caring
and the underserved.
• Perform diagnostic
and therapeutic health services appropriate for a wide
range of pathophysiologic processes.
• Develop and implement
effective treatment plans for care of common conditions.
• Perform technical and
surgical procedures within the scope of practice.
• Monitor and manage
patient care in acute, long term and ambulatory
settings.
• Facilitate patient
referral to appropriate specialty practices and
community agencies.
• Use clinical problem
solving to integrate knowledge from the biological and
behavioral sciences with medical knowledge and current
standards of clinical practice.
• Demonstrate a
commitment to professional growth and life-long
learning.
• Enlarge the knowledge
of the discipline by participating in research projects.
• Demonstrate
professional behavior.
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Admission Criteria
In addition to
University of Saint Francis admission requirements, the
minimum requirements for admission to the Physician
Assistant Program are:
• Submit scores
from the Graduate Record Exam.
• Satisfactorily
complete 12 semester hours of credit in chemistry
courses including general chemistry, organic chemistry,
and biochemistry.
• Satisfactorily
complete 15 semester hours of credit in biology courses
including the equivalent of two semesters of human anatomy
& physiology and a course in microbiology.
• Satisfactorily
complete 6 semester hours of credit in the area of
psychology.
• Possess direct
patient care experience.
The most direct and
responsible forms of patient care experience in a
compensated position are preferred. Clinical components
of the educational experience required for other health
care professions are considered, but may not totally
fulfill this requirement.
Volunteer activity
and/or appropriate life experience will be considered,
but will not totally fulfill this requirement.
Note: The personal
computer (PC) is used extensively throughout the program
for communication, instruction, and assessment. It is
advisable for students to own a home computer with
hardware and software compatible with that of the
university. Being “on line” with an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) is also recommended. The university does
provide these services on campus for students during
normal business hours.
Applications are made
through the Central Application Service for Physician
Assistants (CASPA,
www.caspaonline.org)
and are
accepted by the PA Program Admissions Committee from
June 1 through December 1 for classes beginning the
following May. Selected qualified applicants are offered
an interview. All applicants are encouraged to apply as
early as possible.
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Enrollment
Requirements
Before an applicant is
accepted into the PA program, the following requirements
must be met:
• Validation of ability to meet the Technical Standards
of the School of Health Sciences.
The University of Saint
Francis has identified non-academic technical standards
critical to the success of students in nursing and
allied health programs. These standards are designed not
to be exclusionary, but to establish performance
expectations that will enable students to provide safe
patient practice with or without accommodations. The
standards are program requirements, not individual
functional ability requirements.
1.
Observation:
Candidates and students must be able to observe
lectures, demonstrations, research and patient
situations in the practice of health care professions.
Observation is necessary to perform competent health
assessments and interventions and necessitates
functional use of vision, hearing, tactile and somatic
senses.
2. Communication:
Candidates and students must have the ability to use
multiple communication techniques (verbal, written,
nonverbal, group processes, and information technology)
that enable them to communicate effectively with
clients, teachers and all members of the health care
team. They must be able to speak, read and write in
English. Candidates and students must be able to report
to members of the health care team, express appropriate
information to others, communicate with sensitivity and
teach, explain, direct and counsel clients.
3. Intellectual,
Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:
Candidates and students must have the ability to
measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data
in a timely manner. Problem solving, a critical skill
demanded of health care practitioners, requires all
these intellectual abilities. Additionally, candidates
and students must be able to comprehend
three-dimensional relationships and understand the
spatial relationships of structures.
4. Motor
Skills:
Candidates and students must possess fine and gross
motor function necessary to perform patient assessment
and therapeutic interventions. Such interventions
require coordination of both gross and fine muscular
movements, stamina, equilibrium and functional use of
touch and vision.
5.
Behavioral and
Social Attributes:
Candidates and students must possess the emotional
health required for full use of their intellectual
abilities, demonstration of good judgment, prompt and
safe completion of all responsibilities, and development
of mature and effective relationships with patients.
They must be able to work cooperatively with others,
adapt to rapidly changing environments, think clearly
and tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads
under stressful situations. Additionally they must
demonstrate moral reasoning and ethical behaviors.
In addition to the technical
standards stated above, students must be able to
successfully complete all required components of the
curriculum.
1. Tests and Evaluations:
Periodic examinations, both written and practical, are
an essential component of the curriculum. In order to
progress through the curriculum students must
successfully fulfill examination requirements.
2. Clinical
Assessment: Essential to the success of a student
enrolled in a health care program is the demonstration
of clinical competency. The process of evaluation of
the clinical performance is an essential component of
the curriculum. Participation in clinical experiences
and evaluation of that performance is required.
It is the policy of
University of Saint Francis to provide reasonable
accommodations to qualified students with disabilities
to provide equal opportunity to meet the performance and
technical standards. Determination of a reasonable
accommodation will be considered on an individual basis
and is an interactive collaboration with the disability
services director, the student, faculty advisor, and
Program Director when indicated. Students with
disabilities will adhere to the same admission,
progression, dismissal, and readmission policies as all
students.
• Completion of Health
and Physical Exam Form.
• Completion of
Hepatitis B Vaccination Form.
• Acknowledgement of
receipt of the PA Program Bulletin which describes the
program’s policies and expectations.
• Acknowledgement of
the program’s class and clinical attendance policy.
• Agreement to a full
time student commitment which does not permit time for
extracurricular employment.
• Completion of
“Informed Consent to Participate in Laboratory”
agreement.
• Completion of
“Patient Confidentiality” agreement.
• Acknowledgement and
commitment to the PA Honor Code.
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Progression Criteria
In order to advance in
the Physician Assistant Program the student must:
• Complete all courses
with a minimum grade of “C” or equivalent.
• Comply with the PA Program Attendance Policy.
• Maintain a minimum
cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Complete all didactic
courses before entry into the clinical year curriculum.
• Complete any
incomplete grades prior to the conclusion of the next
grading period.
• Satisfactorily
complete all clinical rotation objectives.
• Successfully complete didactic and clinical
comprehensive exams.
Failure to comply with
any of the progression criteria standards will result in
an academic review by the Physician Assistant Program
Director and Faculty.
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Graduation
Requirements
The following
requirements must be met in order to graduate with a
Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies:
• Complete all 98
credit hours in the Physician Assistant Program
curriculum with a minimum of “C” or its equivalent in
each course.
• Maintain a minimum
cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Fulfill all financial
obligations to the University of Saint Francis.
All courses contained
within the Physician Assistant curriculum must be
completed prior to graduation without exception or
exemption. No transfer credit or credit by portfolio is
accepted. No students are exempt from classes because of
prior courses, training, or experience.
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Certification
Students who graduate
from an accredited PA program are eligible to take the
certification examination offered by the National
Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants.
Successful completion of the examination allows the
individual to use the title “Physician
Assistant-Certified” or PA-C.
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Accreditation
The Physician Assistant
Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review
Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
(ARC-PA).
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Didactic Year Course
Descriptions
First Year
Summer Term
PAC 510
Biomedical Sciences - 6 credit hours
Anatomical studies
concentrate on an understanding of human neuroanatomy
with an emphasis on the peripheral somatic and autonomic
nervous systems. Students study the muscles, bones,
vessels, organs, and tissues of the body and the nerve
paths supplying them. Students study the physiologic
control systems of the human body including both nervous
and endocrine mechanisms. Medical microbiology is
emphasized with the topics of controlling microbial
growth, immunology, epidemiology, and infection. Human
molecular genetics is studied as it applies to medicine
and disease.
Prerequisite:
Enrollment in the PA Program.
PAC 520
Foundations of PA Studies - 4 credit hours
The course provides
instruction in the systemic evaluation of patient
problems through comprehensive history taking and
physical examinations. Emphasis is placed upon
techniques of interviewing and physical examination that
ensure the acquisition of an accurate database that is
essential for diagnosis and the preparation of a
treatment plan. Students are introduced to the general
principles of research design and implementation.
Reliability and validity of published studies are
considered. Students learn to collect and critique
medical journal articles, conduct literature searches,
and produce referenced papers. Medical laboratory and
diagnostic procedures such as ECG, CBC, CHEM 7,
radiographs, CT, and MRI are reviewed. Basic ECG
patterns are mastered.
Prerequisite:
Enrollment in the PA Program.
PAC 530
Pharmacology for PAs - 2 credit hours
Students are introduced
to the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Emphasis is given to the classes of commonly used drugs,
general principles of clinical use, drug pathways,
effects and side effects of drugs, and the mechanism of
action in the body.
Prerequisite:
Enrollment in the PA Program.
First Year Fall Term
PAC 540
Pharmacology II - 2 credit hours
This course deals with
the practical aspects of pharmacology as they relate to
the primary care Physician Assistant. Representative
generic and brand name drugs will be discussed as well
as their therapeutic indications. Information about
prescription writing as well as indications and
contraindications for various therapies will be
outlined.
Prerequisite: PAC 530
Pharmacology for PAs.
PAC 545
Clinical Medicine for PAs - 2 credit hours
This course has two
principle elements. The first is to introduce the
student to the broad concepts of medical care
emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention,
nutrition, lifestyle, and the psychosocial aspects of
disease. The second is to begin surveying the etiology,
pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of some common
diseases and disorders found in each body system.
Prerequisite: PAC 520
Foundations of PA Studies.
PAC 550
Pathophysiology - 2 credit hours
Students will study the
biological basis for disease. Emphasis is given to the
disruption of homeostasis and how that is manifested in
certain disease states. Topics include altered cellular
and tissue states; fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base
balance; genetic impact on disease; infection and
inflammation; and disturbances in cellular
proliferation.
Prerequisite: PAC 510
Biomedical Sciences.
PAC 555
Clinical Problem Solving - 6 credit hours
This course introduces
students to the methods of inductive and deductive
reasoning used to solve medical problems. Students learn
how to assimilate patient data and ask questions that
generate additional significant data. Using the skills
of patient history taking and physical examination,
differential diagnoses are derived and a medical
diagnosis is determined. Treatment and follow up plans
are established based on the diagnosis.
Prerequisite: PAC 520
Foundations of PA Studies.
First Year Spring Term
PAC 560
Medical Diagnostics - 6 credit hours
This course addresses
the clinical problems encountered by the physician
assistant and the professional role of the PA in primary
care, as well as surgical and specialty care of adults,
children, and geriatric populations. The learning method
is a problem-oriented approach, which merges critical
thinking with clinical skills to arrive at a
differential diagnosis. Students consider both acute and
chronic cases as well as the prevention of disease
through detection, education, and preventive treatment.
Community and public health concepts include a model of
public health care delivery and payment systems,
epidemiology, infectious disease control, community
health assessment, and community health services.
Prerequisite: PAC 555
Clinical Problem Solving.
PAC 565
Medical Therapeutics - 6 credit hours
This course addresses
the clinical problems encountered by the physician
assistant and the professional role of the PA in primary
care, as well as surgical and specialty care of adults,
children, and geriatric populations. The learning method
is a problem-oriented approach, which challenges
students to seek diverse treatment options for a
particular disorder, understand the consequences of each
option, and develop an optimal treatment plan. The
course allows for extensive study of certain drug
therapies as well as physical therapies, psychological
therapies, nutritional therapies, and various methods of
alternative medicine.
Co-requisite: PAC 560
Medical Diagnostics.
PAC 570
Research Methods for PAs -
1 credit hour
This course
provides a basis of research that can be done by
physician assistants as they practice. There is an
overview of the topics and methods relative to the
profession. Students learn how to formulate a
problem, review the literature on selective topics,
design a research project, and plan how a project can be
funded and completed.
Co-requisites: PAC
560 Medical Diagnostics and PAC 565 Medical Therapeutics
Second
Year Summer Term
PAC 580
Medical Diagnostics II - 5 credit hours
Using a
problem-oriented approach this course is a continuation
of PAC 560.
Prerequisite: PAC 560
Medical Diagnostics.
PAC 585
Medical Therapeutics II - 5 credit hours
Using a
problem-oriented approach this course is a continuation
of PAC 565.
Prerequisite: PAC 565
Medical Therapeutics.
PAC 590
Medical Ethics - 1 credit hour
This course provides a
study of medical issues in relationship to various
cultures and belief systems. Discussion involves
contemporary medical dilemmas, historical perspective,
and societal demands placed upon the health care system.
Corequisites: PAC 580
Medical Diagnostics II and PAC 585 Medical Therapeutics
II.
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Clinical Year Course
Descriptions
The clinical year of
instruction begins in the fall semester and continues
for 12 months with a total of 50 credits. In the
clinical experience, courses titled Clinical Experience
I-XI, the student is
assigned a specific physician preceptor for a rotation
period of four weeks. Each student will complete a
series of 11 clinical rotations during the 12-month
period.
There is a core of
seven rotations completed by all students. The
additional four rotations will be chosen from a
particular clinical track designed to meet the
professional goals of the student. Concurrent with the
clinical rotations are three courses that meet the needs
of the graduate student in medical science related to
clinical problem solving and research.
PAC 610, 611, 612
Clinical Decision Making I, II, III - 1 credit hour
This series of courses
is designed to enhance the problem solving skills in a
clinical setting by presenting problem-oriented cases.
These are opportunities for students to use clinical
reasoning to formulate differential diagnoses and
develop treatment and care plans. These courses run
concurrently with the clinical experiences.
Prerequisite:
Completion of the PA Didactic year curriculum.
PAC 615
Master’s Project I - 1 credit hour
This course provides an
opportunity for students to carry out a major project
that contributes to their professional development and
supplements the body of knowledge within the profession.
This involves identification of a problem or question,
review of current knowledge and planning for materials
and methods used in the research process. The project
will be either an application of evidence based medicine
or original research. It is expected that this work
continue throughout the entire clinical year.
Prerequisite:
Completion of the PA Didactic year curriculum.
PAC 616
Master’s Project II - 1 credit hour
This course is a
continuation of PAC 615 Master’s Project I. Students
implement the proposed research method, collect data and
begin analysis.
Prerequisites:
Completion of the PA Didactic year curriculum and PAC
615 Master’s Project I.
PAC 617
Master’s Project III - 1 credit hour
This course is the
completion of the series of project courses begun in the
fall semester. Students complete the analysis of
collected data and derive a conclusion and summary. The
project is presented to peers, professional groups,
and/or submitted for publication.
Prerequisites:
Completion of the PA Didactic year curriculum and PAC
616 Master’s Project II.
PAC 621-631
Clinical Experience I-XI - 4 credit hours
These clinical
experiences are medical rotations of four-week duration
each. Students are assigned with a physician preceptor
who supervises the clinical experience. Students work
with a physician for a minimum of 40 hours per week
during which they have opportunities to observe the
medical care provided by the physician. In addition,
students are expected to practice learned skills with
patients and are evaluated by the physician and PA
faculty. All students will complete a core of clinical
experiences, which includes two rotations in family
medicine, two rotations in internal medicine, and one
rotation in emergency medicine, general surgery, and an elective. Beyond the core rotations
students may choose to complete one of four clinical
tracks. These tracks include a series of various
rotations in the areas of trauma, internal medicine,
family practice, or hospital care. At least one rotation
during the clinical year will be with an underserved
population.
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Clinical Rotations to fulfill the requirements of
Clinical Experience Courses I-XI
Core Rotations
(all students
complete each of the following rotations totaling 28
weeks)
Family Medicine
Rotation I, II
This is a series of two
four-week rotations, which provides the opportunity for
students to gain knowledge and skill in the area of
primary care. Emphasis is also placed on proper data
collection, formulation of accurate problem lists,
thorough investigation of presenting complaints and
formulation of appropriate treatment plans. Students are
also evaluated on their professional manner and emphasis
is placed upon their acquaintance with available
community resources. Students will assist physicians in
a wide range of medical treatments and procedures and
will participate in the counseling and education of
patients on current health problems and preventive
medicine.
Internal Medicine
Rotation I, II
This is a series of two
four-week rotations, which provides the student with
knowledge and skill in the area of internal medicine.
The rotation focuses upon the indications for therapeutic measures
used in the treatment of common medical disorders. The
student will be exposed to outpatient as well as
inpatient problems, and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan.
General Surgery
Rotation
This four-week
general surgery
rotation is designed to prepare the student to be an
assistant to the generalist. The student's time will be
divided between inpatient and outpatient services. Each
student will perform admission history and physical
examinations and will be involved in assisting during
surgery as well as preoperative and postoperative care.
In this manner, the student learns to assist in the
management of routine surgical cases as well as
treatment for various post-surgical complications.
Emergency Medicine
Rotation
This four-week rotation
is intended to familiarize the student with the types of
patients, presenting problems, procedures and overall
environment of an acute care emergency department.
Methods of triage, initial stabilization and rapid
assessment and diagnoses of emergency department
patients are emphasized, as well as the care and
treatment of minor trauma. Students are expected to
participate in and observe the care of various clinical
presentations and to develop confidence in their ability
to provide appropriate intervention and/or referral.
Elective Rotation
This elective four-week
rotation is provided for students to gain knowledge and
skill in an area of medicine, which they have not
experienced, or to have additional exposure to an area
of interest. The program faculty must approve elective
rotations. Individualized objectives for the elective
rotation will be established prior to student placement.
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Specialty Tracks
Students choose one of
the following tracks and complete the rotation
requirements as identified in each area.
Trauma Track (for
students interested in working with accident victims)
Students must first
complete the Emergency Medicine Rotation in the Core
Rotations before continuing with any of the Trauma Track
Rotations listed below. The Medical Office Orthopedics
Rotation is required in this track. Three other rotations may be selected from
radiology, outpatient clinic-occupational medicine,
surgery subspecialties, or first response emergency
care.
Outpatient
Clinic-Occupational Medicine Rotation
This clinical rotation
is designed to prepare the student to diagnose and treat
on-the-job injuries as well as a variety of acute and
chronic primary care problems. Students will assist the
physician with methods of evaluation of primary
problems, which include the performance of proper
physical exams, ordering of laboratory and diagnostic
studies, and developing/implementing appropriate
treatment plans. Suturing and minor wound care as well
as other office procedures will be performed under the
discretion and supervision of the attending physician.
Surgery Subspecialties
Rotation
This clinical rotation
is designed to prepare the student to be an assistant in
an area of surgical specialization. The student will
participate in all aspects of the surgical specialty
chosen which includes but is not limited to performing
history and physical examinations, dictating admission
notes and consultations, assisting in operative
procedures, performing discharge summaries, and
facilitating preoperative, postoperative, inpatient, and
outpatient services.
First Response
Emergency Care Rotation
This clinical rotation
is designed to familiarize the student with the types of
patients, presenting problems, procedures, and overall
environment of an acute care emergency department.
Methods of triage, initial stabilization and the rapid
assessment and diagnoses of emergency department
patients are emphasized, as well as the care and
treatment of trauma. The student will also provide first
responder care to patients in coordination with
ambulance services.
Medical Office
Orthopedics Rotation
This rotation is
designed to prepare the student in the diagnoses and
treatment of musculoskeletal problems. The student will
perform duties required in an outpatient orthopedic
office. The student will become familiar with orthopedic
examination procedures and treatment techniques.
Interpretation of diagnostic imaging, casting and
splinting procedures as well as aspiration/injection
techniques will be emphasized.
Radiology Rotation
This clinical rotation
is designed to prepare the student in the implementation
and interpretation of various radiographic and
diagnostic imaging procedures. The student will become
familiar with ordering of appropriate procedures
indicated by the medical condition presented. The
student will also interpret the imaging procedure under
the direction of the supervising physician.
Family Practice
Track
(for students interested in family practice primary
care of diverse populations)
Students must first
complete the eight-week series of Family Medicine
Rotations within the Core Rotations before continuing
with the Family Practice Track Rotations listed below.
Students must complete the pediatrics and geriatrics
rotations and may select two from OB-GYN, mental health,
or urgent care.
Pediatrics Rotation
During this four-week
rotation emphasis is placed upon normal and abnormal
variations in growth and development and common
childhood illnesses. The student is also expected to
gain knowledge of well-child care, immunizations,
nutrition, and general patient/parent education. The
student will be exposed to the assessment, diagnosis and
management of acutely ill children in the office as well
as hospital settings and will perform, record, and
interpret history and physical examinations appropriate
to different ages of infants and children.
Geriatrics Rotation
This rotation is
designed to familiarize the student with the physical,
psychological, and social issues related to the elderly
population. The student will perform history and
physical exams pertaining to the elderly population and
manage biological and physiological changes that occur
with the aging process. Counseling of the patient
population will be strongly emphasized in all aspects of
geriatric medicine.
Obstetrics and
Gynecology Rotation
This four-week rotation
is designed to provide an opportunity for PA students to
develop proficiency in conducting history and physical
examinations with female patients. The student will be
exposed to the management principles of pregnancy, labor
and delivery, and prenatal as well as postnatal
complications. The gynecologic component emphasizes
methods and programs related to cancer detection,
venereal disease and birth control. By the end of the
rotation the student will display fundamental knowledge
of obstetric and gynecologic disorders commonly
encountered in primary care.
Mental Health Rotation
This four-week rotation
is designed to increase the PA student’s knowledge and
awareness of psychiatry and mental health. Emphasis will
be placed upon common problems found in primary care
settings. The objectives are centered on proper data
collection, problem recognition, basic counseling
techniques and referral mechanisms. There is also an
emphasis on the patient’s legal rights and common
treatment modalities. The student will also become
acquainted with the community and mental health
framework and those agencies that provide services.
Urgent Care Rotation
This rotation will
provide the student with the opportunity to gain
knowledge and skill in the area of primary care.
Emphasis is placed on the proper data collection,
formulation of accurate problem lists, through
investigation of presenting complaints and formulation
of appropriate treatment plans. Students will assist
physicians in a wide range of medical treatments and
procedures as well as participating in the counseling
and education of patients on current health problems and
preventive medicine.
Hospital Inpatient
Care Track
(for those students
wanting to work as hospital staff)
Students must first
complete the eight-week internal medicine rotation
series before beginning the hospital inpatient care
track. Students in this track are required to take the
cardiology rotation, pulmonology rotation, and the ICU
rotation. The other rotation may be chosen from
oncology, geriatrics, or neurology.
Cardiology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of cardiology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common cardiovascular diseases and
disorders. Students will be expected to integrate
written information from prior didactic courses with
clinical experiences so that by the end of the rotation
they demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in
evidence based clinical problem solving in the field of
cardiology. The student will be exposed to inpatient
problems and will obtain and interpret medical
histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests
that will lead to the development and implementation of
an appropriate treatment plan. The student will also be
exposed to admission and discharge procedures as well as
hospital records.
Pulmonology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of pulmonology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common pulmonary diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
pulmonology. The student will be exposed to inpatient
problems and will obtain and interpret medical
histories, physical examination, and diagnostic tests
that will lead to the development and implementation of
an appropriate treatment plan. The student will also be
exposed to admission and discharge procedures as well as
hospital records.
Oncology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of oncology. This rotation focuses on the diagnosis
and treatment of oncologic diseases. The student will be
exposed to assessment, diagnoses, and treatment of
cancer patients in the hospital setting. The student
will gain a working knowledge of the systemic effects of
cancer as well as the patient’s response and side
effects of treatment modalities. The student will be
expected to integrate written knowledge from the
didactic year with knowledge and skills gained in the
clinical rotation.
Geriatrics Rotation
This rotation is
designed to familiarize the student with the physical,
psychological, and social issues related to the elderly
population. The student will perform histories and
physical exams pertaining to the elderly population and
manage biological and physiological changes that occur
with the aging process. Counseling of the patient
population will be highly emphasized in all aspects of
geriatric medicine.
Intensive Care Unit
Rotation
This clinical rotation
is designed to prepare the student for the procedures
performed in the treatment of the critically ill
patient. Students will monitor and implement appropriate
techniques to enhance the well being of the patient.
Daily logging of patient progress, medication and vital
sign monitoring will be conducted by the student.
Interpretation of cardiac and pulmonary functions as
well as laboratory results will be emphasized. ACLS
techniques are essential prerequisites for this
rotation.
Neurology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of neurology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common neurologic diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
neurology. The student will be exposed to inpatient
problems and will obtain and interpret medical
histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests
that will lead to the development and implementation of
an appropriate treatment plan. The student will also be
exposed to admission and discharge procedures as well as
hospital records.
Internal Medicine
Track
(for the student interested in the subspecialties of
internal medicine)
Students must first
complete the eight-week series of internal medicine
rotations from the core rotations before beginning the
internal medicine track. Students must complete the
cardiology and pulmonology rotations. Two other
rotations may be chosen from nephrology,
gastroenterology, endocrinology, and neurology.
Cardiology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of cardiology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common cardiovascular diseases and
disorders. Students will be expected to integrate
written information from prior didactic courses with
clinical experiences so that by the end of the rotation
they demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in
evidence based clinical problem solving in the field of
cardiology. The student will be exposed to inpatient and
outpatient problems and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. The
student will also be exposed to admission and discharge
procedures as well as hospital records.
Pulmonology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of pulmonology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common pulmonary diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
pulmonology. The student will be exposed to inpatient
and outpatient problems and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. The
student will also be exposed to admission and discharge
procedures as well as hospital records.
Neurology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of neurology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common neurologic diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
neurology. The student will be exposed to inpatient and
outpatient problems and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. The
student will also be exposed to admission and discharge
procedures as well as hospital records.
Nephrology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of nephrology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common renal diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
nephrology. The student will be exposed to inpatient and
outpatient problems and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. The
student will also be exposed to admission and discharge
procedures as well as hospital records.
Gastroenterology
Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of gastroenterology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common GI diseases and disorders. Students
will be expected to integrate written information from
prior didactic courses with clinical experiences so that
by the end of the rotation they demonstrate an
appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence based clinical
problem solving in the field of gastroenterology. The
student will be exposed to inpatient and outpatient
problems and will obtain and interpret medical
histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests
that will lead to the development and implementation of
an appropriate treatment plan. The student will also be
exposed to admission and discharge procedures as well as
hospital records.
Endocrinology Rotation
This four-week rotation
provides the student with knowledge and skill in the
area of endocrinology. The rotation focuses upon the
indications for therapeutic measures used in the
treatment of common endocrine diseases and disorders.
Students will be expected to integrate written
information from prior didactic courses with clinical
experiences so that by the end of the rotation they
demonstrate an appropriate fund of knowledge in evidence
based clinical problem solving in the field of
endocrinology. The student will be exposed to inpatient
and outpatient problems and will obtain and interpret
medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic
tests that will lead to the development and
implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. The
student will also be exposed to admission and discharge
procedures as well as hospital records.
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