Summer B Semester
PAS 5022: GROSS ANATOMY AND RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY
An intensive study of human anatomy; systemic and regional approaches; human dissection; the establishment of sound anatomical principles which underlie clinical sciences, combined with a systematic approach to radiographic interpretation.
PAS 5003: MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS
Communication skills in medical history‑taking; complete medical history; problem‑ oriented medical record.
Fall Semester
PAS 5005: BEHAVIORAL AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE – 1
The first course in the PAS 5005, 5009 sequence. The study of the biopsychosocial model of health care and the study of the American health care system emphasizing the role of the PA on the health care team; patient education/preventive medicine/ community health; medicolegal ethics.
PAS 5025: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
This course discusses the function and the major organ systems of the body and their contribution to the total body homeostasis in health and disease.
PAS 5010: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINE – 1
The first course in the sequence PAS 5010, 5020. Signs, symptoms, and pathophysiology of common diseases affecting pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients; diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and follow‑up; patient education/preventive medicine; special studies in radiology. Individual sections cover various specialties included in the course, as follows:
- Dermatology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the PA student will acquire an understanding of the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of dermatological conditions common to the primary care setting. - Ophthalmology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the PA student will acquire an understanding of the basic anatomy of the eye, the presentation, diagnosis, and management of ophthalmological conditions common in the primary care setting. - Dental / ENT
At the end of this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student will be able to demonstrate on a written exam an understanding of problems in dentistry and otolaryngology commonly seen in primary care settings. - Hematology / Oncology
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with an understanding of the occurrence, presentation, and general management of hematologic and oncologic conditions encountered commonly in primary care practice. - Endocrinology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, natural history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of the endocrine conditions encountered in the primary care settings. - Obstetrics/ Gynecology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, natural history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of the obstetrics and gynecological conditions encountered in the primary care setting. - Cardiology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, natural history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular conditions. - Pulmonology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, natural history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of pulmonary conditions encountered in the primary care setting. - Urology / Nephrology
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with an understanding of the occurrence, presentation, and general management of renal and urologic conditions encountered commonly in primary care practice. - Gastroenterology
This section of Introduction to Medicine presents to the physician assistant student the presentation, diagnosis, management, and prevention of gastroenterological conditions common to the primary care setting. - Nutrition
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides the student with an understanding of proper nutrition in normal and disease states, various eating disorders, and alternative feeding routes for patients.
PAS 5026: PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS
This course presents an overview of pharmacology, including the action and function of classes of drugs; use of specific drugs; contraindications and incompatibilities; side effects and their treatment; dosages and calculations.
PAS 5000: PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS
A course with extensive clinical exposure to techniques used in the proper performance and recording of the physical examination of patients. Both lecture and laboratory formats are utilized.
Spring Semester
PAS 5009: BEHAVIORAL & COMMUNITY MEDICINE – 2
The second course in the PAS 5005, 5009 sequence. A continuation of the study of the biopsychosocial model of health care and the study of the American health care system emphasizing the role of the PA on the health care team; patient education/preventive medicine/community health; medicolegal ethics.
PAS 5004: CLINICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING / DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
An introduction to critical thinking in the development of the medical diagnosis and treatment plan.
PAS 5007C: CLINICAL PROCEDURES
The primary objective of the Clinical Procedures course is to help PA students develop an understanding of and basic competence in the skills needed to perform diagnostic and outpatient, in-house, and emergency procedures. It is not intended to be conclusive nor is this class meant to turn out “skilled professionals.” Basic skills and knowledge learned here will prepare the student to further refine these skills with more intense, personalized instruction in the clinical setting.
PAS 5027: ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION FOR PA/ACLS
A study of the principles and practical applications of electrocardiography for the physician assistant. An overview of common laboratory studies frequently encountered in the clinical setting. Students will learn when to order and how to interpret a variety of laboratory studies.
PAS 5020: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINE – 2
The second course in the sequence PAS 5010, 5020. Signs, symptoms, and pathophysiology of common diseases of all ages; special studies in differential diagnosis. Individual sections cover various specialties included in the course, as follows:
- Orthopedics
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with an understanding of the occurrence, presentation, and management of orthopedic conditions common to primary care. - Infectious Disease
This section of Introduction to Medicine along with correlating material from BCM II provides students with an understanding of the major infectious disease processes affecting the US. These include HIV/AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea. The HIV/AIDS coverage is in depth to fulfill obligations for Florida licensure as well as cover the complexity of this topic. - Geriatrics
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with an understanding of the unique health care issues with the geriatric patient from both the individual patient’s health care to a more global health care “industry” perspective. - Pediatrics
At the end of this section of Introduction to Medicine the student will be able to demonstrate on a written exam an understanding of the normal pediatric patient as well as the presentation and treatment of pediatric problems common in primary care medicine. - Rheumatology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, presentation, diagnosis, and management of rheumatologic conditions encountered in the primary care setting. - Neurology
In this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the occurrence, natural history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of the neurological conditions encountered in the primary care setting. - Psychiatry
During this section of Introduction to Medicine, the student is introduced to the presentation and management of the psychiatric conditions most commonly encountered in the primary care setting. - Medical Management of the Surgical Patient
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with an understanding of basic concepts and medical management of patients, common to all surgical specialties. - Emergency Medicine
This section of Introduction to Medicine provides students with a general understanding of the presentation and management of common medical and surgical emergencies.
PAS 5001: PATIENT EVALUATION AND HOSPITAL PRACTICUM
Utilizing the hospital setting, the student will obtain experience in performing and recording patient histories and physical examinations and presenting clinical data.
Summer A Semester
PAS 5008C: ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM
Utilizing clinical settings, the student will further develop his/her capabilities in performing and recording patient history and physical examinations, presenting clinical data, formulating patient assessments, and developing treatment plans. The student will examine case presentations from an epidemiologic perspective through utilization of referenced medical literature searches and refine problem-solving skills.
In addition, the student will be presented with a lecture series covering a variety of topics of importance to the PA profession that may have been covered briefly in previous courses. These include cultural diversity, environmental medicine, and occupational medicine. The course also reviews and refines skills attained in a previous semester course (Radiology).
PAS 5013: EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
This course introduces the student to the quantitative and qualitative foundation of research methodology and analysis of data in the clinical setting. Emphasis will be on design of research studies, appropriate analytical methods for data analysis, and related epidemiological issues. In addition to the lecture, students will participate in small group assignments designed to provide hands-on experience in research design, analysis, and evaluation of published literature.