Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) Courses
PAS5110 Applied Anatomy
This lecture and laboratory course covers the anatomy most relevant to clinical practice as a physician assistant through the use of prosection and dissection of human cadavers. The course proceeds through each of the body organ systems with presentations emphasizing normal and clinically relevant gross, regional and surface anatomy to include the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal and reproductive systems. This course complements, enhances and assists the student with integration of this information into the physical examination skills taught in the Patient Care I course. As part of this course, clinical correlations introduce the student to principles of radiologic imaging and laboratory studies to further recognize and evaluate normal anatomy, conditions and pathology. Applied Anatomy also serves to provide a foundation for the practical application of anatomical knowledge needed for the study and understanding of diseases which are taught in the Clinical Medicine courses and ultimately clinical practice.
Offered at Providence
4 Semester Credits
PAS5200 Foundations of Medicine
This lecture-based course provides the foundation of the basic scientific concepts and principles needed for the study and treatment of diseases. It consists of five modules: Microbiology, Immunology, Genetics, Cell Physiology and Introduction to Pharmacology. The five modules of the course provide the molecular and cellular basis of diseases which is vital for understanding the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. The cell physiology module presents the physiological fundamentals and processes at the human cellular and tissue level necessary for understanding disease processes and drug metabolism. The genetics module presents the basic concepts and principles of genetics, the basic architecture of the genome, mechanisms of disease related to genetic changes, and gene therapy, to build upon the role of genetics in disease risk, development and prevention. The microbiology and immunology modules introduce and explore the roles of bacteria, viruses and other infectious-disease-causing microorganisms in humans. The module covers useful diagnostic laboratory procedures and emphasizes the clinical significance of pathogenicity and therapy. The Introduction to Pharmacology module presents the basic scientific principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and biotransformation needed to understand the therapeutic uses and effects of drugs. The module provides an introduction of how to apply these principles to classes of drugs using prototype and common examples in each class.
Offered at Providence
4 Semester Credits
PAS5325 Patient Care I
Patient Care I is a lecture- and laboratory-based course designed to teach the principles and techniques for obtaining, performing and documenting a comprehensive medical history and complete physical examination. Lectures focus on history taking skills including communication and interviewing skills and humanistic principles. The normal physiologic findings for each system of the body in addition to initial introduction to abnormal findings indicative of disease states are also presented. The laboratory sessions focus on developing, practicing and meeting a defined level of skill needed to competently perform both the medical interview and a complete head to toe physical examination. Instructional techniques include lecture, small and large group dynamics, practical experience and critiques of interviewing, communication and physical examination skills by peers and faculty.
Offered at Providence
4 Semester Credits
PAS5345 Professional and Health Policy Issues I
Professional and Health Policy Issues (I–III) is a course which spans all three (3) first-year semesters. It is a lecture and small group course which focuses on practical principles related to medical ethics and professionalism, cultural awareness and bias, healthcare delivery and policy issues, behavior change principles, the opioid epidemic and public health as they relate to the role and responsibilities of a physician assistant. Professional and Health Policy Issues I (PHP I) begins with an exploration of the program’s emphasis on humanism in medicine. It introduces the student to principles related to medical ethics and includes the AAPA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession. It includes instruction and discussion related to the laws and regulations regarding professional practice. Students explore and evaluate their own and others’ cultural beliefs and values regarding health and illness, in order to understand the wide range of cultural differences and to navigate those differences comfortably for the best care of and relationship with the patient and significant others. As future providers within the U.S. healthcare system, students receive an overview of healthcare delivery systems. This course also includes the history and development of the physician assistant profession, its institutions, and current trends regarding legislation and regulations affecting PA practice. Finally, PHP I includes an introduction to the principles and practice of public health.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5425 Patient Care II
This lecture, lab, and small group course is designed to provide the student with opportunities to use their previous and ongoing fund of knowledge and skills and apply those to case-based patient scenarios. It is designed to teach and foster sound clinical decision-making using evidence-based practices. The focus of this interactive course experience is the medical history, physical examination, clinical reasoning, laboratory evaluation, diagnosis, patient education and counseling for common problems encountered in primary care practice. In addition, the course stresses practice and implementation of humanistic techniques and approaches. The topics presented correlate with the disease states covered in the semester clinical medicine series.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5456 Professional and Health Policy Issues II
Professional and Health Policy Issues (I–III) is a course sequence which spans all three (3) first-year semesters. These are lecture and small group courses which focus on practical principles related to medical ethics and professionalism, healthcare delivery and policy issues, and public health as they relate to the role and responsibilities of a physician assistant. In addition, this course sequence addresses the theoretical basis of behavior change, and the principles and application of inter-professional practice. Physician assistants are faced with a wide range of challenging decisions regarding what is professionally appropriate, ethical and legal, and supported by high-quality evidence in the day-to-day interactions with their patients, their supervising physicians, other health care providers, insurance companies, and the healthcare system. This course provides instruction, guidance and practice in navigating and negotiating these interactions.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1.5 Semester Credits
PAS5470 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
The course provides an introduction to evidence-based practice and an in-depth review of research methods utilized in clinical medicine. Emphasis is placed on clinical questions typically encountered in PA practice and the tools available to answer them. The topics presented in the course provide the students with a basis for searching and interpreting the medical literature. Students explore the application of research in clinical practice guidelines related to topics in the clinical medicine course series.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5480 Food is Medicine I
This course is the first of a two-semester series exploring the role that diet has on health and wellness and providing graduate students with a framework to provide patients during future clinical practice. Students explore trends in diet utilized in treatment and in health promotion and disease prevention of common disease including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, cancer and obesity. This course takes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to bridge knowledge-deficiencies that exist in traditional healthcare. Lecture and laboratory sessions are designed to improve understanding of how nutrition may impact health and wellness in the patients of the future healthcare providers while providing insight into the barriers to following a particular diet plan. The final project for the course sequence is to develop a customized menu to address health requirements of a disease presented in the class.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5515 Clinical Hematology
This system-based lecture course teaches PA students fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the hematology system. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care course series to refine history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5525 Clinical EENT
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in eyes, ears, nose and throat systems. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care II course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5540 Clinical Pulmonology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the pulmonary system across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care II course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5565 Clinical Dermatology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the integumentary system across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care II course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5575 Clinical Behavioral Medicine
This system-based lecture course teaches the students fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the behavioral medicine system across the life span. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care course series to refine history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5580 Clinical Cardiology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the cardiovascular system across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care II course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
4 Semester Credits
PAS5736 Patient Care III
This lecture and small group course is designed to provide students with opportunities to use their previous and ongoing fund of knowledge and skills and apply those to case-based patient scenarios. It is designed to teach and foster sound clinical decision-making using evidence-based practice. The focus of this interactive course experience is the medical history, physical examination, clinical reasoning, laboratory evaluation, diagnosis, and patient education and counseling for common problems encountered in primary care practice. In addition, the course stresses practice and implementation of humanistic techniques and approaches. The cases presented follow those disease states covered in the concurrent Clinical Medicine courses.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5325, PAS5425.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5767 Professional and Health Policy Issues III
Professional and Health Policy Issues (I–III) is a course sequence which spans all three (3) first-year semesters. These are lecture and small group courses which focus on practical principles related to medical ethics and professionalism, healthcare delivery and policy issues, and public health as they relate to the role and responsibilities of a physician assistant. In addition, this course sequence addresses the theoretical basis of behavior change, and the principles and application of inter-professional practice. Professional and Health Policy Issues III continues with topics such as the theory and practice of behavior change, integrative medicine, medical ethics, professional practice, health policy issues, and death and dying.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5345, PAS5456.
Offered at Providence
1.5 Semester Credits
PAS5782 Food is Medicine II
This course is the second of a two-semester series exploring the role that diet has on health and wellness and providing graduate students with a framework to provide patients during future clinical practice. Students explore trends in diet utilized in treatment and in health promotion and disease prevention of common disease including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, cancer and obesity. This course takes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to bridge knowledge-deficiencies that exist in traditional healthcare. Lecture and laboratory sessions are designed to improve understanding of how nutrition may impact health and wellness in the patients of the future healthcare providers while providing insight into the barriers to following a particular diet plan. The final project for the course sequence is to develop a customized menu to address health requirements of a disease presented in the class.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5345, PAS5456, PAS5480.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5810 Clinical Nephrology and Urology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in renal and urinary systems across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5825 Clinical Orthopedics and Rheumatology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in orthopedic and rheumatic systems across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5830 Clinical Gastroenterology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in gastroenterology across the life span. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care course series to refine history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5845 Clinical Neurology
This system-based lecture course teaches the students fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the neurological system. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care course series to refine history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5860 Clinical Endocrinology
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in endocrine system across the lifespan. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5870 Clinical Infectious Disease
This system-based lecture course teaches PA students fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in the infectious disease system. The course builds upon the knowledge attained in previous clinical medicine courses and applies it to the recognition, evaluation, treatment and management of infectious disease. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care course series to refine history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5880 Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental principles in epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease states and conditions commonly encountered in gynecology and obstetrics. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions (acute, emergent and chronic) seen by primary care providers. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits
PAS5891 Clinical Pediatrics
This life-span special population lecture course teaches PA students the development, clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and diagnostic testing in the pediatric population. The course builds upon the knowledge attained in previous clinical medicine courses and applies it to the recognition, evaluation, treatment and management, including referral of common clinical conditions and diseases seen in the pediatric population. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented is included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions seen in the pediatric population. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5910 Emergency Medicine
This case-based course is designed to build upon the knowledge attained in the clinical medicine course series and apply it to the recognition, evaluation, treatment and management of common clinical conditions presenting in emergency medicine. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. Additionally, the course serves as a transition to the clinical year to provide students with the needed skills to effectively navigate their learning in the clinical setting. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining the approach to the patient presenting to emergency medicine. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through disposition with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the lifespan. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5425, PAS5510, PAS5525, PAS5540, PAS5565, PAS5580, PAS5590.
Offered at Providence
2 Semester Credits
PAS5930 Problem-Based Learning
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) uses clinical cases to stimulate critical thinking, knowledge application and integration related to diseases covered in the clinical medicine course series. Through this active, collaborative, case-based learning process, students acquire a deeper understanding of the principles of medicine by exploring all aspects of critical thinking in patient care from presentation through treatment. Students enhance the understanding of evidence-based medicine and further acquire the skills necessary for lifelong learning.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5325, PAS5425, PAS5470.
Offered at Providence
2.5 Semester Credits
PAS5950 Clinical Geriatrics
This life-span special population lecture course teaches PA students the clinical medicine, preventative medicine, alterations in physiology, common pathophysiology, and diagnostic testing in the geriatric population. The course builds upon the knowledge attained in previous clinical medicine courses and applies it to the recognition, evaluation, treatment and management, including referral of common clinical conditions and diseases seen in the geriatric population. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented is included. This course coordinates with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to problem-specific encounters. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient-centered medical model throughout the life span. Lectures present the most common clinical conditions unique to the geriatric population. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS5960 Surgical Principles
This system-based lecture course is designed to teach the student fundamental general surgery principles. The course builds upon the knowledge attained in previous clinical medicine courses and applies it to the recognition, evaluation, treatment and management of patients requiring surgery. Appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment as related to the disease states presented are included. This course is coordinated with the Patient Care III course refining history taking and physical examination skills related to surgical patients. Together, these evidence-based courses encompass initial presentation through follow-up care with a humanistic approach to a patient centered medical model throughout the life span. In addition, the course incorporates patient education, health promotion and disease prevention, and provides opportunities for the student to develop and refine critical thinking skills in preparation for clinical practice.
Prerequisite(s): PAS5110, PAS5200, PAS5325, PAS5345.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit
PAS6200 Family Medicine Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in family medicine. Students gain experience in the evaluation, treatment and management (including referral) of common diseases and conditions encountered in an outpatient family medicine setting emphasizing infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. Students actively engage in applying medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of common problems encountered in ambulatory family medicine settings to include infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. Students also work to incorporate a collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach to the care of their patients. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6250 Internal Medicine Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in internal medicine. Students gain experience in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult and geriatric patients in either the ambulatory/outpatient or hospital/inpatient settings. Students actively engage in applying the medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of acute, chronic and emergent problems commonly encountered in the internal medicine outpatient and inpatient settings. Students also work to incorporate a collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach to the care of patients. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6300 Pediatric Medicine Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in a pediatric care setting. Students actively engage in applying medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of common medical problems and issues encountered in pediatric medicine. Students also work to incorporate a collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach to the care of pediatric patients. Students gain knowledge and experience in the efficient and effective evaluation, treatment and management (including referral) of common acute and chronic diseases and conditions encountered in the pediatric population to include infants, toddlers, children and adolescent patients as well as the assessment and evaluation of the well child and growth and development milestones across these age groups. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6350 Women's Health Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in women’s health. Students actively engage in applying the medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of common medical problems and issues encountered in women’s health. A collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach as well as health promotion, disease prevention, patient education and counseling are incorporated in student encounters with patients. Students gain knowledge, experience and clinical skills needed to effectively recognize, manage and treat common acute, urgent, emergent and chronic diseases and conditions encountered in gynecology, obstetrics and prenatal care. Students also focus on routine women’s and prenatal healthcare maintenance and the changing health needs of women throughout their life span. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6400 Emergency Medicine Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in the emergency department setting. Students actively engage in applying medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of acute, urgent and emergent problems commonly encountered in emergency medicine. Students gain knowledge and experience in the rapid and methodical assessment, evaluation, stabilization and treatment of acutely ill, traumatic, urgent, life-threatening and/or emergent pediatric, adult and geriatric patient presentations and work as a member of the emergency department team. Students work under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6450 Behavioral and Mental Health Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the role of the physician assistant in the behavioral/mental health setting. Students gain knowledge and experience toward the refinement of skills needed for the unique medical, physiological, behavioral and psychosocial components and issues common to the practice of psychiatry, behavioral and mental health. Students actively engage in applying the medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of common problems in patients with psychiatric, emotional and behavioral disturbances. Students work under the supervision of a program-determined licensed healthcare professional or the professional’s designee(s) and adapt the standard medical history, physical examination, diagnostic and treatment plans to the psychiatric patient. Students also work to incorporate a collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach to the care of patients.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6500 Surgery Clinical Course
This five-week required clinical rotation for second-year PA students focuses on the evaluation, treatment and management of common emergent, urgent, acute and chronic surgical diseases and conditions encountered in adult and geriatric patients to include pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care and management. Students actively engage in applying the medical knowledge and clinical skills gained during the didactic year, along with continuing to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of problems encountered in the inpatient surgical setting. In addition, students work to expand their knowledge of surgical care as well as their surgical skills through active participation and engagement as part of the surgical team both within the hospital and operating suite settings. Students work under the supervision of a physician preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6600 Clinical Elective Course I
Students are granted the opportunity to complete two five-week elective rotations designed to facilitate their ability to evaluate health-related problems encountered in an area of medical interest. It can include the choice to obtain additional experience in one or two of the core rotation disciplines or other medical specialties. Students actively engage in applying basic medical knowledge, demonstrating and continuing development of their clinical reasoning and communication skills to the evaluation, treatment and management of common diseases and conditions encountered within the discipline or medical specialty chosen. The experience enhances students’ understanding of the role of a physician assistant within their chosen elective as well as to the unique care needs of the patient population within this medical setting. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6700 Clinical Elective Course II
Students are granted the opportunity to complete two five-week elective rotations designed to facilitate their ability to evaluate health-related problems encountered in an area of medical interest. It can include the choice to obtain additional experience in one or two of the core rotation disciplines or other medical specialties. Students actively engage in applying basic medical knowledge, demonstrating and continuing development of their clinical reasoning and communication skills to the evaluation, treatment and management of common diseases and conditions encountered within the discipline or medical specialty chosen. The experience enhances students’ understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the chosen elective as well as to the unique care needs of the patient population within this medical setting. Supervised clinical practice experiences occur under the supervision of a program-determined preceptor or the preceptor’s designee(s).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
4.5 Semester Credits
PAS6800 Master's Course
This course synthesizes learning from didactic coursework and supervised clinical practice experiences. Students participate in learning sessions that pertain to clinical medicine, patient care, and the transition to professional PA practice. Students also complete accreditation requirements for graduation, including a summative written examination, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and an evidence-based medicine capstone project using research techniques.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1: Didactic Year Courses.
Offered at Providence
1 Semester Credit