PA Curriculum

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All NGU DPAM curricular components are published online, in the NGU DPAM Admissions Handbook, and NGU DPAM Student Policy Handbook. Both handbooks can be downloaded here from PA Handbooks.

PA Handbooks

Didactic Phase

The Didactic Phase represents the preclinical year that spans 12 months. As a general rule, this phase of training will occur between Monday and Friday, starting by 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. Some Saturday instruction may also be required.

The Didactic Phase will emphasize critical thinking skills through problem-based learning (PBL) to build a foundation of medical knowledge. PBL is student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem. Students learn both thinking strategies and domain knowledge.

Students will prepare for the Clinical Phase through hands-on experience in the program’s Clinical Skills and Simulation Lab. Didactic phase (year 1) courses include:

  • Spring I-A Didactic

    DPAM5100 (1 SH) Fundamentals of the PA Profession

    Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and introduce professional issues.

    DPAM5106 (1 SH) Research and Evidence-Based Medicine

    Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This course is designed to cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistics, research methods, and ethical standards in research. Emphasis is developing the skills needed to validate medical literature used in answering clinical questions and patient treatment.

    DPAM5108 (1 SH) Population Health

    Prerequisite: Admission to the DPAM program. This course is designed with an emphasis on social, cultural, emotional, and psychological factors affecting patient care and human relationships, including social determinants of health.

    DPAM5109 (1 SH) Functional and Preventive Medicine

    Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program. The functional and preventive medicine course focuses on the PA’s role in disease prevention (for individuals and society) rather than treatment. This course will introduce students to strategies that promote health and wellness, including self-monitoring of health risk behavior, goal setting, and behavior changes.

    DPAM5140 (1 SH) Introduction to Pharmacology

    Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This introductory course explores medication delivery, its impact on the body, and how it is eliminated. Topics include mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, drug targets, pharmaceutical math, drug toxicity, and drug interactions. In addition, this course promotes a link between microbiology, disease processes, and medication use.

  • Spring I-B Didactic

    The series of progressive and synergistic courses cover (1) Dermatology, (2) Hematology/Oncology/Infectious Disease, (3) Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat, and (4) Neurology.

    DPAM5210 (2 SH) Human Anatomy I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series devoted to the study of human anatomy. The course will cover topography, internal structures, and functions with correlations to body systems being covered in the medical practice courses.

    DPAM5220 (2 SH) Pathophysiology I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series devoted to pathology and pathophysiology. This course will lead the body systems being covered in the medical practice courses.

    DPAM5430 (4 SH) Medical Practice I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon other courses this term to include:

    • Pharmacology,
    • Physical diagnosis,
    • Critical thinking,
    • Clinical methods and procedures,
    • Pediatric medicine, and
    • Geriatric medicine.

    Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Medical practice is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5230 (2 SH) Physical Diagnosis I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Pharmacology.’ Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education) and how to document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed. Physical diagnosis is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5160 (1 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

    The course will also address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management. Clinical methods and procedures are covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5242 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles I

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work to include DPAM5140. This is the first course in a three-part series, which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications. It runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Physical Diagnosis’ courses. This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery. Pharmacotherapy principles are covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5170 (1.5 SH) Pediatric Medicine I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Pediatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5180 (0.5 SH) Geriatric Medicine I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to geriatric populations, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Geriatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5250 (2 SH) Critical Thinking I

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. This is the first course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. The course advances critical thinking, ethics, and problem-based learning. In addition, interprofessional experiences between NGU PA Students and VCOM DO students (related to body systems covered) will occur monthly at Bon Secours/Saint Francis campus in Greenville.

    DPAM5260 (2 SH) Psychiatry/Mental Health

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work. Instruction focused on clinical psychiatry to include social and behavioral science and basic counseling, and patient education. Social and behavior topics include:

    • Detection and treatment of substance abuse,
    • Human sexuality,
    • Issues of death, dying, and loss,
    • Response to illness, injury, and stress,
    • Principles of violence identification and prevention, and
    • Psychiatric/behavior issues.

    Psychiatric and behavior issues include;

    • Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress),
    • Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
    • Autistic disorder,
    • Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity),
    • Mood disorders (adjustment, bipolar, depression, dysthymic),
    • Personality disorders,
    • Psychoses (delusional disorder and schizophrenia),
    • Somatoform disorders,
    • Substance use disorders (abuse, dependence, and withdrawal), and
    • Other behavior and emotional disorders (acute reaction to stress, child/elder abuse, conduct disorders, domestic violence, grief reaction, and suicide).

    In addition, basic counseling and patient education techniques will be explored in this course (patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and focused on helping patients cope will cause illness, injury, and stress, and designed to modify patient behavior.

    DPAM5169 (1 SH) Special Populations

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. This course seeks to diminish barriers of care to (1) social identity groups (racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), (2) visual, hearing, and language impaired, and (3) and patients with religious barriers.

  • Summer I Didactic

    Topics and body systems covered include (1) Cardiovascular and (2) Pulmonary. Relevant topics and disease processes in each topic area will be developed.

    DPAM5212 (2 SH) Human Anatomy II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5210. This is the second course in a three-part series devoted to the study of human anatomy. The course will cover topography, internal structures, and functions with correlations to body systems being covered in the medical practice courses. Pertinent biochemical principles will be integrated into the course to cover cellular structures and processes, which impact health and disease.

    DPAM5222 (2 SH) Pathophysiology II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5220. This is the second course in a three-part series devoted to pathology and pathophysiology.

    DPAM5432 (4 SH) Medical Practice II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5430. This is the second course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon other courses this term to include:

    • Pharmacology,
    • Physical diagnosis,
    • Critical thinking,
    • Clinical methods and procedures,
    • Pediatric medicine, and
    • Geriatric medicine.

    Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Medical practice is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5232 (2 SH) Physical Diagnosis II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5230. This is the second course in a three-part series, which runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Pharmacology.’ Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education) and how to document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed. Physical diagnosis is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5162 (1 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include 5160. This is the second course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated necessary for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the course will address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management. Clinical methods and procedures are covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5244 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles II

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work to include DPAM5142. This is the second course in a three-part series, which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications. It runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Physical Diagnosis’ courses. This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery. Pharmacotherapy is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5172 (1.5 SH) Pediatric Medicine II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5170. This is the second course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Pediatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5182 (0.5 SH) Geriatric Medicine II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5180. This is the second course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to geriatric populations, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Geriatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5252 (2 SH) Critical Thinking II

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5250. This is the second course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. The course advances critical thinking, ethics, and problem-based learning. In addition, interprofessional experiences between NGU PA Students and VCOM DO students (related to body systems covered) will occur monthly at Bon Secours/Saint Francis campus in Greenville.

    DPAM5104 (1 SH) Health Care Ethics

    Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This course is designed to provide the student with an appreciation of the basic knowledge and skills in ethical theory and reasoning, professional ethics, and approaches to healthcare decision-making. It will focus on a four-step method of analyzing an ethical problem, which includes (1) medical indications, (2) patient preferences, (3) quality of life, and (4) contextual features meaning social, economic, legal, and administrative context in which the case appears.

    DPAM5102 (1 SH) Health Care Policy

    Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This course is designed to help students understand policy governing PA practice and the practice of medicine.

  • Fall I Didactic

    Topics and body systems covered include (1) Gastroenterology, (2) Endocrine, (3) Reproductive (4) Renal/Genitourinary, (5) Musculoskeletal. Relevant topics and disease processes in each topic area will be developed.

    DPAM5214 (2 SH) Human Anatomy III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5212. This is the third course in a three-part series devoted to the study of human anatomy. The course will cover topography, internal structures, and functions with correlations to body systems being covered in the medical practice courses. Pertinent biochemical principles will be integrated into the course to cover cellular structures and processes, which impact health and disease.

    DPAM5224 (2 SH) Pathophysiology III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5222. This is the third course in a three-part series devoted to pathology and pathophysiology.

    DPAM5434 (4 SH) Medical Practice III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5432. This is the third course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon other courses this term to include (1) pharmacology, (2) physical diagnosis, (3) critical thinking, (4) clinical methods and procedures, (5) pediatric medicine, and (6) geriatric medicine. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Medical practice is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5234 (2 SH) Physical Diagnosis III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5232. This is the third course in a three-part series, which runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Pharmacology.’ Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education) and how to document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed. Physical diagnosis is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5164 (1 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5162. This is the third course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated necessary for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the course will address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management. Clinical methods and procedures are covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5246 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles III

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work to include DPAM5144. This is the third course in a three-part series, which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications. It runs concurrently with the ‘Medical Practice’ and ‘Physical Diagnosis’ courses. This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery. Pharmacotherapy principles are covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5174 (1.5 SH) Pediatric Medicine III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5172. This is the third course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Pediatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5184 (0.5 SH) Geriatric Medicine III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5182. This is the third course in a three-part series, which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. This course runs concurrently with and builds upon the medical practice curriculum. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to geriatric populations, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Geriatrics is covered using platform instruction and small group problem-based learning exercises.

    DPAM5254 (2 SH) Critical Thinking III

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include 5252. This is the third course in a three-part series, which mirrors the ‘Medical Practice,’ ‘Physical Diagnosis,’ and ‘Pharmacology’ series of courses. The course advances critical thinking, ethics, and problem-based learning. In addition, interprofessional experiences between NGU PA Students and VCOM DO students (related to body systems covered) will occur monthly at Bon Secours/Saint Francis campus in Greenville.

    DPAM5396 (3 SH) Global Health

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. The PA Service course discusses service opportunities at the local, state, national, and international levels to include:

    • Global Burden of Disease
    • Disaster Medical Operations/Improvised Medicine
    • Basic Needs When Providing Care in Extreme Environments
    • Water and Food-Borne Disease (hydration and nutrition)
    • Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/Aids/Tropical Diseases
    • Patient Assessment in Extreme Environments
    • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
    • Search and rescue operations

    Discussions will help students understand each concept and promote a lifelong commitment to service in their local and not so local communities.

    DPAM5376 (3 SH) Foundations of Emergency Medicine

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. This course prepares students to recognize, rapidly assess, and effectively manage emergent situations, illnesses, or injuries. Problem-based case studies and team-based activities are used to encourage the development of teamwork, collaboration, and interdisciplinary value. Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support training are part of this course.

    DPAM5178 (1 SH) Foundations of Surgery

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. This course covers concepts of surgical assessment, basic surgical skills and procedures, surgical complications, and management of surgical patients. It builds on the foundation of the previous medicine courses and expands on etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and diagnosis, and appropriate management of selected surgical conditions, including care of acute and chronic patients.

    Emphasis is on students developing competency in the principles and practices involved in aseptic and basic surgical techniques, surgical risk assessment, wound management, anesthesia, and preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative evaluation and management.

    DPAM5198 (1 SH) Transition to Clerkships

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. The purpose of this course is to: (1) provide the student with a time of self-assessment, (2) evaluate the students’ knowledge, skills, and attitude, (3) identify the student’s level of preparedness for clinical rotations, and (4) promote interprofessional relationships.

    The course will evaluate student preparedness using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) testing, clinical skills assessments, and a written examination. Students must pass each of the three testing areas prior to the start of SCPE rotations. Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) expectations and behavior will be discussed.

Clinical Phase

The Clinical Phase represents the clinical year and consists of 11 months of supervised clinical education and coursework.

  • Spring II, Summer II and Fall II Clinical Year

    Clinical Rotations are designed to provide medical experience and patient exposure and are referred to as Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE). These experiences form the basis of the clinical and socialization processes for adaptation to the roles and functions of a PA.

    The NGU PA Medicine program has signed affiliation agreements with regional health care facilities that support the rotation process. These agreements will enable our students to gain clinical experience through hospitals, clinics, and other practices throughout the region. The program is also intently engaged in developing opportunities for international rotations through existing relationships with North Greenville University.

    During the second year of training, students will build upon the knowledge and skills learned during didactic through experiential learning in ten Supervised Clinical Practice Experience settings. Settings include:

    • Family medicine
    • Internal medicine
    • Pediatrics
    • Prenatal and gynecology
    • Emergency medicine
    • Surgery
    • Psychiatry/mental health
    • An elective of choice, urgent care elective, underserved elective

    At least one of the clerkships will occur in an underserved population. PAEA ‘end of rotation’ exams and two ‘rotation assessment days’ (students return to campus for presentations and testing) will be used throughout the year. Minimum benchmark goals – related to patient exposure and procedures during the clinical year – have been established and are outlined below and in the SCPE syllabus. These goals and clerkship timelines are based on an average of four unique patient contacts per day over the course of an SCPE rotation.

    Contact categories are based on didactic work, ARC-PA B3 standards, and graduate competencies and outcomes. As part of this, realistic numbers related to the (1) type of encounter, (2) patient age, (3) women’s health, and (4) practice setting were established. These goals will be used to help evaluate the value and validity of each clerkship site and determine if adequate exposure/training has occurred (via SCPE encounter tracking and end or rotation survey/s).

    In addition, when available, the PAEA end of rotation exams will be used as an evaluation tool to assess student’s understanding of disease presentation and management across the continuum of patient exposures. Students are required to return to the NGU PA Medicine campus on the last Friday of each clerkship. Finally, during Spring II, students will take an online course on teamwork and communication for integrated healthcare.

  • Spring II, Summer II, and Fall II Clerkships

    DPAM6512 (5 SH) Elective Clerkship

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. The 4-week long Elective (orthopedics, endocrinology, dermatology, disaster medicine, wilderness survival, international, etc.) Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs. International rotations are available to students after successfully completing three non-international SCPE. The international option provides one week of travel (split between leaving the U.S. and return) and three weeks of observing medical systems and care in the developing country site. This international clerkship exposes students to international and/or heavily underserved medical populations and promotes inherent benefits to include:

    An appreciation for cultural literacy, increasing one’s ability to recognize and respect socioeconomic and cultural differences

    Heightened enthusiasm for a career in medicine

    A better understanding of heavily underserved populations, global disease, and traveler’s medicine – allowing them to respect their role in humanitarian service

    Recognition of the impact that society and economics have on disease

    Learning diagnostic skills in the presence of limited resources enhances clinical exam skills

    Complexities of the health care system and the role of interprofessional collaboration to improve the system

    A realistic cost estimate for this clerkship option is between $1,500 and $4,000 depending on the site (Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, or India). The cost should cover airfare, room and board, food, ground transportation, security, and translator needs.

    DPAM6515 (5 SH) Elective Clerkship II

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. The 4-week long Elective Clerkship II (Urgent Care) Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute care associated with patients across the life span, including pediatrics, adults, elderly, women’s health, and mental health conditions. Occurs in an Urgent Care or similar setting.

    DPAM6516 (5 SH) Elective Clerkship III

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work. The 4-week long Elective Clerkship III (Underserved) Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. This clerkship exposes students to international and/or heavily underserved medical populations and promotes inherent benefits to include:

    • An appreciation for cultural literacy, increasing one’s ability to recognize and respect socioeconomic and cultural differences
    • Heightened enthusiasm for a career in medicine
    • A better understanding of heavily underserved populations, global disease, and traveler’s medicine – allowing them to respect their role in humanitarian service
    • Recognition of the impact that society and economics have on disease
    • Learning diagnostic skills in the presence of limited resources enhances clinical exam skills

    This course is broken into three sections:

    • One week of didactics on ethics, cultures, religions, poverty, and behavior in developing countries, severely underserved inner-city clinics, and isolated areas in the U.S.
    • One week in a developing country village OR inner-city free clinic (seeing severely underserved patients).

    For those going to a developing country:

    • They will travel as a group of 6 to 10 (maximum is 15).
    • They will be accompanied by a physician and one to two PA faculty.
    • Patient care will be student-led, meaning students see patients and report findings and treatment options to a physician or PA (patient also seen by physician or PA).
    • Two weeks of student presentations on their experience (on-campus).
    • A realistic cost estimate is between $1,500 and $2,000, and this cost should cover airfare, room and board, food, ground transportation, security, and translator needs. In addition, the international option is a student-led trip, and students are responsible for additional costs such as medications, health supplies, etc. (see tables at the end of this document for estimated costs). It is expected that students will use fundraising events to supplement these costs. The exact amount will be determined prior to the trip, and estimates of costs will depend on vendors and availability.

    DPAM6500 (5 SH) Psychiatry/Mental Health Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Behavior Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs associated with behavior and mental health conditions.  

    DPAM6502 (5 SH) Emergency Medicine Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Emergency Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and emergent medical needs associated with patients across the life span to include pediatrics, adults, elderly, women’s health, and mental health conditions.

    DPAM6504 (5 SH) General Surgery Clerkship

    • The 4-week long General Surgery Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs associated with pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative surgical management.

    DPAM6506 (5 SH) Internal Medicine Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Internal Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs associated with the adult and elderly population.

    DPAM6508 (5 SH) Prenatal and Gynecology Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Prenatal and Gynecology Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs associated with women’s health to include prenatal and gynecological care.

    DPAM6510 (5 SH) Pediatrics Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Pediatric Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to acute, chronic, and preventive medical needs associated with the infant, child, and adolescent population.  

    DPAM6514 (5 SH) Family Medicine Clerkship

    • The 4-week long Family Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) will enable students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. SCPE encounters will include patient care related to chronic and preventive medical needs associated with patients across the life span to include pediatrics, adults, elderly, women’s health, and mental health conditions.  Occurs in a Family Practice setting.

    Note students who opt-out of the overseas portion of this clerkship will spend that week observing care in an underserved inner-city free clinic (at no additional costs beyond regular housing, etc.). All other aspects, however, of this clerkship will apply.

Summative

  • Fall II

    DPAM6520 (5 SH) Summative Evaluation

    The Summative Phase is 1 month in duration and represents the final stage of the program and includes the following ‘summative’ evaluations:

    • Written examination covering the knowledge base content associated with all the basic medical and clinical sciences and its application to the practice of medicine.
    • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is used to evaluate direct patient care skills including obtaining the medical history, physical examination skills, communication, and professionalism.
    • Skill Specific Testing, which is used to assess the student’s ability to perform and/or interpret the diagnostic and therapeutic skills, listed in this SCPE core syllabus.

    Additional instruction will include:

    • A review of patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management
    • Instruction about PA licensure, credentialing, and laws and regulations regarding professional practice
    • In addition, the program curriculum will include instruction in the PA profession and current trends to include:
      • Physician-PA team relationship
      • Political issues that affect PA practice
      • PA professional organizations

    Finally, students will also engage in preparation for the PANCE exam, Curriculum Vitae creation, and preparation for job interviews.

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