PAMS - Physician Assistant

This course is an overview of the physician assistant (PA) profession and the role of PAs in the health care field. Students will receive instruction on interprofessional practice, providing medical care for diverse populations, concepts of public health, historical development of the profession, laws and regulations for professional practice, licensure and certification, and professional organizations. 

The Basic Fundamentals of Medical Science course is designed to provide the first-year physician assistant student with a baseline level of established and evolving biomedical science knowledge upon which to build during the study of health and human diseases. This course includes instruction in the following areas of applied medical sciences and their application in clinical practice: biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. The course also reviews the basic fundamentals of study and test-taking skills, stress management, professionalism, and problem-solving.

This is a one-week preparatory session prior to students beginning clinical rotations.  Students will review preceptor expectations, professionalism, intellectual honesty, and appropriate academic and professional conduct. This course will provide instruction regarding reimbursement, coding and billing, as well as patient safety, and prevention of medical errors.

HEAL I is an extended course that occurs throughout the clinical components of the program’s curriculum. This course reinforces the knowledge of important medical practitioner attributes including humanities, ethics, altruism, and leadership.  Students will learn about the principles of the health care delivery team, medical ethics and law, cultural competency, diversity, spirituality, credentialing, licensing, certification, and preparing students to work collaboratively in interprofessional patient centered teams. Interprofessional patient centered team instruction will emphasize the importance of the team approach to patient centered care and provide opportunities to apply these principles in a scenario. This course provides additional instruction on the constantly changing health care system and the impact of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities on health care delivery.  Instruction related to medical care and diversity aims to prepare students to evaluate their own values and avoid stereotyping.  It assists them in becoming aware of differing health beliefs, values and expectations of patients and other health care professionals that can affect communication, decision-making, compliance, and health outcomes.  This course also provides instruction and assessment in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and developing a differential diagnosis and patient management plan related to individualized patient care. 

This is a continuation of the HEAL I course.  This course continues to reinforce the knowledge of important medical practitioner attributes including humanities, ethics, altruism, and leadership.  Students will learn about the principles and practice of medical laws and regulations, cultural competency, diversity, clinical informatics, professional organizations, and preparing students to work collaboratively in interprofessional patient centered teams. Interprofessional patient centered team instruction will emphasize leadership styles and the importance of cultivating these skills. This course provides additional instruction on the constantly changing health care system, including racial, ethnic, and religious disparities, as well as social determinants of health and the impact on health care delivery. It assists them in becoming aware of differing health beliefs, values and expectations of patients and other health care professionals that can affect communication, decision-making, compliance, and health outcomes.  This course also provides instruction and assessment in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and developing a differential diagnosis and patient management plan related to individualized patient care.  

This is a continuation of the HEAL II course. This course continues to reinforce the knowledge of important medical practitioner attributes including humanities, ethics, altruism, and leadership. Students will learn about the principles and practice of patient safety, quality improvement, end of life care, cultural awareness, health disparities, telemedicine, and preparation for post-graduation. Interprofessional team instruction will emphasize the importance of the team approach and challenges in telemedicine. This course provides additional instruction on the constantly changing health care system and the impact of homelessness on health care delivery. Patient safety, quality improvement, and principles related to death, dying, and loss are evaluated. Instruction related to medical care and cultural awareness aims to prepare students to evaluate their own values and avoid stereotyping. It assists them in becoming aware of differing health beliefs, values and expectations of patients and other health care professionals that can affect communication, decision-making, compliance, and health outcomes. Students will prepare for post-graduation through examination of the licensure and interviewing process, and principles and practice of professional conduct. This course also provides instruction and assessment in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and developing a differential diagnosis and patient management plan related to individualized patient care.

This is a continuation of the HEAL III course. This course continues to reinforce the knowledge of important medical practitioner attributes including humanities, ethics, altruism, and leadership. Students will learn about the principles and practice of medical ethics and law, health disparities, patient safety, reduction of medical errors and risk management, provider wellness, and preparing students to work collaboratively in interprofessional patient centered teams. Interprofessional patient centered team instruction will emphasize the importance of volunteerism in the interprofessional team. This course provides additional instruction on health disparities including disability status and gender identity. Instruction related to medical care and diversity aims to prepare students to evaluate their own values and avoid stereotyping. It assists them in becoming aware of differing health beliefs, values and expectations of patients and other health care professionals that can affect communication, decision-making, compliance, and health outcomes. This course also provides instruction and assessment in the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and developing a differential diagnosis and patient management plan related to individualized patient care.

This course will provide instruction to prepare students to search, interpret and evaluate the medical literature.  Specifically, this course will assist students in learning how to maintain and evaluate new medical findings required for the prevention and treatment of disease.  Instruction for the following topics are included in this course: framing of research questions, interpretation of basic biostatistical methods, types of sampling methods, the role of Institutional research training, and the use of common databases to access medical literature.

Evidence Based Medicine and Research II is a continuation of the Evidence Based Medicine and Research I course. This course continues to provide instruction to prepare students to search, interpret, and evaluate the medical literature with application to patient care. Instruction for the following topics are included in this course: analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating literature as well as discussing the limitations of medical research.

The Applied Research I course provides students the opportunity to conduct research. Students will search, interpret, and evaluate medical literature to develop a research project individualized to patient care. Instruction for this course will guide students in performing a systematic rapid research review to address a medical-based research question.

Applied Research II is a continuation of the Applied Research I course.  This course continues to provide research instruction in developing a journal abstract and medical poster.  In addition, students will be taught the skills needed to present their research findings in the academic setting of UMHB Scholar’s Day. The abstract, research poster, and poster presentation are all required components for the summative evaluation. 

This is a preparatory course prior to graduation.  During this course, students are exposed to multiple resources to prepare for the summative evaluation, which is a requirement for each student prior to graduation. The summative evaluation correlates with the didactic and clinical components of the program’s curriculum and will measure each student’s medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities behaviors required to enter clinical practice. 

The Basic Fundamentals of Medical Science course is designed to provide the first-year physician assistant student with a baseline level of established and evolving biomedical science knowledge in which to build upon during the study of health and human diseases. This course includes instruction in the following areas of applied medical sciences and their application in clinical practice:  biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, genetics, and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. The course also reviews the basic fundamentals of study and test-taking skills, stress management, professionalism, and problem-solving.

This course is a study of the applied medical sciences of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics and their application in clinical practice. Students will be taught the appropriate selection and rational use of drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Specific topics include mechanism of action, indication, adverse effects, contraindications, and patient education. This course will include instruction in the acute and longitudinal management of infectious, dermatologic, hematologic, cardiac, pulmonary, and genitourinary diseases. Students will be instructed in clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities while developing patient centered pharmacologic management plans for adult populations. 

 This course is a continuation of Pharmacotherapeutics I as the curriculum progresses through the body/organ systems. This course is a study of the applied medical sciences of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics and their application in clinical practice. Students will be taught the appropriate selection and rational use of drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Specific topics include mechanism of action, indication, adverse effects, contraindications, and patient education. This course will include instruction in the acute and longitudinal management of gastroenterology, nephrology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, otolaryngology, and ophthalmologic diseases. Students will be instructed in clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities while developing patient centered pharmacologic management plans for adult populations. 

This course is a continuation of Pharmacotherapeutics II as the curriculum progresses through the body/organ systems. This course is a study of the applied medical sciences of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics and their application in clinical practice. Students will be taught the appropriate selection and rational use of drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Specific topics include mechanism of action, indication, adverse effects, contraindications, and patient education. This course will include instruction in the acute and longitudinal management of neurology, endocrinology, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery, and geriatric-related conditions. Students will be instructed in clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities while developing patient centered pharmacologic management plans for pediatric, adult, and elderly populations. 

This course will provide an overview of commonly utilized laboratory tests and diagnostic studies based on current professional practices. Students will learn the appropriate application and interpretation of diagnostic tests related to infectious diseases, dermatology, hematology, cardiology, pulmonology, and genitourinary conditions. Students will apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities when selecting laboratory and diagnostic studies. The course will also teach students how to formulate a differential diagnosis based on patient-specific laboratory tests and diagnostic study results.

This course is a continuation of Laboratory Medicine and Diagnostic Studies I. This course continues to provide an overview of commonly utilized laboratory tests and diagnostic studies based on current professional practices. Students will learn the appropriate application and interpretation of diagnostic tests related to gastroenterology, nephrology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, and ophthalmology. Students will apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities when selecting laboratory and diagnostic studies.

This course is a continuation of Laboratory Medicine and Diagnostic Studies II.  This course continues to provide an overview of commonly utilized laboratory tests and diagnostic studies based on current professional practices. Students will learn the appropriate application and interpretation of diagnostic tests related to otolaryngology, neurology, endocrinology, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery and geriatric/palliative conditions.  Students will apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities when selecting laboratory and diagnostic studies.

This course comprises the basic concepts and principles that are essential in comprehending the fundamental mechanisms of human physiology at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. This course will focus on basic human physiology concepts to include the integumentary system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, reproductive system, digestive/excretory system, and lymphatic system.

This course is a continuation of Human Physiology I and comprises the basic concepts and principles that are essential in comprehending the fundamental mechanisms of human physiology at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. This course will focus on basic human physiology concepts to include the renal/urinary system, musculoskeletal system, neurologic system, and endocrine system.

 This course is designed to provide the students with an overview of normal and abnormal characteristics of human psychological development and behavior.  This social and behavioral science course includes 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/behavioral conditions.  The course will provide skills needed for clinical evaluation and assessment of pediatric, adult, and elderly populations with psychiatric/behavioral conditions and disorders. Instruction in this course will prepare students to provide emergent, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative care for patients with psychiatric disorders. 

This course introduces the physician assistant student to common clinical skills and procedures following current professional practices.  Students will utilize clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities as well as technical skills to perform in-office or bedside procedures.  Certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) will occur during this course.  

This is a preparatory course prior to graduation. During this course, students are exposed to multiple resources to prepare for the summative evaluation, which is a requirement for each student prior to graduation. The summative evaluation correlates with the didactic and clinical components of the program’s curriculum and will measure each student’s medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities behaviors required to enter clinical practice. This course also provides instruction and resources to prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).

 This course is designed to develop an understanding of normal human anatomy with an in-depth examination of anatomical structures . Emphasis is placed on the basic terminology of anatomical directions, planes, and structures, basic embryology, the integument system, the thorax, the abdomen, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system. Within each of these systems, students will learn the organization and spatial relationships of structures, the clinical significance of structures, the difference between normal variation and pathology, circulatory supply and neural innervation, and major anatomical changes throughout the lifespan. 

This course is a continuation of Human Anatomy I and is designed to develop an understanding of normal human anatomy with an in-depth examination of anatomical structures. Emphasis is placed on the basic terminology of anatomical directions, planes, and structures, the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, the head and neck, and the endocrine system. Within each of these systems, students will learn the organization and spatial relationships of structures, the clinical significance of structures, the difference between normal variation and pathology, circulatory supply and neural innervation, and major anatomical changes throughout the lifespan. 

 This course teaches the fundamentals of medical history-taking, physical examination, and patient communication. Physical examination of the patient is approached using a systematic model. Primary skills include performing complete and focused physical examinations, recognizing normal and abnormal findings, developing a diagnostic and treatment plan, counseling patients, medical documentation, and oral presentations. This course also teaches patient-centered communication techniques in preparation of medical care for a diverse patient population. This section of the course will focus on general survey and vital signs, integument system, thorax, lungs, cardiac system, peripheral vasculature, male genitalia, and rectal exams.

This course teaches the fundamentals of medical history-taking, physical examination, and patient communication. Physical examination of the patient is approached using a systematic model. Primary skills include performing complete and focused physical examinations, recognizing normal and abnormal findings, developing a diagnostic and treatment plan, counseling patients, medical documentation, and oral presentations. This course also teaches patient-centered communication techniques in preparation of medical care for a diverse patient population. This section of the course will focus on the abdominal exam, musculoskeletal exam, and eye exam.

This course teaches the fundamentals of medical history-taking, physical examination, and patient counseling. Physical examination of the patient is approached using a systematic model. Primary skills include performing complete and focused physical examinations, recognizing normal and abnormal findings, developing a diagnostic and treatment plan, counseling patients, medical documentation, and oral presentations. This course also teaches patient-centered communication techniques in preparation of medical care for a diverse patient population. This section of the course will focus on the head, ears, nose, throat, and mouth exam, mental health exam, gynecologic, breast and prenatal exam, pediatric exam, emergent exam, geriatric exam, well-adult exam, and violence identification and prevention.

This advanced core rotation provides students with opportunities to gain additional experience in one of the core disciplines or to supplement the foundational core rotations with specialty medical or surgical experiences.

This course is a continuation of the Clinical Disease and Prevention I course. This course continues to follow an organ system-based delivery of instruction in patient evaluation, diagnosis, and management of clinical diseases and disorders covering all organ systems. Emphasis will be placed on instruction in the pathophysiology of diseases common to the organ system. Students will be taught to recognize the patient history, physical signs, and symptoms of diseases in order to generate a differential diagnosis, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and diagnosis. Students will be instructed in problem solving and medical decision-making skills while developing acute and longitudinal management plans for the adult population. Management plans will be taught to be inclusive addressing medical issues, patient education, and referrals when needed.. This semester will focus on gastroenterology, nutrition, nephrology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, and ophthalmology diseases and disorders to include preventive, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative patient care.

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of inpatient internal medicine. This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to assess adult and elderly patients seeking medical care for acute conditions in the inpatient setting.  Students will assist in the evaluation and treatment of hospital patients, participate in inpatient hospital rounds and presentations, and learn how to function as part of the internal medicine and interprofessional medical teams.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in inpatient internal medicine. 

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of outpatient internal medicine.  This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to assess adult and elderly patients seeking medical care for chronic conditions.  Students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate, monitor, and manage health problems encountered in outpatient internal medicine.  Students will also develop the knowledge and skills required to implement preventive health strategies in adult and elderly patients.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in the outpatient internal medicine setting. 

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of women’s health, including prenatal and gynecologic patient care. Students will gain experience in well woman care as well as common women’s health diseases and disorders.  Students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate, monitor, and manage women’s health problems encountered in the prenatal and gynecologic patient. This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in women’s health. 

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of pediatric medicine.  Students will gain experience in the evaluation and management of infants, children, and adolescents seeking pediatric medical care. This rotation will provide the exposure needed for students to develop the skills necessary to evaluate, monitor, and manage acute pediatric health problems. Students will also develop the knowledge and skills required to implement preventive health strategies in pediatric patients.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in pediatric medicine. 

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of emergency medicine.  Students will gain experience assessing patients seeking medical care in the emergency department with an emphasis on caring for the emergent patient.  Students will develop skills necessary to triage, evaluate, and manage patients in the emergent medical setting.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in emergency medicine. 

This core clinical rotation provides students with experiences in the provision of care for conditions requiring surgical management, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care. Students will develop technical skills pertinent to the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care of surgical patients.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant to patients seeking care for conditions requiring surgical management.  

This core clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of behavioral and mental health.  Students will develop skills necessary to evaluate, monitor and manage patients with behavioral and mental health conditions, with emphasis placed on the development of communication and behavior modification skills.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in behavioral and mental health. 

This advanced clinical rotation provides students with exposure to the principles and practice of family medicine.  This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to assess adult and elderly patients seeking medical care for acute and chronic conditions. Students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate, monitor, and manage health problems encountered in family medicine.  Students will also develop the knowledge and skills required to implement preventive health strategies in adult and elderly patients.  This supervised clinical practice experience will enable students to achieve the program required learning outcomes necessary to provide care as an entry-level physician assistant in family medicine. 

This course follows an organ system-based delivery of instruction in patient evaluation, diagnosis, and management of clinical diseases and disorders covering all organ systems.  Emphasis will be placed on instruction in the pathophysiology of diseases common to the organ system.  Students will be taught to recognize the patient history, physical signs, and symptoms of diseases in order to generate a differential diagnosis, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and diagnosis.  Students will be instructed in problem solving and medical decision-making skills while developing acute and longitudinal management plans for the adult population. Management plans will be taught to be inclusive addressing medical issues, patient education, and referrals when needed.  This semester will focus on infectious, hematologic, dermatologic, cardiac, and pulmonary diseases to include preventive, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative patient care.

This course is a continuation of the Clinical Disease and Prevention II course. This course continues to follow an organ system-based delivery of instruction in patient evaluation, diagnosis, and management of clinical diseases and disorders covering all organ systems. Emphasis will be placed on instruction in the pathophysiology of diseases common to the organ system. Students will be taught to recognize the patient history, physical signs, and symptoms of diseases in order to generate a differential diagnosis, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and diagnosis. Students will be instructed in problem solving and medical decision-making skills while developing acute and longitudinal management plans for prenatal, infant, children, adolescent, adult, and elderly populations. Management plans will be taught to be inclusive addressing medical issues, patient education, and referrals when needed. This semester will focus on otolaryngology, oral health, neurology, endocrinology, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgical disease, and geriatrics associated diseases and disorders to include preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, rehabilitative, palliative, and end-of-life patient care.