PA Program Clinical Core Descriptions

Emergency Medicine (PAERM-74681)
The core Emergency Medicine rotation provides an in-depth exposure to the illnesses and injuries sustained by children, adults, and the elderly that necessitate emergency care. The educational experiences emphasize the focusing of interview and examination skills and performing of techniques and procedures essential to the proper management of surgical illness and injury. 

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Directors: Stephanie Desandro
Course Coordinator: Eric Martinez
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2

Internal Medicine – Inpatient (PAIMI-78621)
During this core rotation the student will learn to apply basic medical knowledge to the evaluation of problems encountered on a general medicine service. The formulation of an understanding of the various medical disorders in adults and elderly is accomplished during the accurate collection of data, the identification of problems, and the development of a plan for each problem. The student likewise learns to view the patient in a broader context because of the emphasis given to the emotional and social needs of the individual. 

Credit: 8 semester hours
Course Director: Sarah Keyes
Course Directors: Andrew Caruso, Lindsey Jordon Gay, Alexandria Fornerette-Harris
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Internal Medicine – Outpatient (PAIMO-74631)
During this core rotation the student will learn to apply basic medical knowledge to the evaluation of problems encountered in an ambulatory clinic. The formulation of an understanding of the various preventive, acute and chronic medical disorders in adults and the elderly is accomplished during the accurate collection of data, the identification of problems, and the development of a plan for each problem. The student likewise learns to view the patient in a broader context because of the emphasis given to the emotional and social needs of the individual.

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Directors: Elisabeth Shell
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Gynecology/Obstetrics (PAGYN-74641)
The core Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) rotation exposes students to the spectrum of problems and issues associated with prenatal, obstetrical and gynecologic healthcare primarily in an ambulatory setting. The learning experiences emphasize family planning and birth control, sexually transmitted disease recognition and treatment, cancer detection, prenatal care, the evaluation of common GYN problems, and offer exposures to delivery and the surgical management of GYN disorders.

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Directors: Elissa Love
Course Coordinator: Jocelyn Greely
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Pediatrics – Inpatient (PAPDI-74751)
During this core rotation the student learns to apply basic medical knowledge and skills to the evaluation of problems encountered on a general pediatric service. The emphasis in this setting is on the provision of secondary and tertiary care to a child from birth through adolescence.

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Kathleen Thompson
Course Coordinators: Sanghamitra Misra, Rebecca Wilkinson, Tracy Thomas
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Pediatrics – Outpatient (PAPDO-74761)
During this core rotation the student learns to apply basic medical knowledge and skills to the evaluation of acute and chronic problems along with preventive care needs encountered in an ambulatory pediatric practice. The emphasis in this setting is on the provision of primary and secondary care to newborns, infants, children and adolescents.

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Directors: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Coordinators: Stephanie Marton, Sean Souders 
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Psychiatry (PAPSY-74671)
This core rotation is designed to provide an understanding of the behavioral components of health, disease and disability. Exposure to adult and elderly patients with a variety of emergent, acute and chronic behavioral and mental health conditions are used to develop informed history taking and mental status examination skills abilities to recognize and categorize behavioral and mental health conditions and techniques of early intervention and psychiatric referral. 

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Vicki Waters
Course Coordinator: Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Surgery (PASUR-74691)
This core rotation provides an orientation to patients of various ages with surgically manageable disease. The emphasis of the learning experiences are on the preoperative evaluation and preparation of patients for surgery; assistance during the intra-operative period to develop an understanding of team member roles and operative procedures; and the care of surgical wounds and post-operative complications. 

Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Jayne Chirdo-Taylor 
Course Coordinator: Yesenia Rojas Khalil 
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Clinical Phase Course Descriptions

Cultural Competency II (PACC-71521)
This course builds on the students’ cultural awareness and sensitivity in dealing with patients from different cultures through the exploration of personal bias, communication styles, belief systems, health care practices, family roles, and their impact on the clinical encounter using the skill of crucial reflection.

Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2, and Fall 3

Professional Role Issues II (PAPRI-71511)
This course introduces students to jurisprudence and professional practice issues. Through lectures, seminars, and individual assignments the student will learn about the healthcare marketplace, Texas medical jurisprudence, risk management, and professional practice issues to include employment and credentialing, insurance reimbursement, and medical coding. The course also addresses the alternative roles played by PAs in the community and the therapeutic uses for common drugs.

Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Sarah-Ann Keyes
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2, and Fall 3

Preparation for Clinical Practice (PAPCP 74551)
This advanced course will prepare PA students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) while reapproaching content contained on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) blueprint and further solidifying and advancing knowledge of fundamental concepts and disease states critical to PA practice. Having a solid foundation of basic science coursework and diverse clinical rotations, students reapproach material and concepts in the advanced and integrated manner necessary for success on the certifying exam and entry to professional clinical practice. 

Credit:  4 semester hours
Course Directors:  Elissa Love and Vicki Waters
Course Offered:  Fall 3

Health Behavioral Counseling II
This course continues the introduction of counseling and behavioral science theories, with focus on applying Motivational Interviewing skills. Learning activities include role play and simulated relevant learning activities to help learners develop an intimate understanding of the process of change and increase empathy for patients attempting to change health behaviors. 

Credit: 0.5 semester hours
Course Director: Beth Garland
Course Offered: Spring 2