Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions
PA-606. Human Anatomy. Human Anatomy is a broad, survey course that provides students with a detailed examination of all structural aspects of the human body. The course is presented by regions and allows students to learn and assimilate the morphology of different areas of the human body in an organized and logical fashion. Students are expected to become skilled at identification of anatomical structures, and are also expected to become proficient at recognition of structural arrangements and structural relationships. Anatomical structures are correlated with radiographic images in each of the regions studied. The course content is designed to correlate with important clinical problems that students may encounter as practitioners, and students are encouraged to start acquainting themselves with ways that anatomical alterations can affect normal function. The course is taught via lectures, class discussions, and laboratory dissection/prosection of human cadavers. Students have the opportunity to further their knowledge of anatomy by using computer-assisted technology, which is available online. Prerequisite: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program. 6 s.h. Summer.

PA-607. Introduction to the Physician Assistant Profession. This seminar course is designed specifically for the PA student covering the following topic areas: the healthcare delivery system and the PA role and legal standing in US health care, federal programs and initiatives in health care delivery, payment mechanisms and reimbursement policies, rural health care, public health care, community resources, as well as risk management and quality assurance. Collaboration with other health care providers in the team approach to patient care will be emphasized. A critical review of selected readings will be required for classroom discussions. Prerequisite: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-608. Clinical Laboratory Medicine. An introduction to clinical laboratory diagnostic testing will be offered with a focus on ordering and interpretation of testing necessary for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of selected clinical conditions. Capstone experiences will facilitate problem solving and critical interpretation of laboratory data as preparation for subsequent development of clinical and medical diagnostic skills. Laboratory sessions will be devoted to phlebotomy and tours of clinical laboratory facilities. Prerequisite: None. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-609. Introduction to Physical Diagnosis. This introductory course and its practical laboratory experience component provide instruction in obtaining a medical history and performing physical examination skills. Through lecture and laboratory instruction, students learn to perform and record a complete physical examination. Physical Exam topics follow the anatomical system taught in PA-606 Human Anatomy. Lectures include instruction in the principles of history taking and physical examination as well as examples of normal and abnormal findings. Students apply these principles in a supervised laboratory setting with peers. Prerequisite: None. 1 s.h.

PA-610. Bioinformatics. This course introduces students to the application of computer technology to the management of biological information and principles of evidence based medicine. A systematic method for accessing the medical literature and identifying clinically relevant, patient-oriented evidence is represented. The course also contains an online self study designed to build vocabulary and assess students working medical terminology. Prerequisites: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-614. Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I. This course provides an introduction to the study of the disease process. Emphasis has been placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include dermatology, hematology, neurology, psychiatry and infectious diseases. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving course. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy, Clinical Laboratory Medicine. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving I, Integrated Physiology-Pathophysiology I, Physical Diagnosis. 4 s.h. Fall

PA-615. Fundamental of Clinical Medicine II. This course continues the introduction to the study of the disease process. Emphasis is placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include endocrine, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving course, as well as with Pathophysiology II. Pharmacotherapeutics I presents the pharmacotherapeutics used in managing the disease processes discussed in this course. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Clinical Problem Solving I, Integrated Physiology-Pathophysiology I. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving II, Integrated Physiology-Pathophysiology II, Pediatrics. 4 s.h. Spring.

PA-616. Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III. This course continues the introduction to the study of the disease process. Emphasis is placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include obstetrics, gynecology, nephrology, urology, nutrition, and complementary and alternative medicine. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving III course. Pharmacotherapeutics II present the pharmacotherapeutics used in managing the disease processes discussed in this course. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II, Clinical Problem Solving II, Integrated Physiology-Pathophysiology II, Pharmacotherapeutics I. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving III, Pharmacotherapeutics II. 3 s.h. Summer.

PA-617. Clinical Problem Solving I. Clinical Problem Solving will consolidate the topics of medicine by developing a logical methodology of assessment of disease processes or syndromes, and subsequent intervention. Students will master the ability to generate differential diagnoses specific to the patients’ presenting complaints, signs and symptoms and laboratory data. A problem-based learning format is used. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy, Clinical Laboratory Medicine. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Physical Diagnosis. 1 s.h. Fall.

PA-618. Clinical Problem Solving II. Clinical Problem Solving II is a continuation of Clinical Problem Solving I. Prerequisites: Clinical Problem Solving I, Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Physical Diagnosis. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II, Pharmacotherapeutics I, Pediatrics. 1 s.h. Spring.

PA-619. Clinical Problem Solving III. Clinical Problem Solving III is a continuation of Clinical Problem Solving II. Prerequisites: Clinical Problem Solving II, Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA-621. Pharmacotherapeutics I. This course teaches the fundamental principles of pharmacotherapy by presenting the rationale and recommended treatment plans for a broad range of disease processes, symptoms and conditions. Students learn to individualize pharmacologic regimens based on drug specific parameters, clinical evidence, comorbid illness, drug mechanism of action, drug safety, treatment cost and monitoring parameters. Lecture material is augmented by case-based exercises to develop pharmacotherapy skills. 2 s.h. Spring.

PA-622. Pharmacotherapeutics II. Continuation of Pharmacotherapeutics I. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-623. Physical Diagnosis. This course and its practical laboratory experience component provide instruction in obtaining a comprehensive medical history and performing thorough physical examination skills. Through lecture and laboratory instruction, students learn to perform and record a complete physical examination. Lecture includes instruction in the principles of history taking and physical examination as well as examples of normal and abnormal findings. Students apply these principles in a supervised laboratory setting with peers, simulation technology, and trained patient instructors. Observations in clinical settings provide examples of problem-oriented evaluations. Prerequisite: Human Anatomy. 1 s.h. Summer + 3 s.h. Fall.

PA-630. Bioethics and Behavioral Medicine. This course introduces key concepts related to medical law, ethics and bioethics and uses a case based approach to explore the central moral, philosophical, and social problems in health care. Students reflect on the relationships among moral, professional and legal obligations of physician assistants, including those involving honesty, and respect for patient well-being, autonomy, dignity and confidentiality. Normal and abnormal psychological development of children, adults and seniors is discussed; students acquire skills in basic counseling, patient education, motivating, interviewing, substance abuse screening, and violence identification. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA-637. Health Care Delivery Systems. This course provides a discussion of pertinent issues related to current health care policy with an emphasis on the provision of care in the various delivery systems, reimbursement policies and their effect on physician assistant practice. The course will expand upon topics covered in Introduction to the PA Profession and expose students to practical issues regarding the economics of public and private health care financing. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-639W. Evidence Based Medicine. Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is the use of the medical literature to answer clinical questions that arise during the practice of medicine. The tools of EBM include electronic media and the searching of medical reference/studies/research to answer issues that related to the patient in the clinical setting. Students will be taught to apply methods of searching the medical literature to answer clinical questions, analyze the findings, and formulate a concise review reporting these findings. Students will specifically address the validity of the results and the relevance of findings. 3 s.h. Fall or Spring.

PA-640. Community Health and Preventive Medicine. Community Health & Preventive Medicine, including general topics in epidemiology, risk assessment, intervention strategies, public health considerations in selected disease states, immunizations, environmental health, behavioral considerations in prevention and assessment of disease and health, implications for individual and population-based patient care, provider education and resource utilization. Prerequisites: None. 2 s.h. Fall.

PA-645. Clinical Applications. This course builds clinical skills needed to negotiate the second (clinical) year successfully. Skills included are: Suturing and wound care, IV techniques, general and directed history taking, general and directed physical exams, operating room procedures, slit lamp exams, lumbar puncture, arthrocentesis, inhalation therapy, and others. Prerequisites: None. 4 s.h. Spring.

PA-646. Pediatrics. This course covers various topics of pediatrics, with focus on clinical areas of importance. Topics include: developmental & behavioral issues, nutrition & feeding, the acutely ill child, clinical genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, fetal and neonatal pediatrics, adolescent medicine, immunology and allergy, rheumatology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, pulmonology & ENT, cardiovascular conditions, hematology, oncology, nephrology (fluids & electrolytes), endocrine, orthopedics. Prerequisites: None. 2 s.h. Spring.

PA-647W. Advanced Clinical Problem Solving. Advanced Clinical Problem Solving will use problem-based learning methodology. Students will be presented geriatric cases, as well as surgical cases in a sequential manner and be expected to review, discuss, and research the treatment options for each case. Students will be taught to differentiate normal aging from pathological processes, analyze inappropriate polypharmacy, develop differential diagnoses for various surgical disease processes, and analyze the risks and benefits of common surgical interventions. 3 s.h. Fall or Spring.

PA-650. Emergency Medicine and Surgical Care. Initial, life-saving procedures for the critically ill and seriously injured are presented to the students. Shock, trauma, burns, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular resuscitation and other emergencies are covered. Additionally, students are certified in advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Surgery and surgical techniques, wound healing, pre- and post-operative management are also studied. Surgical diseases of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary system are covered, as well as common outpatient surgical procedures. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II, Clinical Applications, Clinical Problem Solving II. 4 s.h. Summer.

PA-651. Geriatrics. This course provides the student with a broad overview of challenges unique to caring for our aging population. The purpose of the course is to facilitate students’ ability to perform quality geriatric patient care and to foster collaboration of the students with other professionals working in geriatrics by fieldwork at interdisciplinary geriatric settings. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA 660 - Applied Physiology I. This course reviews the basic physiologic regulatory mechanisms responsible for maintenance of homeostasis in the normal human and introduces the pathophysiologic alterations which occur in these mechanisms leading to specific disease processes. It also presents a molecular and genetic basic of disease, and it provides clinical correlatins which support concurrent coursework involving th e treatment of disease. Understanding the mechanisms of disease is essential in the role of the physician assistant. Prerequisites: None. 2 s.h. Fall.

The Clinical Year
The clinical year begins after successful completion of all the didactic courses. Students participate in a variety of clinical clerkships at various medical institutions during the final year of their PA education at MUSC. A student earns one credit per one week of clinical learning experience. Students are required to attend a minimum of 40 hours a week at the clinical site and be on call, work shifts and weekends depending on the type of medical service or facility. Each year, a calendar is developed that provides for individual student clinical learning modules that are ordinarily five weeks in length. Required clinical training will include experiences in Pediatrics, General Medicine, Women’s Health, Primary Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and Mental Health. The student is provided one elective clerkship in a primary care area of medicine of their suggestion, and when approved, the elective is provided during an appropriate semester.

The following is a listing of second year clinical learning experiences offered, during which the student assimilates the requisite clinical knowledge and patient experience to be a competent member of the professional healthcare team.

PA 670. General Medicine Clerkship. This supervised five-week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in inpatient and/or outpatient medicine. The student may be assigned to the department of medicine and work directly with the supervision of the house staff. The student medically evaluates patients and follows their daily progress; thereby developing the ability to elicit history and physical findings, correlate those findings along with the patients' physiologic and biochemical data and emotional state in order to arrive at a database for patient management. The ability to analyze, synthesize and make decisions is one of the primary objevtives of this clinical experience. The student is given opportunities to develop skills and demonstrate competency in performing and interpreting certain medical procedures and taskes. Attendance at rounds, and orientation to the intensive care unit, grand rounds and medical conferences may be required of the student. In certain settings, there are opportunities to work with the assigned house staff in the outpatient medical clinical area, to monitor and follow-up patient management problems, and to discuss diagnostic problems, and suggest the formulation of management plans. 5 s.h.

PA 672 - Family Medicine Clerkship. Students are assigned for a five-week period to an outpatient medical department in a hospital setting, clinic or private practice and particiapate in activities related to health care maintenance and restoration. Students are oriented towards the complexity of disease causation and given the awareness that pathological states and manifestations are the consequences of multiple determinants operating simultaneously. The students explore health factors, external-internal milieu, psychological-biologic, psychosomatic, genetic, and environmental factors as they examine patients. Health surveillance is an intregal part of this clinical experience. Students participate in the outreach programs to alert the community as to what can be dangerous or detrimental to one's health, as well as recognizing signs and symptoms of impending illness. Students will also motivate patients to utilize methods of self-examination (i.e. have women routinely perform self-breast examination) as part of participation in preventative medicine strategies. 5 s.h.

PA 674 - Women's Health Clerkship. This supervised five-week clerkship takes place in a hospital setting, clinic or private practice during which students are an intregal part of the health care team. Students are responsible for care of patients on the Obstetrical and Gynecological floors and in the clinics within the hospitals. Students become familiar with the care and management of the ante- and the post-partum patients, and they may acquire delivery room experience. In Gynecology, students become familiar with routine women's physical exams as well as with the care and the management of patients with a wide variety of gynecological disorders. 5 s.h.

PA 676 - Pediatrics Clerkship. This supervised five-week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in caring for the pediatric patient. Students are assigned to a hospital setting, Department of Pediatrics, clinical or private practice and participate under supervision in a variety of activities aimed at providing the stident with a comprehensive picture of the growth and development of children, as well as pediqatric health problems at various developmental stages. Students participate in the health management of the infant, toddler, pre-school, elementary school aged child ane the pubescent and adolescent at the in-patient and out-patient clinics and in Emergency Room settings. Students attend daily rounds and special conferences, and are assigned topics for presentation and discussion. 5 s.h.

PA 678 - General Surgery Clerkship. This five-week supervised clinical course provides the PA student with hands-on experience in the operating room setting. Both pre-operative and post-operative assessment and care will be emphasized. The student is asigned in a hospital setting, Department of Surgery, clinic or private practice, where under the supervision, he/she engages in a wide variety of activities in each of the phases of surgical intervention: preoperative, operative, and post-anesthetic recovery care. The student is given opportunties to explore the basic considerations involved in the fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional management of the surgical patient, infections, wound healing and wound care. Students participate in daily rounds, surgical grand rounds and special conferences and serve on call. 5 s.h.

PA 679 - Emergency Medicine Clerkship. The Emergency Medcine five-week clerkship is planned so the the PA student rotates through various areas of the emergency room including the medical, surgical, orthopedic and pediatric areas. The student will work with attending physicians and medical staff and will see patients under their supervisoin. Students are expected to be present for A.M. Emergency Room rounds and/or evening Emergency Room conferences depending on the daily schedule. Each student will have the opportunity to research a topic and give a case presentation. Assigned readings are discussed eaqch week. 5 s.h.

PA 680 - Mental Health Clerkship. This three week supervised course provides the PA student with experience in assessment and treatment of common psychiatric disorders. Students will either rotate through the Psychiatric Emergency Room, be assigned to work with a Phychiatrist, or be assigned to an outpatient mental health facility. They are involved in the evaluation of patients referred for psychiatric services. The initial assessment, mental status exam and the final disposition ae handled by students under the supervision of the attending physicians. Students alos participate in comferences. 5 s.h.

Eight supervised, five-week clinical courses provide students with hands-on clinical experience and evaluation into the medical and surgical care for pediatric and adult patients. Students are actively engaged in the delivery of care in inpatient, outpatient and long term care settings. The clerkship experiences offer training in eight distinct disciplines, which are family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, women's health (includes obstetrics and gynecology), mental health, emergency medicine, general surgery, and long term care. The students evaluate medical and surgical patients and follow their daily progress; thereby developing the ability to elicit history and physical findings, correlate those findings along with the patients' physiologic and biochemical data and emotional state in order to formulate a plan for patient management. This ability to analyze, synthesize and make decisions is fundamental to the clinical clerkship experience. Students are also given opportunities to develop skills and demonstrate competency in performing and interpreting certain medical procedures and tasks. Attendance at rounds, and an orientation to the intensive care unit, grand rounds and medical conferences may be required of students. In certain settings, there are opportunities to work with a variety of house staff or related health professionals to gain a broader understanding of interdisciplinary health delivery and use of medical technologies. Students also receive instruction and evaluation in professional competencies including relating to colleagues, communicating with patients, understanding the PA role and limitations, self confidence, reliability, dependability, attitude and appearance. 5 s.h.

Subspecialty Elective. The subspecialty elective is a two-week supervised clinical experience that provides the PA student with the opportunity to select a medical specialty of interest to them. Suggested areas of study have been; dermatology, radiology, ENT, and gastrointerology, to name a few. This course is completed during an appropriate clerkship. This course is designed to provide a student with an overview of a medical specialty that the student would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience during the clinical year. 5 s.h.

PA-685. Clinical Clerkship Elective. This elective clerkship experience is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to have additional hands-on clinical experience in any of the eight distinct disciplines, which are family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, women's health (includes obstetrics and gynecology), mental health, emergency medicine, general surgery and long term care, or to gain experience in any specialty or subspecialty of medicine of their choice. Students are actively engaged in the delivery of care in inpatient, outpatient and long term care settings. The clerkship experiences offer training in eight distinct disciplines, which are family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, women's health (includes obstetrics and gynecology), mental health, emergency medicine, general surgery, and long term care. The students evaluate medical and surgical patients and follow their daily progress; thereby developing the ability to elicit history and physical findings, correlate those findings along with the patients' physiologic and biochemical data and emotional state in order to formulate a plan for patient management. This ability to analyze, synthesize and make decisions is fundamental to the clinical clerkship experience. Students are also given opportunities to develop skills and demonstrate competency in performing and interpreting certain medical procedures and tasks. Attendance at rounds, and an orientation to the intensive care unit, grand rounds and medical conferences may be required of students. In certain settings, there are opportunities to work with a variety of house staff or related health professionals to gain a broader understanding of interdisciplinary health delivery and use of medical technologies. Students also receive instruction and evaluation in professional competencies including relating to colleagues, communicating with patients, understanding the PA role and limitations, self confidence, reliability, dependability, attitude and appearance. 5 s.h.

PA-688W. Research Project. This course will build on research methodology skills acquired during HP 610. Specifically, Physicians Assistant students will complete a Masters thesis on a research topic selected with the assistance of a faculty mentor. As part of the completion of this course, students will be required to write a review article on a prominent medical topic of their choice. This review article will be selected and written with the assistance of the student's faculty research mentor. Students will be expected to comply with IRB and HIPPA research regulations, independently synthesize the information obtained, write a manuscript, and present their unique findings in either a poster session or oral presentation at a professional conference. Additionally, as a final product, students will be required to have their work "publication ready" for review for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Prerequisite: HP 610 W. 3 s.h. Fall or Spring.

PA-692. Graduate Project III.1 s.h., Fall. This three-credit course sequence will be scheduled as follows: PA-690 Graduate Project I, Spring and PA-691 Graduate Project II during the didactic year and during the Fall of the clinical year of the program. The outcome for the graduate project is for the student to develop a physician assistant practice-oriented project wherein he/she employs the principles of evidence-based practice by integrating current published medical research. In consultation with a faculty member the student will develop a clinically relevant question and/or community project. The student will be required to present his/her graduate project to the faculty and the PA program and the College of Health Professions community at the conclusion of the course. 1.s.h.

Addendum
Several courses offered during the Master of Sciences on Physician Studies curriculum are referenced in other locations in the Bulletin. These courses reflect courses with designations outside of “PA.” Those courses are listed below: