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: Eric Martinez and Stephanie Desandro
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 Directors: Andrew Caruso, Alexandria Fornerette-Harris and Sarah Keyes
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: Jocelyn Greely and Elissa Love
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 Directors: Elaine Fielder and Elizabeth Elliott
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 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: Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali and Vicki Waters
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: Stephanie Gordy and Stephanie Desandro
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Clinical Phase Courses

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 integration course provides an extended overview of the principles and practices of general medicine. The course will reinforce knowledge of the diseases and disorders physician assistants (PAs) encounter and the knowledge and skills related to tasks PAs perform when treating patients. This course is designed for BCM PA students in their integration phase of training who are preparing for the NCCPA PA National Certification Examination (PANCE).

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

Health Behavioral Counseling II

This course is a follow-up to HPHBC 62201. The course includes physician assistant (PA) case-based application of Motivational Interviewing (MI) counseling skills. Students will also use case reflections to self-assess opportunities for use of MI skills including equipoise, brief interventions, and a review of skills from the HPHBC 62201 course, especially evoking for change talk.

Credit: 0.5
Course Director: Beth Garland
Course Offered: Spring 3a, 4a and 5a