PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 423
research in the Health Science field. All practitioners need to have an understanding of the ethical design of studies and the ethical treatment of human subjects in clinical research. Therefore, part of the class is dedicated to the study of “Good Clinical Practices (GCP)” as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration. All students will be required to obtain NIH certification in this area. In addition, the course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of designing research studies. We will survey multiple types of research methodologies including the statistical basis for making rational conclusions based upon the data. Finally, we will focus on medical writing, including how to do a literature search, write an abstract, and write a research paper. Appropriate form and style utilization will be discussed. Students will be required to complete multiple assignments including literature critiques, bibliographics, editing and the completion of an entire literature review. 3 credits, Fall PHAS 408: Behavioral Medicine This course is designed to introduce the students to the major mental health conditions including adolescent and childhood disorders. Special attention will be given to disease characteristics, etiologies, and applicable behavioral and pharmacological treatments. Prerequisite: PA major 1 credit, Spring PHAS 411: Physical Diagnosis I The techniques of history-taking, discussion and demonstration of normal physical findings with various organ systems and alteration of physical signs in disease states are introduced to the student. The relationship of physical signs to altered physiology is emphasized. Prerequisite: PA major 5 credits, Fall PHAS 413: Physical Diagnosis II Designed to complement the physical diagnosis lectures, this course enables students to develop skills in performing histories and physical examinations on fellow students. Prerequisite: PA major 1 credit, Fall PHAS 414: Medical Lecture Series I Symptoms, signs and abnormal body function are taught in a problem-oriented manner, including a logical method, relevant diagnostic maneuvers, possible therapeutic intervention and patient education. The lectures complement the knowledge acquired in Physical Diagnosis, and is correlated with the Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Science courses. Prerequisite: PA major 3 credits, Fall PHAS 415: Medical Lecture Series II A continuation of PHAS 414 Prerequisite: PHAS 414
6 credits, Spring
PHAS 416: Physical Diagnosis III In addition to performing histories and physical examination on hospitalized or nursing home patients, the student is exposed to a wide variety of frequently encountered medical problems and begins to develop a basic understanding of pathophysiology. In addition the student will develop a methodology for approaching any presenting medical complaint. Prerequisites: PHAS 411, 413 1 credit, Spring PHAS 424: Pharmacotherapeutics I This course is designed to provide both basic information regarding the pharmacology of many commonly used medications coupled with a practical and systematic approach to the selection of appropriate drug therapy for patients. Two major areas of focus are a review of the principles of therapeutics (e.g., pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and a review of recommended drug therapy for common medical disorders (e.g., hypertension, peptic ulcer disease). Students will be instructed on a process through which they will think pharmacotherapeutically - that is, to identify a disease, review the drugs available to treat that disease, select treatment based upon goals of therapy and specific patient parameters and how to adjust therapy if required. Also, all lectures are coordinated with Medical Lecture