PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION
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Physician Assistant Practice, as a medical profession for the 21st century must be responsive to social needs and demands, as well as keeping pace with changing technology. In response to this challenge the faculty of the USF MPAS emphasizes ongoing review and adaptation of educational techniques and innovation to meet the health care needs of society for today and tomorrow. The curriculum of the program is designed to instill the caring and competent attitude of a health care professional. Principles stressed to achieve this goal include development of a strong foundation in the basic sciences relevant to the practice of clinical medicine, early exposure to patients in a clinical setting, an emphasis on active student centered learning, and the use of technology in both classroom and clinical settings. Through these principles students learn to take on progressive responsibility for patient care commensurate with their level of training. Using a competency based curriculum, student progress is tracked and assessed to ensure that graduates are ready for clinical practice. Student progress toward these competencies is carefully monitored to determine that the fundamental knowledge of the basic sciences in relation to career goals in medicine is achieved. Although during the first year the educational process, emphasis is on the sciences basic to medicine, clinical medicine is an integral part of training beginning in the first year. The second year emphasizes clinical training with repeated reinforcement of theme throughout the educational process. Active learning is practiced through small group discussions, laboratory exercises, clinical performance examinations, self-directed web based instruction, and extensive interaction with patients. Both physician assistants and physician mentors in both inpatient and outpatient settings provide valuable guideance. Through this training program, students will attain established competencies related to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the physician assistant
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OBJECTIVES OF THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
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To achieve national prominence for excellence in developing innovative educational strategies in order to produce high-achieving graduates, who serve their communities as professional medical and research clinicians |
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To provide a scholarly environment in which students from diverse backgrounds receive the requisite knowledge and skills to equip them to deliver high-quality, culturally-sensitive, and compassionate healthcare, in collarobation with physicians in an interdisciplinary healthcare team |
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Values:
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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL OATH
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I pledge to perform the following duties with honesty and dedication:
These duties are pledged with sincerity and upon my honor. |
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Objectives for the Program of Study Leading to the Master's of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Degree.
Upon the successful completion of all of the requirements for the Master's of Physician Assistant Studies program, the student will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, attitudes and values across the life span and in multiple settings.
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Medical knowledge includes the synthesis of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion, and disease prevention. Physician assistants must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. In addition, physician assistants are expected to demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations. Physician assistants are expected to understand, evaluate, and apply the following to clinical scenarios:
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Interpersonal and communication skills encompass the verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic exchange of information. Physician assistants must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system. Physician assistants are expected to:
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Professionalism is the expression of positive values and ideals as care is delivered. Foremost, it involves prioritizing the interests of those being served above one’s own. Physician assistants must acknowledge their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate:
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Practice-based learning and improvement includes the processes through which physician assistants engage in critical analysis of their own practice experience, the medical literature, and other information resources for the purposes of self- and practice-improvement. Physician assistants must be able to assess, evaluate, and improve their patient care practices. Physician assistants are expected to:
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Systems-based practice encompasses the societal, organizational, and economic environments in which health care is delivered. Physician assistants must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that balances quality and cost, while maintaining the primacy of the individual patient. PAs should work to improve the health care system of which their practices are a part. Physician assistants are expected to:
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REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ATTITUDES AND VALUES
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