OBJECTIVES OF THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
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 MCOM MPAS program emphasizes ongoing review and adaptation of educational techniques to meet the health care needs of society for today and tomorrow.
The curriculum of the program is designed to instill a 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. The first year the program, emphasis is on the basic sciences. The second year of the program emphasizes clinical training with repeated reinforcement of theme throughout the educational process. Both physician assistants and physician mentors in both inpatient and outpatient settings provide valuable guidance. Through this training program, students will attain established competencies related to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the physician assistant. Students must not substitute for or function as instructional faculty for the program. Students cannot substitute for clinical or administrative staff during supervised clinical practical experiences. Students may act as tutors for fellow students.
MISSION
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 collaboration with physicians in an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
VISION
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
VALUES
High Standards - In upholding the highest standards, we will:
- Demonstrate ethical leadership by example
- Conduct ourselves with integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest
- Hold our work to the highest academic standards
Respect for Individuals - In valuing respect for individuals, we pledge to:
- Treat others with respect and dignity, honoring individual differences
- Promote open communication and listen proactively
- Create collegial environment based on loyalty to our co-workers
Advancing Knowledge - In expressing our passion for learning, we encourage:
- Exploration of new ideas in our teaching and research
- The courage to meet challenges and assume risk
- Diverse learning opportunities where creativity thrives
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Personal Development and Leadership - Recognizing that exceptional quality begins with people, we create:
- A culture of personal development and professional fulfillment
- A workplace where expectations are matched by our reward system
- An atmosphere where people value the balance between work and family
- A mentor-rich culture where faculty, staff and students can enhance their leadership skills
- Committment to Health - Supporting our fundamental belief in the PA/patient relationship, we are committed to
- The highest quality medical care to our patients
Training the next generation of Physician Assistants to be capable and compassionate
Promoting good health and well-being in response to the needs of our community
- Our community partners who help us achieve excellence in all that we do
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REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ATTITUDES AND VALUES
Learning Outcomes and Expectations
The USF MCOM MPAS Program defined learning outcomes and expectations are based on the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession as developed jointly by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
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Our graduates will demonstrate entry-level proficiency as Physicians Assistants in the following program defined learning outcomes:
Medical Knowledge:
- Demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care
Demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations
Understand, evaluate, and apply the following to common emergent and non-emergent medical, surgical and behavioral scenarios:
History and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses
Management of general medical and surgical conditions to include pharmacologic and other treatment modalities
Interventions for prevention of disease and health promotion/maintenance
Interpersonal & Communication Skills:
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic) skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system
Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes
Patient Care:
- Obtain an accurate history and perform a comprehensive physical exam
- Perform medical and surgical procedures common to primary care
- Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance
Professionalism:
- Demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse patient population by identifying the socio-cultural, familial, psychological, economic, environmental, and spiritual factors impacting health care and health care delivery; and responding to these factors by planning and advocating the appropriate course of action at both the individual and the community level
Practice Based Learning and Improvement:
- Critically evaluate the medical literature in order to use current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care
Systems Based Practice:
Provide advocacy and support to assist patients in obtaining quality care and in dealing with the complexities of health care delivery systems
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
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