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2007-2008 Academic Year Student Charges

Tuition and Fees. On notification of acceptance, prospective PA students are required to pay a non-refundable first registration fee of $75, as well as a non-refundable program deposit of $475. For those who do matriculate, the program deposit is applied to the cost of tuition.

Estimated yearly expenses, which includes Stead Society dues $60, Recreation $60, Parking $72, Graduate Activity $20 for the 2007 entering class of the Master of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program, are as follows:

Health Insurance. All students are required to carry full major medical health insurance throughout their enrollment in the PA program. If the student does not elect to take the Duke Student Accident and Hospitalization Insurance policy, evidence of other comparable health insurance coverage must be provided. The Student Health Fee is mandatory for all students.

Courses of Instruction

Course credits are the recognized units for academic work in the PA Program. All courses are required, no transfer credit is accepted, and no credit is granted for past experiential learning.

Preclinical Year Courses

PHYASST-200. Basic Medical Sciences. The basic facts, concepts, and principles which are essential in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of human physiology, immunology, and pharmacology. This course presents the basic methods of clinical problem solving and serves as a prerequisite to the clinical medicine course by emphasizing the underlying principles of the etiology, management, and prevention of disease processes. 4 credits. Coniglio

PHYASST-205. Anatomy. Functional and applied anatomy stressing normal surface landmarks and common clinical findings. Topics for this course are sequenced with physical diagnosis (PHYASST-215). Cadaver prosections, anatomic models, lectures, and computer software are utilized in teaching this course. 4 credits. Hendrix

PHYASST-210, 211, 212. Diagnostic Methods I, II, III. The essentials of ordering, interpreting, and performing diagnostic studies used in the screening, diagnosis, management, and monitoring of common diseases.  Topics for this course are sequenced with Clinical Medicine (PHYASST 220, 221, 222).  Lectures, small group discussions, and hands-on laboratory sessions are the teaching strategies utilized in this course. 3; 2; 1; credits. Streilein

PHYASST-215. History and Physical Diagnosis. An introduction to history-taking and to the techniques for performing and recording the physical examination. Taught in lecture and small-group format; audiovisuals are used, as well as extensive small group practice sessions. 3 credits. Hills

PHYASST-220, 221, 222. Clinical Medicine I, II, III. The essentials of diagnosis and management of the most common clinical problems seen by primary care practitioners. Using an organ systems approach, clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate correlative lectures and labs in pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, radiology, and nutrition. Patient simulations are used in the small group setting to enhance readings and lectures. This is a core course around which most other courses are organized and is a corequisite for pharmacology. 5; 9; 7 credits. Coniglio, Spear

PHYASST-223, 224, 225. Pharmacology I, II, III. The essentials of basic pharmacological principles and disease process therapeutics.  Topics for this course are sequenced with Clinical Medicine (PHYASST 220, 221, 222) and are provided in lecture format. 1; 1; 1 credit. Mesaros

PHYASST-230. Fundamentals of Surgery and Emergency Medicine. The course focuses on basic surgical concepts needed for the PA to function in primary care settings as well as major surgical areas. The course emphasizes surgical concepts, topics and surgical technique. A substantial part of this course consists of essential hands-on laboratory exercises emphasizing surgical skills in a primary care setting. 5 credits. Hendrix

PHYASST-235, 236. Patient Assessment I, II. An introduction to the practical application of history-taking and physical examination skills, and the recording and presentation of clinical information. Teaching methods include weekly small group meetings and weekly clinical assignments to examine and/or interview patients in hospital, outpatient, or long-term care settings. 3 credits. Coniglio

PHYASST-240. Behavioral Aspects of Medicine. An introduction to the skills, knowledge, and sensitivity needed to communicate and intervene effectively in a wide variety of psychosocial situations. 3 credits. Kingsolver

PHYASST- 251, 252. Practice and the Health System I,II. An introduction to the structure and administrative principles in use in health care organizations, and professional issues review. A lecture series taught by an interdisciplinary faculty and by community experts in health care organization. Topics include the patient as consumer, third-party payment, public policy trends, organizational behavior, legal and ethical problems, and the unique place of PAs in the health care system. 2; 2 credits. Strand

PHYASST 255. Evidence-Based Medicine I. A lecture and seminar course that provides a practical approach to making sound medical decisions on the basis of current evidence in the medical literature. Through a series of didactic presentations, group exercises, and reading, students will learn the basic principles of evidence-based medicine using a case-based approach. Basic skills in using MEDLINE and other medical databases will be emphasized and practiced. Research principles, research ethics, and basic statistical review are introduced. 3 credits. Coniglio, Morgan

Clinical Year Courses - Required

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE

PHYASST 300. Primary Care. This rotation emphasizes the outpatient evaluation and treatment of conditions common at the primary care level and the appropriate health maintenance measures for different age groups. Many of the training sites provide care for underserved populations in rural North Carolina communities. 8 weeks, 8 credits. Staff

PHYASST 305. Evidence-Based Medicine II. During this month-long course during the clinical year, PA students complete an evidence-based review paper on a clinical question of interest. They present their findings to faculty and student colleagues. 3 credits. Coniglio, Menezes

PHYASST-310. Behavioral Medicine. The student is assigned to a psychiatric and/or behavioral clinical setting, either inpatient or outpatient. This rotation facilitates the acquisition of communication and behavioral modification skills which are useful in the primary care setting. 4 credits. Staff

PHYASST-390. Senior Seminar . In small group and lecture settings, students review clinical cases and common medical topics and procedures. A final written summative evaluation is part of this course, which also serves as preparation for the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE). 2 credits. Dieter

MEDICINE

PHYASST-320. Inpatient Medicine. During this eight-week rotation, the student learns to apply basic medical knowledge to the problems and situations encountered on an inpatient service. By collecting a data base, formulating a complete problem list, and participating in daily rounds and in the management of patient problems, the student develops an awareness of the complexity of disease processes and differential diagnosis. 8 credits. Staff

OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY

PHYASST-370. Obstetrics/Gynecology. The student learns about common gynecological problems, pregnancy, and delivery. Assisting at surgery may be a part of the rotation. The rotation emphasizes routine gynecological and prenatal care, clinical experience with cancer detection techniques, abnormal menstruation and bleeding, infections, and contraception counseling. 4 credits. Staff

PEDIATRICS

PHYASST-360. Pediatrics. In this rotation, the student is assigned to either an institutional setting or a community-based pediatric site. Special emphasis is placed on communication skills and relating sensitively to both children and parents. The student gains familiarity with normal growth and development, pediatric preventive medicine, and evaluation and management of common childhood illnesses. 4 credits. Staff

SURGERY

PHYASST-340. General Surgery. This rotation emphasizes preoperative evaluation and preparatory procedures, assisting at the operating table, and management of patients through the postoperative period to discharge. 4 credits. Staff

PHYASST-350. Emergency Medicine. This rotation emphasizes the evaluation and management of both medical and surgical problems of the ambulatory patient. Students gain experience in the initial evaluation of emergency room patients, perform problem-specific exams, and practice minor surgery skills. 4 credits. Staff

Clinical Year Courses – Elective

In addition to the above required core rotations, each student is required to complete two electives that can be chosen from among the following rotations. All are four weeks long.

Postgraduate Physician Assistant Courses

PHYASST-450. Introduction to Health Care Policy. An introduction to the U.S. health care system.  A lecture series taught by an interdisciplinary faculty and by community experts in health care policy and organization.  Topics include major determinants of health and disparities, how health care is organized, delivered and financed in the U.S., health law and regulation, international comparisons and future trends.  3 credits. Conover, Strand (Not offered each year.)

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