MPAS 607 Foundations of PA Practice I
This first course presents the basic concepts, facts, and principles that are essential in understanding the fundamental elements of the physician assistant profession. Utilizing the team-based learning approach, students will develop an appreciation of the unique contributions of various professionals in the community. Lectures, small group discussions, reflective paper, readings, and flipped classroom sessions are the teaching strategies for this course. Topics addressed during this semester will include the impact of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities on health care delivery; evaluation of personal values and stereotyping; differing health care beliefs, values, and expectations; health care delivery systems and policies; interprofessional competencies; research literacy; professional conduct; strategies on test taking; social media; library resources; the physician assistant profession, its historical development, and current trends; the physician/physician assistant team; political issues that affect physician assistant practice; and physician assistant professional organizations; as well as medical statistics, medical research, and education on searching, interpreting, and evaluating medical literature and how this applies to individualized patient care. Student self-assessment and reflection will occur during this course. Professionalism will be assessed.