Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to acute, chronic, urgent, and emergent patient-centered care of all persons across the lifespan. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking in all clinical encounters.
- Apply principles of epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and biochemistry to identify health problems, risk factors, diagnostic and treatment resources, and disease prevention/health promotion strategies for all persons across the lifespan.
- Acknowledge and address social determinants that affect access to high-quality healthcare.
- Utilize technological advancements that safely manage patient information, promote patient-centered delivery of care, and increase access to healthcare.
Demonstrate effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, patient- identified family or proxies, and health professionals. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Establish trusted therapeutic relationships with patients and patient-identified family or proxies to ensure needs and goals are met through the delivery of person-centered care.
- Recognize the cultural norms, needs, influences, and socioeconomic, environmental, and other population-level determinants to optimize communication with clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively, equitably, and respectfully to elicit, share, and document accurate information necessary to the delivery of high-quality care and services that are responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
- Demonstrate emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, honesty, and compassion in all interactions and conversations, including discussions pertaining to sensitive topics.
- Recognize communication barriers and demonstrate the application of effective interpersonal, oral, written, and adjunctive means of addressing communication needs.
- Clearly communicate risks and benefits of treatment plans and informed consent, adjusting to patient communication needs when necessary.
Provide person-centered care that includes patient- and setting-specific evaluation. Ensure healthcare management that is evidence-based, supports patient safety, and advances health equity. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Clinical and Technical Skills
- Create a non-judgmental, trusting environment in all clinician-patient interactions.
- Gather accurate patient-centered history and physical examination data in support of holistic patient care.
- Elicit and acknowledge environmental and cultural influences affecting patient life-stories and healthcare realities.
- Perform, in a safe manner, core technical procedures common in PA medical and surgical practices, including but not limited to simple suturing, IV placement, Foley catheter placement, ABG procurement, phlebotomy, and intramuscular/intradermal/subcutaneous injections.
Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving
- Interpret patient-specific data collected from laboratory, imaging studies and procedures based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to make informed patient-centered care decisions.
- Recognize and gather appropriate diagnostic test results, formulate a differential diagnosis and counsel/educate/empower patients and caregivers, enabling shared decision-making and patient-care collaboration.
- Apply principles of biomedical and clinical sciences to clinical problem-solving and other evidence-based general practice skills.
Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of other healthcare professionals in a manner that optimizes safe, effective, patient- and population-centered care. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Work effectively with other health professionals to provide collaborative, patient-centered care while maintaining a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust.
- Communicate effectively with other professionals to establish and enhance interprofessional team dynamics, striving to improve patient outcomes.
- Identify how healthcare professionals can collaborate and integrate clinical care and public health initiatives to optimize patient care delivery.
- Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines to ensure they receive optimal care.
Demonstrate a commitment to practicing medicine in ethically and legally appropriate ways, and emphasizing professional maturity and accountability for delivering safe and high-quality care to patients and populations. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Adhere to established standards of care in the role of the PA in the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate compassion, confidentiality, flexibility, civility, and respect when adapting to practice changes or during the delivery of team-based patient-centered care.
- Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to patients, the PA program, and the profession.
- Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness to a diverse professional and patient population, including, but not limited to, diversity in sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and abilities.
- Demonstrate individual accountability and the ability to recognize personal limitations, admit mistakes and errors, accept constructive feedback, and commit to a path of lifelong learning and improvement.
- Demonstrate commitment to personal wellness and self-care.
- Implement leadership practices and principles.
- Exhibit an understanding of the regulatory environment, and the laws and regulations regarding professional practice.
Critical analysis of one’s own practice experience, evolving medical knowledge and commitment to lifelong learning and practice improvement. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Access and interpret current and credible sources of medical information.
- Exhibit self-awareness to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and recognize limits in knowledge and expertise.
- Implement new knowledge, guidelines, standards, technologies, or services that have been demonstrated to positively affect patient outcomes.
- Identify improvement goals and perform learning activities that address gaps in knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
- Recognize the impact of evidence-based information and quality assurance initiatives in the holistic approach to patient-centered team-based care.
Recognize and understand the influences of the ecosystem of person, family, population, environment, and policy on the health of patients and integrate knowledge of these determinants of health into patient care decisions. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Recognize the influence of genetic, socioeconomic, environmental, and other determinants on the provision of healthcare for an individual and a community.
- Recognize different types of healthcare access systems and insurance coverage including Medicare and Medicaid as payers.
- Demonstrate awareness, accountability, responsibility, and leadership in patient advocacy by addressing barriers to healthcare.