PA 5120 Foundations of Clinical Medicine
The Foundations of Clinical Medicine course is designed to provide the first year physician assistant student with a baseline level of knowledge of the basic sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Genetics, Introduction to Laboratory Medicine, Introduction to Pharmacology) and to the study of health and disease upon which studies in medicine will further build. Upon completion of this course the first year PA student will be able to: 1) discuss the essential components of the basic sciences as a precursor to studying health and disease; 2) apply the basic concepts of human anatomy & physiology, biochemistry, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, laboratory medicine to the study of health and disease; 3) select appropriate laboratory studies to diagnose various disease states; 4) propose how chemical and structural changes at the tissue and cellular levels cause or result from disease; 5) discuss the essential biochemical components and functions related to health and disease; 6) explain the interaction of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors in predisposition to disease, onset of disease, response to treatment, and maintenance of health; 7) understand the basic pharmacological concepts of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and drug interactions; and 8) discuss how radiologic imaging and procedures are performed. Explain the particular imaging studies, plain radiography and cross sectional imaging, including CT, MRI and ultrasound. Fall 1 semester Phase I.