MPAS 508 History and Physical Examination
MPAS 508 History and Physical Examination provides instruction and practice in obtaining and recording a comprehensive and focused patient health history and performing an accurate and appropriate physical examination on patients of any age. Emphasis is placed on professionalism and sensitivity to gender, age and sociocultural background. The initial focus is on developing the student's ability to recognize normal physical exam findings followed by distinguishing them from common abnormal exam findings. The course utilizes lecture, demonstrations, team activities, hands-on training and clinical reasoning and clinical skills applied to patient scenarios to facilitate skill development. Students will have opportunities to work in pairs, alternating roles as patient or Physician Assistant and in small groups with faculty members to further advance their skills. Faculty members provide guidance regarding appropriate examination techniques, patient positioning, gowning and draping. Students focus initially on mastery of individual body system skills followed by performance of complete history and physical examinations by the end of the course series. Structured student writing exercises for sessions provide an opportunity to practice medical documentation. Assessment is conducted using written examinations and assignments and objective skills competency exams. History and physical exam skills specific to special populations including pediatrics and geriatrics population are introduced in this course and expanded on in other course modules.
Offered
Spring I.