Department of Physician Assistant Studies

PY 104. Physician Assistant Seminar I - Orientation to the Profession.1 Credit.

This course is for ELMPA majors only. Students gain a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of the physician assistant profession and are introduced to the competencies of the PA profession. PA education, role expectations and practice settings are examined. In addition, historical information on the profession is presented. Students must have active AAPA student membership.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 204. Physician Assistant Seminar II - The Interdisciplinary Team.1 Credit.

In this seminar course, students explore the roles of those professionals who are part of the health care team and learn how team practice affects patient care. Experts from a variety of health care fields explore the relationship of the practicing PA in each professional domain.

Prerequisites: Take PY 104, PY 397.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 388. Clinical Training I.3 Credits.

This course is for ELMPA majors only. It includes classroom and clinical experiences and provides students with an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required for Emergency Medical Technician National Certification. Emphasis is placed on patient assessment, clinical signs and symptoms, pathophysiology and the practical skills necessary to manage the pre-hospital care of patients. Clinical rotations with an ambulance service are required. At the discretion of the course instructor, students may be required to meet for additional practical sessions outside of class time. Successful completion of the PY 388-389 sequence and fulfillment of state-mandated hours of instruction are required to be eligible for certification.

Prerequisites: Take PY 104.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 388L. Clinical Training I Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 388. (3 lab hrs.)

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 389. Clinical Training II.3 Credits.

This course is a continuation of PY 388 and is for ELMPA majors only.

Prerequisites: Take PY 388.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 389L. Clinical Training II Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 389. (3 lab hrs.)

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 397. Pre-Health Professions Clinical Affiliation.3 Credits.

The pre-clinical experience pairs an undergraduate student who displays maturity, dedication and sensitivity with a physician assistant for a 12-week period. The affiliation is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to observe PA practice and the competencies of the PA profession in a clinical setting. Students may register for the course according to the following criteria: permission of faculty; completion of a minimum of three semesters at Quinnipiac; satisfactory GPA; compliance with pre-clinical health and uniform requirements.

Prerequisites: Take PY 104.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 401. Introduction to Clinical Problem Solving.3 Credits.

This course offers the pre-physician assistant student the tools necessary for developing a systematic approach to the patient and his or her medical condition. Students learn to access and evaluate the medical literature for identification of the signs and symptoms of disease presentation, the components of a history and physical, and the understanding of a differential diagnosis. In addition, students are taught the basis for developing a patient assessment plan. Students may not receive credit for both PY 401 and HSC 401.

Prerequisites: Take PY 104, PY 397.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 411. Introduction to PA Skills.1 Credit.

This one credit course explores introductory skills for the Physician Assistant student through lecture, group projects, simulation and hands-on experience.

Prerequisites: Take PY 401
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 503. Principles of Interviewing.3 Credits.

This course explores the various methods of approaching and interviewing patients focusing on the establishment of a relationship, effects of cultural backgrounds, gender and age on giving and receiving of information in order to obtain an accurate medical history.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 504. History, Roles and Responsibilities of the PA.1 Credit.

This course explores through lecture and discussion the factors affecting the development of the profession and role socialization with emphasis on standards of quality assurance, credentialing of continued competence, policies and regulations governing clinical responsibilities and dynamics of membership on a health care team.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 505. Clinical Pharmacology I.2 Credits.

This distance education course covers the classification, mechanism of action, toxicity and clinical use of therapeutics agents. Side effects, indications, dose response and management of therapeutics are emphasized.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 506. Principles of Internal Medicine.6 Credits.

This course takes an organ system approach to disease emphasizing the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic and therapeutic approach to disease processes.

Corequisites: Take PY 520L.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 506L. Clinical Correlation Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 506. (1 lab hr.)

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 507. Principles of Electrocardiography.1 Credit.

This course offers a directed approach to understanding the principles of electrocardiography and its applications to clinical practice. Throughout this course, general principles of the etiologies of abnormal EKG patterns, the differential diagnosis and clinical management are discussed to correlate the EKG with clinical situations.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 507L. EKG Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 507. (1 lab hr.)

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 508. Diagnostic Methods I.2 Credits.

Clinical laboratory medicine is examined with emphasis on indications for tests, normal values, interpretation of results and correlation with clinical conditions. Laboratory sessions provide students with practical experience performing basic laboratory tests.

Corequisites: Take PY 508L.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 508L. Diagnostic Methods Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 508. (2 lab hrs.)

Corequisites: Take PY 508.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 509. Principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology.3 Credits.

Anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system are examined, including the changes in pregnancy, prenatal care, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy, pre- and postpartum care. Common gynecologic conditions, methods and effectiveness of contraception, cancer detection methods and the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections in the female are explored.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 510. Principles of Pediatrics.3 Credits.

This course examines the physical and psychological fundamentals of normal growth and development. Focus is on the major pediatric illnesses and conditions, their signs, symptoms and treatment. Immunization schedules, the various medications used in the pediatric population, their doses and indication are examined; the management of pediatric emergencies such as acute cardiac and respiratory arrest, anaphylaxis, seizures and trauma also are explored.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 511. Principles of Surgery and Emergency Medicine.4 Credits.

The fundamentals of surgical disease are explored with discussions on the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and appropriate management of major and minor surgical conditions and care of the acutely injured and critically ill patient. Topics are discussed with emphasis on clinical presentation and pre- and post-operative management. The course introduces the principles of life support technique and the initial management of acute medical and traumatic conditions. Laboratory sessions are used to familiarize the student with aseptic technique and basic surgical procedures such as airway control, various catheter placements, surgical bleeding control and wound management.

Corequisites: Take PY 511L.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 511L. Clinical Skill Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 511. (2 lab hrs.)

Corequisites: Take PY 511.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 512. Psychosocial Issues in Health Care.2 Credits.

This course explores how cultural belief systems and values in a multicultural society relate to the provision of appropriate health care/counseling. Students become familiarized with the biological and psychological attributes contributing to sexual expression as well as societal values that shape perception and expression. Factors associated with communicating with and caring for individuals from different cultures, opposite genders or differing sexual preference are explored. Lab sessions help students gain experience and develop confidence in approaching patients through preclinical clerkships. Students improve their clinical skills in the areas of eliciting a history, performing a physical exam, presenting an oral report and medical documentation via the patient chart note.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 512L. Psychosocial Issues Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 512. (2 lab hrs.)

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 513. Behavioral Medicine.3 Credits.

This one-semester course gives students an overview of some of the most important areas in behavioral psychiatry. The course includes an overview of basic psychiatric concepts and focuses on assessing patients who manifest psychological symptoms. Topics include diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, common child and adolescent disorders, somatoform and factitious disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, adjustment and personality disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and addresses forensic issues in behavioral health.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 514. Diagnostic Methods II.1 Credit.

This course covers the basic principles of radiologic and imaging techniques, indication for various tests and recognition of abnormal findings.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 516. Clinical Pharmacology II.2 Credits.

This continuation of Clinical Pharmacology I emphasizes commonly prescribed therapeutic agents.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 518. Physical Diagnosis.3 Credits.

This lecture course presents the techniques for performing a complete and competent physical examination with an understanding of the pathophysiology presented by the patient. Along with the comprehensive complete physical examination, students learn the problem-oriented physical examination as well as special examination tools and techniques. Synthesis of historical and physical presentations for an accurate evaluation of the patient are emphasized.

Prerequisites: Take PY 503.
Corequisites: Take PY 518L.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 518L. Physical Diagnosis Lab.1 Credit.

This laboratory/pre-clinical clerkship course presents and explores the techniques for performing a complete and competent physical examination and organizing and reporting the findings in both written and oral format. The pre-clinical clerkships allow the student to gain experience and develop confidence in approaching patients prior to entering the clinical year. Instructional techniques include small group discussion, practical experience with other students and patients, and the observation and critique of physical examination, write-ups and oral presentations.

Prerequisites: Take PY 503.
Corequisites: Take PY 518.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 519. Human Anatomy.3 Credits.

This lecture experience is meant to provide an environment for learning gross morphology of the human body including structural relationships, anatomical variations and clinical application. Approach to the material is both regional and systemic. Content includes the basic concepts of embryology, the comparison of normal and abnormal structural relationships and demonstration of how these things relate to health and disease. To meet the instructional goals and objectives, students attend lectures and review online reusable learning modules while making connections to concepts encountered in PY 519L.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 519L. Human Anatomy Lab.1 Credit.

This lab experience is meant to provide an environment for learning gross morphology of the human body including structural relationships, anatomical variations and clinical application. Approach to the material is both regional and systemic. To meet the instructional goals and objectives, students complete full cadaveric dissections and a self-study osteology review.

Corequisites: Take PY 519.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 520L. Clinical Decision Making.1 Credit.

The purpose of this course is to reinforce materials taught in Principles of Internal Medicine and to provide clinical correlations by working through a case scenario, in either a simulation or seminar setting. Students develop critical thinking skills by working through a history, physical exam, laboratory tests and diagnostic studies, and developing a differential diagnosis for each case, which leads to a diagnosis so that the student can formulate a treatment plan.

Prerequisites: Take PY 550, PY 519, PY 519L.
Corequisites: Take PY 506.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 521. Human Anatomy.3 Credits.

This lecture experience is meant to provide an environment for learning gross morphology of the human body including structural relationships, anatomical variations and clinical application. Approach to the material is both regional and systemic. Content includes the basic concepts of embryology, the comparison of normal and abnormal structural relationships and demonstration of how these things relate to health and disease. To meet the instructional goals and objectives, students attend lectures and review online reusable learning modules while making connections to concepts encountered in PY 521L.

Corequisites: Take PY 521L.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 521L. Human Anatomy Lab.2 Credits.

This laboratory experience is meant provide an environment for learning gross morphology of the human body including structural relationships, anatomical variations and clinical application. Approach to the material will be both regional and systemic. To meet the instructional goals and objectives, students will complete cadaveric dissection as well as on-line learning modules.

Corequisites: Matriculation into the physician assistant radiology assistant program
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 522. PA Success Skills.1 Credit.

This course is intended to provide the newly matriculated graduate PA student with resources and tools to successfully navigate PA school with exposure to different teaching and learning styles. The synchronous component includes discussions and group work, and the asynchronous component includes an On-Demand digital library created in collaboration with the Learning Commons which features professional videos supporting academic and life skill strategies pertaining to PA training, in a format that encourages proactive, self-guided study

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 526. Principles of Epidemiology.3 Credits.

This graduate-level course in epidemiology directs itself toward application of epidemiological principles. The course involves analysis of prospective and retrospective studies, cross-sectional studies and experimental epidemiology. Both communicable and chronic disease case studies are used, as well as case studies of occupationally induced diseases.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 548. Ethics in Health Care Delivery I.2 Credits.

This course provides an overview of the discipline of Medical Ethics presenting the study and application of relevant principles, insights and understandings of modern medical practice. The course includes a study of ethical theories, which lay the foundation for subsequent investigation into specific ethical problems found in medical science and technology. A framework of ethical decision making is introduced and practiced using realistic medical cases. The purpose of the course is to provide a framework that enables the student to reason clearly and effectively about the ethics involved in medical science and technology. This course better prepares students to identify ethical issues they may encounter during the clinical year and provides a method for ethical decision making when faced with these issues. The course assumes no prior knowledge of philosophical ethics or medical science.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 550. Physiology and Pathophysiology for PA.5 Credits.

This five-credit lecture course will provide the physician assistant graduate student with an overview of human physiology with emphasis on the body's functional systems and will introduce basic pathophysiological explanations of human diseases.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 553. Transition to the Clinical Year.1 Credit.

This one-credit course will provide the physician assistant graduate student with expansion of applied technical skills, didactic review, and clinical correlation of challenging concepts in clinical medicine.

Corequisites: Matriculation into the graduate physician assistant program
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 572. Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.3 Credits.

This detailed study of microorganisms and the diseases they cause in man includes consideration of infectious disease microorganisms including their biochemical, serological and virulence characteristics, and clinical manifestations. An organ system approach is used to examine the fundamentals of pathogenicity, host response, epidemiological aspects of infectious disease, as well as clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of infections.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 608. Graduate Seminar.3 Credits.

This seminar prepares students for the specific requirements of entering professional practice. Faculty active in the profession cover such issues as malpractice coverage, licensure regulation, risk management and legal issues, and aspects of the financing of health care. Lab sessions are designed as small group seminars. Through guided discussion in these small seminar settings, students explore the current literature and thinking on the competencies for the physician assistant profession.

Corequisites: Take PY 608L.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 608L. Graduate Seminar Lab.0 Credits.

Lab to accompany PY 608. (1.5 lab hrs.)

Corequisites: Take PY 608.
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 611. Clinical Residency I.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 612. Clinical Residency II.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 613. Clinical Residency III.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 614. Clinical Residency IV.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 615. Clinical Residency V.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 616. Clinical Residency VI.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall

PY 617. Clinical Residency VII.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 618. Clinical Residency VIII.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 619. Clinical Residency IX.3 Credits.

Upon successful completion of the didactic phase, the PA student undertakes an intensive course of study requiring the application of skills and concepts acquired during the earlier course work. Each student rotates through seven six-week clinical disciplines and two four-week electives at varying sites throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring

PY 648. Ethics in Health Care Delivery II.1 Credit.

This 1-credit course occurs in the third summer after the student completes their clinical rotations. The course is a continuation of the PY 548 Ethics in Health Care I. The purpose of the course is to reinforce a framework of ethical decision-making which enables the student to reason clearly and effectively about the ethics involved in medical science and technology and reflect on ethical issues encountered during the clinical year. Student experiences encountered during their clinical year are used to exemplify the theoretical course material.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 652. Medical Writing & Biostatistics for PA.3 Credits.

This course introduces biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, as well as critical review and application of evidence to clinical decision-making. Students learn to construct clinical questions and perform literature searches. Methods for critically appraising the literature and strategies for maintaining currency of medical knowledge through journal clubs are practiced. Review of basic techniques of medical writing and presentation allow students to develop presentations, posters and journal articles while incorporating peer review

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer

PY 676. Comprehensive Examination.2 Credits.

This comprehensive examination is a capstone of the physician assistant program. Its purpose is to ascertain if the student has both the broad and specific knowledge expected of someone holding a master's degree and is able to integrate knowledge obtained from individual courses into unified concepts for patient care. Evaluations include a professionalism evaluation, a written examination and an Objective Score of Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer