PAC 680: Pediatric Subspecialty

Course Description This elective rotation provides students with another pediatric clinical experience, and is available to those who have completed the required Pediatrics rotation. Students are assigned to work directly with pediatricians in a private office or hospital setting. Students gain experience in analyzing historical and physical findings and diagnostic tests to formulate differential diagnoses, treatment plans, and counseling strategies. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 671.
  
Credits 5

PAC 681: Infectious Diseases

Course Description This elective clinical learning experience takes place in both in-patient and out-patient settings. Students are assigned to work directly with attending physicians and/or physician assistants in conjunction with the health care team in the Department of Infectious Diseases. Students develop proficiency in anti-microbial therapy, immunizations, and the work-up and management of infectious diseases, with special emphasis on AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses. Also, students learn and apply infectious disease control measures. Students may attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while on the Infectious Diseases service. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 674.
  
Credits 5

PAC 682: Orthopedics

Course Description This elective clinical learning experience takes place in both the clinic and hospital settings. Students are assigned to work directly with attending physicians and/or physician assistants in conjunction with the healthcare team in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Students develop proficiency in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of orthopedic problems in the adult and pediatric populations. They have the opportunity to observe and "scrub in" to assist in orthopedic surgical cases, to reinforce knowledge of sterile technique and the proper use of surgical instruments, and to participate in preoperative and postoperative management of the orthopedic patient. Students attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while on the Orthopedic Surgery service. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 673.
  
Credits 5

PAC 683: Surgical Subspecialty

Course Description This elective rotation is available to students who have completed the General Surgery rotation. The rotation provides students with further in-depth training in a variety of surgical subspecialties, such as cardiothoracic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery. Students are assigned to work directly with surgeons and/or physician assistants in conjunction with the healthcare team. They have the opportunity to "scrub in" to assist in surgical cases, and develop proficiency in the surgical work-up, intra-operative intervention and post-operative management of patients. They also follow patients in the critical care setting and on the floors. Students are required to attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while on the service. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. . Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 673.
  
Credits 5

PAC 684: Medical Subspecialty

Course Description This elective rotation is available to students who have completed the required Internal Medicine rotation. The rotation provides students the opportunity to concentrate on learning the work-up, diagnosis and medical management of patients with cardiac, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary diseases. Students work directly with attending physicians and/or physician assistants in conjunction with the health care team. Students attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while on the service. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 674.
  
Credits 5

PAC 685: Critical Care Management

Course Description This elective clinical learning experience is available to students who have completed the General Surgery rotation, and takes place in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Students are assigned to work directly with attending physicians and/or physician assistants in conjunction with the healthcare team in the Surgical ICU, where they develop proficiency in the management of critically ill surgical patients. Students become familiar with the placement, maintenance, monitoring and removal of central venous lines, Swan-Ganz catheters, chest tubes and arterial lines. Fluid and electrolyte management, the management of ventilator patients, the interpretation of arterial blood gas measurements, and the pharmacological agents utilized in the care of the critically ill, are also practiced. Students attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while assigned to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 673.
  
Credits 5

PAC 686: Forensic Medicine

Course Description This elective rotation provides students with a clinical experience in which there is an interface between medicine and the law, especially regarding patient deaths, some of which will fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. This rotation provides students with the opportunity to observe and perform the tasks associated with PA's who work as Forensic (medico-legal) Investigators. Working with Forensic Pathologists, students are exposed to and participate in the forensic autopsy, and also spend time in the forensic serology and toxicology labs. They are introduced to forensic anthropology, forensic odontology and forensic photography. Through this rotation, students become familiar with the modern medical examiner system, the role of the Medical Examiner, and his/her relation to the criminal justice system. Students also learn the interpersonal skills necessary in dealing with families who are coping with sudden and unexpected death, public health and safety issues, and medicolegal issues. Students attend daily case review, scheduled lectures, and conferences while on the Forensic Medicine rotation. Students may be required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case or take a comprehensive exam.
  
Prerequisites PAC 674.
  
Credits 5

PAC 687: Cardiology

Course Description This elective rotation is available to students who have successfully completed the required Internal Medicine or Primary Care rotation. The rotation provides students the opportunity to learn the pathology, work-up, diagnosis and medical management of patients with cardiac diseases. Students work directly with board-certified attending physicians and physician assistants in conjunction with the health care team. Students may attend rounds, grand rounds, scheduled lectures and conferences while on the service. Students are expected to analyze and synthesize medical information, to reason independently, and to apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to complex patient presentations. Students are required to write a clinical research paper on a relevant topic or case.
  
Prerequisites PAC 670 or PAC 674
  
Credits 5