PAS-521: Surgery Clinical Course

This is a required 6-week clinical practice experience for second-year PA students, which focuses on the role of the physician assistant student in varied surgical patient care responsibilities under the supervision of a clinical site preceptor or their designee(s). During the didactic year, medical knowledge and clinical skills gained will be applied to develop clinical reasoning through evidence-based approaches to evaluate and manage surgical patients. As members of the surgical team, students participate in preoperative management, obtain accurate medical histories, carry out physical examinations, provide patient education, and perform procedures necessary to prepare students for surgery. There is an emphasis on general surgery, though students may have exposure to other surgical specialties and subspecialties. PA students will also work to incorporate a collaborative patient-centered, humanistic approach to the care of surgical patients, which includes education and counseling. PA students will assist in the operating room and have an opportunity to become familiar with operating room procedures and equipment. Students will also be involved in patients' postoperative evaluation, management, and coordinating discharge planning. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Didactic Year in PA program. [ 6 credits ]