Student Manual Academic Year 2021-2022 Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Program office: (412) 365-1412 Program fax: (412) 365-2952 http://www.chatham.edu/mpas/ TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… 3 Vision and Mission Statements………………………………… 3 PBL Model………………………...………………………………. 3 Program Competencies………………………………………….…4 Certification………. ………..…………………………………….. 6 Accreditation……………………………………………………… 6 Faculty and Staff…………………………………………………………………… 7 Lexicon……………………..………………………………………………………… 9 Curriculum…………………………………………………………………………… 12 Introduction………………………………………………..…….. 12 Course Sequence………………………………………………. 13 Class Schedule. ………..…………………………………….. 14 Course Outcomes……………………………………………… 15 Course Competencies and Objectives……………………… 15 Outcomes Assessment……………………………………...... 15 Clinical Education Assessments……………………………… 16 Book List…………………………………………………………………………. 17 Policies and Procedures………………………………………………………… 20 General Policies………………………………………………... 20 Exam Policy…………………………………………………….. 20 Counseling Policy……………………………………………...… 21 Harassment Policy…………………………………………..…… 21 Hazardous Exposure Policy……………………………..……… 21 Immunization Policy………………………………………..…… 21 Bereavement Policy……………………………………………. 22 Safety Policy……………………………………………….…. 22 Drug Screening Policy………………………………….……… 22 Clinical Rotation Policies………………………..……............. 23 Tuition and Fees…………………………………………..…… 24 Laptop Requirements………………………………………….. 24 Academic Policies……………………………………………..… 25 Honor Code and Academic Integrity Policy…………………… 27 Professionalism……………………………………………….… 27 Social Media Policy…………………………………………….. 33 E-mail Policy……………………………………………………. 33 Student Progress Advisory Committee……………………..… 34 Additional Information.………………………………………………………………… 3 7 PA Organizations………………………………………………………………………. 39 Common Disease and Illness………………………………………………………… 41 2 INTRODUCTION Chatham University is home to almost 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Chatham’s Shadyside Campus includes the historic, 39-acre Woodland Road arboretum campus, the Eastside campus at Fifth and Penn Avenues, and the Eden Hall Farm Campus is located on 388-acres in Richland Township and houses the School of Sustainability. The University is a private, selective, fully accredited, nonsectarian institution consisting of four distinct Colleges: School of Arts, Science and Business - offering baccalaureate and master’s degrees School of Health Sciences - offering baccalaureate degrees leading to health science careers Falk School of Sustainability – offering baccalaureate and master’s degrees in sustainability and food studies College for Continuing and Professional Studies - offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education online The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000; and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program (MPAS) at Chatham University provides academic and clinical training that will prepare its graduates to be certified and licensed to practice collaboratively with physicians, especially the primary care physician, in a competent, ethical, and reliable manner. Vision & Mission Statements Vision To strive for excellence in physician assistant education whose graduates are known as outstanding clinicians in the community and leaders in the profession trained by faculty who are recognized for developing and researching innovative curricular methods. Mission The Chatham University MPAS Program is dedicated to producing knowledgeable, compassionate, ethical, and clinically skillful graduates who are ready to provide health care services to all persons without exclusion and who are willing to become the future leaders and educators of the profession. This will be accomplished by: • Recruiting and retaining outstanding PA students from diverse backgrounds and educating them to practice as primary care providers to serve those in the communities they live and work; • Providing a student-centered curriculum which promotes self-directed and lifelong learning through the use of evidence-based medicine; • Promoting professionalism and service to the community; • Contributing to the advancement of knowledge in medicine and physician assistant education; • Encouraging students to serve local, national, and international communities through active involvement in service-oriented programs for medically underserved populations; • Involving students in interprofessional activities and encouraging the development of team skills and an appreciation of team-based, patient-centered care; • Promoting participation in professional organizations and the education of future PAs; • Supporting sustainability through health promotion, disease prevention, health literacy, cultural competency, and reduction of printed materials in and out of the classroom. PBL Model Chatham University utilizes hybrid model of Problem-Based Learning, lecture, and on-line activity that challenges students to be self-directed and prepares students for the evidence-based, problem-oriented world of clinical medicine. Through actual patient cases, students develop learning issues, research topics using the most up-to-date resources, work in teams and receive feedback on knowledge base as well as professionalism to prepare them for primary care, problem-focused clinical practice. 3 Program Competencies The program has adopted the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession, created by our professional organizations, as the Program’s Core Competencies or Goals. These competencies define the expected minimal and specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of physician assistants in order to practice. Medical Knowledge Medical knowledge includes an understanding of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion, and disease prevention. Physician assistants must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations. Upon graduation our students are expected to: 1. Understand etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic process, and epidemiology for medical conditions. 2. Identify signs and symptoms of medical conditions. 3. Select and interpret appropriate diagnostic or lab studies used in primary care. 4. Manage general medical and surgical conditions to include understanding the indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions and adverse reactions of pharmacologic agents and other relevant treatment modalities. 5. Identify the appropriate site of care for presenting conditions, including identifying emergent cases and those requiring referral or admission. 6. Identify appropriate interventions for prevention of conditions. 7. Identify the appropriate methods to detect conditions in an asymptomatic individual. 8. Differentiate between the normal and the abnormal in anatomic, physiological, laboratory findings and other diagnostic data. 9. Appropriately use history and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate a differential diagnosis. 10. Provide appropriate care to patients with chronic conditions. Interpersonal and Communication Skills Interpersonal and communication skills encompass verbal, nonverbal, and written exchange of information. Physician assistants must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and the health care system. Upon graduation our students are expected to: 1. Create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients. 2. Use effective listening, nonverbal, explanatory, questioning, and writing skills to elicit and provide information. 3. Appropriately adapt communication style and messages to the context of the individual patient interaction. 4. Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group. 5. Apply an understanding of human behavior. 6. Demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety. 7. Accurately and adequately document and record information regarding the care process for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes. Patient Care Patient care includes age-appropriate assessment, evaluation and management. Physician assistants must demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness. Upon graduation our students are expected to: 1. Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide patient-centered care. 2. Demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families. 4 3. Gather essential and accurate information about their patients. 4. Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment. 5. Develop and carry out patient management plans. 6. Counsel and educate patients and their families. 7. Competently perform medical and surgical procedures considered essential in the area of