PA Curriculum

Didactic Phase

The Didactic Phase is the preclinical year spanning the first 12 months of the program at our NGU Tim Brashier campus in Greer. Critical thinking skills are emphasized through problem-based learning (PBL) to build a foundation of medical knowledge.  Students will prepare for the Clinical Phase through hands-on experience in the programs’ Clinical Skills and Simulation Lab.  Didactic Phase courses include:

• Spring I Didactic

  The series of progressive and synergistic courses cover (1) Hematology/Oncology, (2) Infectious Disease, (3) ENT Medicine, (4) Neurology, (5) Psychiatry, and (6) Musculoskeletal diseases. 

   

  DPAM5201 (2 SH) Principles of PA Practice I

  Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a five-part series designed provide awareness and appreciation of the contexts surrounding, intersecting, and supporting medical practice as a Physician Assistant.  Topics covered will include communication skills, providing care to special populations, understanding the social determinants of health, promotion of preventative healthcare across the lifespan, palliative and end-of-life care, preparation for working in interprofessional teams, providing culturally sensitive patient education and counseling, interpretation and evaluation of medical literature and its application to clinical practice, the business of healthcare, healthcare policy, concepts of public health, the history of the PA profession, medical ethics, professionalism, and provider personal wellness. AM5211        (2 SH) Basic Medical Sciences I

  Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program. This course is designed to cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistics, research methods, and ethical standards in research. Emphasis is developing the skills needed to validate medical literature used in answering clinical questions and patient treatment.

  DPAM5211 (2 SH) Basic Medical Science I

  Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series devoted to the study of human anatomy, pathology, and pathophysiology.  The course will cover topography, internal structures, and functions with correlations to body systems being covered in the medical practice courses.

  DPAM5321 (3 SH) Medical Practice I 

  Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.  

  DPAM5131 (1 SH) Emergency and Surgical Medicine I

  Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series.  The emergent and surgical care of diagnoses discussed in Medical Practice and Pediatrics will be taught here. 

  DPAM5241 (2 SH) Pediatric Medicine I

  Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.

  DPAM5151 (1.5 SH) Physical Diagnosis I

  Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series. Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education), and how to the document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed.

  DPAM5161 (1.5 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures I

  Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series. This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the course will address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management.

  DPAM5271 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles I

  Prerequisite: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications. This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug interactions, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery.  In addition, this course promotes a link between microbiology, disease processes and medication use.

  DPAM5281 (2 SH) Problem Based Learning I

  Prerequisites: Admission into the DPAM program.  This is the first course in a three-part series that will guide students in development of effective clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills via small group discussions around a clinical scenario.  The course runs concurrently with and helps integrate the application of skills learned in the other series courses this term, including interpersonal and communication skills that lead to effective verbal and written collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

• Summer I Didactic

  The series of progressive and synergistic courses cover (1) Cardiovascular, (2) Pulmonary, and (3) Dermatologic diseases. 

  DPAM5203 (2 SH) Principles of PA Practice II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5201.  This is the second course in a five-part series designed provide awareness and appreciation of the contexts surrounding, intersecting, and supporting medical practice as a Physician Assistant.  Topics covered will include communication skills, providing care to special populations, understanding the social determinants of health, promotion of preventative healthcare across the lifespan, palliative and end-of-life care, preparation for working in interprofessional teams, providing culturally sensitive patient education and counseling, interpretation and evaluation of medical literature and its application to clinical practice, the business of healthcare, healthcare policy, concepts of public health, the history of the PA profession, medical ethics, professionalism, and provider personal wellness. 

  DPAM5213 (2 SH) Basic Medical Sciences II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5211.  This is the second course in a three-part series devoted to the study of human anatomy, pathology, and pathophysiology.  The course will cover topography, internal structures, and functions with correlations to body systems being covered in the medical practice courses.

  DPAM5323 (3 SH) Medical Practice II 

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5321.  This is the second course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. 

  DPAM5133 (1 SH) Emergency and Surgical Medicine II

  Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include 5131.  This is the second course in a three-part series. The emergent and surgical care of diagnoses discussed in Medical Practice and Pediatrics will be taught here. 

  DPAM5243 (2 SH) Pediatric Medicine II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5241.  This is the second course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.

  DPAM5153 (1.5 SH) Physical Diagnosis II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5151. This is the second course in a three-part series.  Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education), and how to the document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed.

  DPAM5163 (1.5 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include 5161.  This is the second course in a three-part series.  This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated necessary for diagnosis and treatment.  In addition, the course will address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management.

  DPAM5273 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles II

  Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work to include DPAM5271. This is the second course in a three-part series which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications. This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug interactions, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery.  In addition, this course promotes a link between microbiology, disease processes and medication use. 

  DPAM5283 (2 SH) Problem Based Learning II

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5281.  This is the second course in a three-part series that will guide students in development of effective clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills via small group discussions around a clinical scenario.  The course runs concurrently with and helps integrate the application of skills learned in the other series courses this term, including interpersonal and communication skills that lead to effective verbal and written collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

• Fall I Didactic

  The series of progressive and synergistic courses cover (1) Gastrointestinal, (2) Endocrine, (3) Reproductive, (4) Genitourinary, and (5) Renal diseases. 

  DPAM5205 (2 SH) Principles of PA Practice III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5203.  This is the third course in a five-part series designed provide awareness and appreciation of the contexts surrounding, intersecting, and supporting medical practice as a Physician Assistant.  Topics covered will include communication skills, providing care to special populations, understanding the social determinants of health, promotion of preventative healthcare across the lifespan, palliative and end-of-life care, preparation for working in interprofessional teams, providing culturally sensitive patient education and counseling, interpretation and evaluation of medical literature and its application to clinical practice, the business of healthcare, healthcare policy, concepts of public health, the history of the PA profession, medical ethics, professionalism, and provider personal wellness. 

  DPAM5215 (2 SH) Basic Medical Sciences III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5222. This is the third course in a three-part series devoted to pathology and pathophysiology.

  DPAM5325 (3 SH) Medical Practice III 

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5323.  This is the third course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.

  DPAM5135 (1 SH) Emergency and Surgical Medicine III

  Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include 5133.  This is the third course in a three-part series.  The emergent and surgical care of diagnoses discussed in Medical Practice and Pediatrics will be taught here. 

  DPAM5245 (2 SH) Pediatric Medicine III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5243.  This is the third course in a three-part series which focuses on human diseases and disorders in the areas of clinical medicine. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to pediatric practice, development of a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.

  DPAM5155 (1.5 SH) Physical Diagnosis III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5153. This is the third course in a three-part series.  Emphasis is placed on appropriate history taking, physical examination techniques, patient counseling (to include education), and how to the document an encounter. In addition, verbal and written communication, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism are developed.

  DPAM5165 (1.5 SH) Clinical Methods and Procedures III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5163.  This is the third course in a three-part series.  This course will utilize a problem list or differential diagnosis to identify and perform diagnostic procedures, laboratory studies, and minor surgical techniques that are indicated necessary for diagnosis and treatment.  In addition, the course will address patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors, and risk management.

  DPAM5275 (2 SH) Pharmacotherapy Principles III

  Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work to include DPAM5273. This is the third course in a three-part series which provides the link between pharmacology, clinical practice, and prescribing medications.  This course sequence will present the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug interactions, complications, dosages, and contraindications of medication delivery. In addition, this course promotes a link between microbiology, disease processes and medication use. 

  DPAM5285 (2 SH) Problem Based Learning III

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior DPAM course work to include DPAM5283.  This is the third course in a three-part series that will guide students in development of effective clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills via small group discussions around a clinical scenario.  The course runs concurrently with and helps integrate the application of skills learned in the other series courses this term, including interpersonal and communication skills that lead to effective verbal and written collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

  Transition to Clerkships

  Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior semester of PA course work.  The purpose of this required week is to: (1) provide the student with a time of self-assessment, (2) evaluate the students’ knowledge, skills, and attitude, (3) identify the student’s level of preparedness for clinical rotations, and (4) promote interprofessional relationships.  Formative evaluation of student preparedness using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) testing, clinical skills assessments, and a written examination will occur during this time.  Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) expectations and behavior will be discussed.