PATIENT EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS ONE

Catalog description

This is the first of a three course series designed to instruct the physician assistant student to effectively evaluate patients. This course will focus on basic interviewing techniques and physical examination skills related to the general survey, vital signs and skin examination. Students will learn the components of a medical interview and how to obtain a full history from patients in a variety of settings and situations. Development of effective patient-centered communications skills will be stressed; strategies for communicating with diverse populations (hearing or visually impaired, patients with disabilities, non-English speaking patients, cultural norms and religious requirements, etc.) will be explored. Lecture with small group laboratory instruction and practice will be utilized as well as encounters with volunteer and clinical patients. Documentation of the patient encounter and oral presentation of patient information will be practiced.