Special emphasis is placed on communication skills and relating sensitively to both children and parents. The student gains familiarity with normal growth and development, pediatric preventive medicine and evaluation and management of common childhood illnesses. This rotation emphasizes the outpatient evaluation and treatment of conditions common at the primary care level and the appropriate health maintenance measures for different age groups. Many of the training sites provide care for underserved populations in rural North Carolina communities. This rotation encourages the growth of communication and behavioral modification skills which will be useful in the primary care setting.
Emphasis is placed on the psychosocial aspects of common medical problems.
In addition to successful completion of the preclinical and clinical phases of the program, the PA student must also complete a master s research project. Four weeks will be allotted within the clinical training period for the student to complete a literature review, then develop and defend an individually crafted research proposal. At the end of the clinical year, students are required to complete a four- week final preceptorship of their choosing which may serve as a bridge to employment . A full spectrum of potential elective rotations are available in medical, surgical and pediatric specialties. Students choose two electives, each four weeks in length, in areas of vocational interest.