This is a comprehensive course that covers all major systems of the human body. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical application of this knowledge to patient management. It is designed specifically for PA students as they prepare for courses in pathophysiology and clinical medicine. This multifaceted course spans the entire professional curriculum. The tools, techniques, procedures and skills of the diagnostic physical examination are presented in a systems approach as they relate to the systematic performance and documentation of complete and problem focused physical examinations.
Medical terminology is integrated with each system.
The various components of the medical history are presented along with techniques for effective medical interviewing. Students apply these skills while obtaining histories from selected patients. Guidance is provided with respect to communicating with patients of all cultural backgrounds, ages and personalities. This course focuses on how to record a complete medical history and physical exam in the appropriate format using the problem oriented medical record system. Students learn to integrate history and physical exam data as they perform histories and physicals on selected patients and then document their findings in the complete write up.