Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take PA-523. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 4; Max:
Description: This course provides foundational knowledge, introduces practical skills, and develops professional attitudes and behaviors relevant to the clinical assessment of a patient which the student first encountered in PA 523. Students are instructed in physical examination as well as the application of evidence-based history taking and documentation. Instruction in the art of assessment is complemented by topics in evidence-based medicine and clinical problem solving. The course emphasizes the integration of physical examination and medical history taking with basic and other clinical sciences. Students must synthesize knowledge to demonstrate a rationale for selection of maneuvers and interpretation of findings. The course will also incorporate common diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and palliative procedures consistent with the practice of medicine by a physician assistant. PA 633 is the second course in the 523, 633, 643 sequence, all of which cover advancing concepts with different organ systems. PA 633, along with PA 631 and 635, covers pulmonology, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary organ systems. Aspects of psychiatry will also be covered.