A Journey of Discovery: SoTL in Physician Assistant Education

Abstract

Before I plunge right into the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning project that I developed in physician assistant (PA) education at my previous institution, I would first like to explain what physician assistants are and their role in health care in the United States. A physician assistant is a nationally board-certified medical provider who is licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a practicing physician. They are trained in the medical model much like a physician. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse rural and urban populations. They can elicit patient histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret labs and diagnostic tests, treat patients with acute illness and chronic disease, write hospital orders, write prescriptions, make referrals, provide patient education, perform specific clinical procedures, and assist with surgical procedures. PAs practice in every discipline of medicine and are employed in medical offices, hospitals, community health centers, surgical centers, hospice, home health care, correctional facilities, industrial work sites, armed forces, public and Indian health service, federal government, medical sales, research, education, and international medicine.Physician assistant education generally encompasses 25-30 months of educational training and culminates with a graduate-level professional degree. Generally, the first 12-15 months is didactic or classroom-based education and the last 15-18 months is clinical-based training in a combination of inpatient and outpatient medical facilities. The didactic phase begins with some basic science and basic medical courses involving pharmacology, anatomy, physiology; and then progresses to more advanced coursework including clinical medicine, diagnostic interpretation, emergency medicine, surgical medicine, and pharmacotherapy. The clinical phase of the program entails students working with practicing physicians and physician assistants in medical disciplines like family practice, internal medicine, NEW DIRECTIONS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING, no. 139, Fall 2014

Using art to illustrate medical empathy to physician assistants

“…A PA is a licensed clinician who practices medicine in every specialty and setting and performs many of the medical tasks that are traditionally associated only with physicians (American Academy of Physician Associates, 2023;Van Vught et al, 2015) . PAs can obtain patient histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic studies, diagnose and treat patients with acute and chronic illnesses, and prescribe medications (Kelly, 2014;Van Vught et al, 2015).…”

“…In collaboration with a physician, your PA can obtain and document your past and present medical history, perform a complete physical exam, request and interpret all diagnostic and therapeutic studies such as X-rays and labs, order treatments such as respiratory therapy, write any necessary prescriptions, and see you in follow-up if needed. PAs can also care for your urgent and emergent care needs both in the hospital and as an outpatient, plus manage your acute and chronic illnesses (Kelly, 2014;Van Vught et al, 2015).…”