Curriculum sequence

5110 Clinical Anatomy (6 credit hours): As an active learning dissection based course, instruction targets basic science concepts of anatomic structure and function in order to provide building blocks for clinical application within an authentic learning framework. The course emphasizes (1) application of clinically relevant human anatomy, in principle and practice, correlated as possible with concurrent pathophysiology and physical examination learning, and (2) team-based learning that facilitates development of non-traditional discipline independent skills reflective of the interprofessional and multidisciplinary health care team setting.

For an idea of your first experiences with anatomy, check out The First Patient: Death, Dissection, Discovery.

5120 Biology of Disease (3 credit hours): Pathologic mechanisms of disease are contrasted with normal physiological principles and correlated as possible with concurrent anatomy. Relationships between clinical manifestations of disease and their genetic, developmental, anatomical, autoimmune, pathological and environmental basis lead the learner to interpret the impact of diverse treatment regimens. Implications of illness management versus natural disease progression are compared, expanding into exploration of common disease states of neurology, allergy/immunology and introductory EENT patient care that continues in Adult & Pediatric Medicine I & II.

5130 History & Physical Exam (4 credit hours): Application of clinician-patient communication skills required for thorough medical histories and mastery of comprehensive, adult and pediatric physical exam techniques is exercised, including cultural respect and disability accommodation. Instruction is correlated when possible with concurrent anatomy and pathophysiology learning. Small group learning exercises lead to the mastery of obtaining and reporting an appropriate medical history and associated physical examination, emphasizing typical findings with selected normal variants and abnormal findings associated with illness. 

5140/5340 Health Systems Science I & II (2 & 1 credit hours): By constructing the PA professional role integrated with the science of health care delivery, learning engages population-based, socio-ecological determinants of health, policy and economics, leading to improved health care quality, safety and value by effective team-based methods.  Section I includes the history and role of the PA alongside societal (social, government, cultural and economic) influences on health. Section II addresses operative team-based care, leadership skills, and medical ethics.

5150/5250/5350 Clinical Integration I, II & III (1 credit hour each): Seminar and experiential learning activities develop the PA student’s ability to engage and interact within the patient care environment with decorum, composure, compassion and respect. The PA student is assigned a health professional mentor in clinical practice to provide limited clinical experiences and advising sessions to grow the student’s capacity to apply principles of patient care. Seminars provide opportunities for reflection, exploring aspects of professionalism, team-based care, health care delivery, and personal wellness. Three sections complete this series that coincides with the didactic PA curriculum.

5210 Clinical Pharmacology (3 credit hours): Comprehensive application of clinically relevant pharmacology in principle and practice, correlated as possible with adult & pediatric medicine learning. Core principles of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and transport, assessment of drug effects, pharmacogenomics, and drug discovery and development are emphasized. Problem-based learning activities with case studies provide direct application of principles to develop a basis for rational disease therapy and prevention.

5220/5320 Adult & Pediatric Medicine I & II (5 and 3 credit hours): Thorough, primary-care-focused adult and pediatric patient care is explored related to pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and patient management divided by organ systems and specialties. Section I builds on prior learning of Neurology, Allergy/Immunology & EENT from the Biology of Disease course, continuing with Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, OB/Gyn, Pulmonology, and Renal/Urology. Section II includes Dermatology, Emergency Medicine (Trauma), Geriatrics, Hematology/ Oncology, Orthopedics/Rheumatology, Pediatrics (special topics), General Surgery, and advanced topics in Internal Medicine (Cardiology, GI and Pulmonology).

5230/5330 Clinical Skills I & II (2 and 3 credit hours): Exercising critical thinking, clinical skills are demonstrated toward mastery. Common skills in primary care medicine are emphasized through real and simulated health care situations, building on the foundation of learned physical exam skills, applications appropriate to more complex patient presentations are developed. Instruction expands into specific procedural skills used in primary care, which includes advanced diagnostic strategies such as Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Section I includes suturing, skin biopsies, gynecologic procedures, and expands on system-based POCUS skills developed in earlier foundational courses.  Section II includes splinting/casting, injections, surgical techniques, airway management, and integrated POCUS evaluation of clinically decompensating patients.

5240 Diagnostic Procedures (2 credit hours): Interpretation skills of laboratory and imaging evaluations used in patient diagnosis and treatment are emphasized, including blood and urine tests, genetic screening, microbiology and pathology exams, imaging to include x-ray, CT/MRI, PET and diagnostic ultrasound. Development of rational and cost-effective utilization of diagnostic procedures is emphasized, with consideration of access to services, severity of illness, measures of predictive value, accurate interpretation of results and impact on patient outcomes.

5260 Clinical Inquiry (1 credit hour): The student builds on key aspects of clinical research to support improving patient and provider experiences. Skills in the appraisal of best practice outcomes are addressed. Common clinical research concepts and methodologies are explored related to evidence-based medicine. Students will achieve bronze and silver certifications from the Mayo Quality Academy and apply this knowledge to creating novel quality improvement (QI) projects, contributing to Mayo’s culture of quality.

5270 Communications in Medicine (2 credit hours): With a foundation of clear and compassionate communication skills required in patient care, learning also elaborates on documentation of health records, interdisciplinary and team-based communications, primary care counseling skills, and quality care expectations and safety. Nonverbal, verbal, listening, and writing skills of communication are integrated into clinical exercises related to best patient outcomes, with applications in higher levels of complexity such as in emergency settings, with difficult personalities, under distress, and across cultures. Communication tools of inquiry, compassion, acknowledgment, clarity, advocacy, accuracy and problem-solving are emphasized.

5310 Advanced Clinical Therapeutics (2 credit hours): Using problem-based learning strategies, chronic conditions with co-morbidities as well as acute catastrophic episodes of care are explored to distinguish effective, cost-efficient, ethical, evidence-based disease management. Drug-specific and patient-specific pharmaco-kinetic and -genomic parameters are explored, with consideration of broader population-based implications. Students integrate treatment considerations beyond medications, including behavioral change, preventive health practice and patient education.

5360 Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine (2 credit hours): Diagnosis and management of mental distress, psychosocial behaviors common to illness, and psychopathology in primary care medicine, fostering a biopsychosocial model of medicine and behavioral change strategies for healthier lifestyle practices. Concepts of normative behaviors are framed by influences of culture, environment, genetics and identity; patient care skills are described that support culturally-informed care. Psychiatric disorders in primary care are emphasized related to diagnosis, treatment and referral.

Clinical rotations

Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the various clinical disciplines of medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

During the months of October, January, April, and July, please expect two-day required meetings for clinical rotation assessment, reflection, and workshops on employment strategies, patient-centered care, advanced clinical updates, PANCE preparation, and successful workforce deployment.

Please note: Order of clinical rotations will vary according to student needs, availability of preceptors, and effective sequence of learning.

Common electives include: Dermatology, Endocrinology, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, among many others.

Rotation descriptions

Each rotation is 4 credit hours.

6000/6100 Family Medicine I & II: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of family medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. Two sections of family medicine are required to appreciate the breadth and depth of primary care.

6200 Cardiology: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of cardiology under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6300 Emergency Medicine: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of emergency medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6400 Internal Medicine: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of internal medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6500 Pediatrics: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of pediatrics under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6600 Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of psychiatry/behavioral medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6700 Obstetrics/Gynecology: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of obstetrics/gynecology under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6800 General Surgery: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to the clinical practice of general surgery under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

6910/6920/6930 Clinical Elective I, II & III: Clinical competency is achieved through opportunities to practice and master clinical decision-making in patient care related to clinical practice in a student-selected elective area of medicine under the guidance and direction of a clinical preceptor. Learning opportunities involve the six areas of professional competencies of the PA: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. The elective may range from an additional experience in core rotation areas to other specialties and subspecialties of medicine and surgery. Three separate sections of electives are required to appreciate the breadth and depth of medical care.