Curriculum

This course introduces the student to key principles of evidence-based research and performance improvement. It will concentrate on scientific research and performance improvement in medical practice. Topics include research design, methodology, ethics and critical appraisal of the medical literature, with an emphasis on process improvement and quality performance to achieve patient-centered clinical outcomes. During this course, students will begin to develop the proposal of their scholarly project.

In this course, students are introduced to the framework of the scholarly project. This course concentrates on evidence-based research as it applies to the scholarly project. Topics include project development, the proposal process, revisions and submission of their scholarly project proposal. Students will work closely with their faculty advisor as they progress through this process. Approval of the project is accomplished prior to completion of this course. Emphasis of the scholarly project is on clinical practice, the PA profession, or PA education.

In this course, students delve into the process of inquiry and literature review. This course concentrates on the application of concepts and methods from previous courses. Topics include synthesis of research, application of knowledge and writing for future publication or presentation at professional conferences as the student develops and works on their scholarly project.

In this course, students focus on the final preparation and submission of the scholarly project. This course concentrates on finalizing the project for submission to the DMSc program. Topics include the requirements in content, research, format, and relevancy of the scholarly project, as well as preparing the project for submission for publication in a professional journal or presentation at a professional conference.

This course series will provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

The basic mission of the SIU SOM PA Program is to graduate PAs who will be competent primary care providers, able to serve populations in medically underserved areas. Students in the Clinical Practicum course will be asked to define educational milestones related to patient encounters that involve rural or underserved populations. These clinical objectives will encourage students to gain the unique perspective related to health care issues of this patient population. This course will be the first in the series, with the aim to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

This course will be the second session of the Advanced Clinical Practicum and will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

This course will be the third session of the Advanced Clinical Practicum and will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

This course will be the fourth session of the Advanced Clinical Practicum and will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

Learning Theories and Methodology

This is first in the longitudinal PA Education Practicum, which provides opportunities for development as a faculty member and/or clinical preceptor. Fellows will explore adult learning theories, such as problem-based learning (PBL), social cognitive theory, reflective practice and transformative learning to improve their institution’s student learning outcomes through the practicum experience. Because SIU is a PBL leader in medical education, emphasis will be placed on PBL methodology, facilitator techniques, learner-centered education and group dynamics. Fellows will also define professional goals and begin obtaining multi-source evaluations of their Practicum work.

Student Assessment Essentials

This course is the second of the PA Education Practicum and provides exposure in various student assessment techniques to apply in the practicum setting. These include formative and summative evaluations employing multiple modalities, such as standardized patient encounters, multiple choice exams, reflection, lab exams, demonstration and oral examinations. Fellows will apply concepts from medical and educational literature to improve student assessment at their institution during the practicum experience. Fellows will build on knowledge from the DMS 981 Practicum course and continue multi-source evaluations of their work.

Program Evaluation

This course is the third of the PA Education Practicum and provides intensive PA educational experience with regard to program evaluation concepts in the medical education setting. Models of program assessment to be studied include the objectives-oriented approach, management and/or participant approaches, and the utilization-focused approach to apply program evaluation concepts to the practicum setting. Fellows will review accreditation standards applicable to their practicum setting, and lead a portion of the institution’s continuous self-assessment process. Fellows will build on knowledge from the DMS 982 Practicum course and continue multi-source evaluations of their work.

Professional Development and Scholarship

This course is the fourth of the PA Education Practicum series and provides experience in professional development in the area of PA medical education. Fellows will develop their teaching philosophy, define and reflect on service activities, identify program and PA profession research needs, as well as their own areas of expertise and scholarly goals. At the completion of this course, Fellows will summarize their progress toward integrating learning theories and methods, student assessment, program evaluation, as well as their own development as academicians throughout the practicum experiences.