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Since I finish PA school this week, I’ve been reflecting on how being on large academic medical campus has been a great experience.
I have been on rotations with so many wonderful med students I got to collaborate with and learn from.
(1/11)
I have been on rotations with so many wonderful med students I got to collaborate with and learn from.
(1/11)
But I also got to spend a lot of time teaching them about PA education—even in a place with many APPs present on teams.
So, I figured now is a good time to share the path to becoming a PA with those who may not be aware of the rigor it entails:
(2/11)
So, I figured now is a good time to share the path to becoming a PA with those who may not be aware of the rigor it entails:
(2/11)
General prerequisites:
Chemistry/Orgo sequence
A&P
Biology sequence
Genetics
Biochem
Med Terms
Patient care experience:
usually min. 500 hours, with some requiring up to 2000.
This can be in a variety of ways: CNA, MA, RN, EMT, surgical tech, scribe, etc.
(3/11)
Chemistry/Orgo sequence
A&P
Biology sequence
Genetics
Biochem
Med Terms
Patient care experience:
usually min. 500 hours, with some requiring up to 2000.
This can be in a variety of ways: CNA, MA, RN, EMT, surgical tech, scribe, etc.
(3/11)
They are, on average, 26 consecutive months with 4-5 semesters of didactic.
While programs vary slightly in course structure, we have an accrediting body (ARC-PA) that sets standards for education.
Specific data on this can be found at https://paeaonline.org/research/program-report/
(4/11)
While programs vary slightly in course structure, we have an accrediting body (ARC-PA) that sets standards for education.
Specific data on this can be found at https://paeaonline.org/research/program-report/
(4/11)
For example, here is my program’s layout—
Semester 1:
Anatomy + Lab
Pathophysiology 1
Intro to PA profession
Medical Terminology
Health Promotion & Disease prevention
US Healthcare Systems and Policies
Intro to Evidence based medicine
(5/11)
Semester 1:
Anatomy + Lab
Pathophysiology 1
Intro to PA profession
Medical Terminology
Health Promotion & Disease prevention
US Healthcare Systems and Policies
Intro to Evidence based medicine
(5/11)
Semester 2:
Pathophysiology 2
Clinical Medicine 1 (This includes: derm, ID, radiology, hem/onc, genetics)
Patient evaluation 1
Pharmacology
(6/11)
Pathophysiology 2
Clinical Medicine 1 (This includes: derm, ID, radiology, hem/onc, genetics)
Patient evaluation 1
Pharmacology
(6/11)
Semester 3:
Clinical Medicine 2 (EKG, GI, ENT, Nephro, Cards, Rheum, Pulm, Neuro, Endo)
Patient evaluation II
Clinical Skills lab
(7/11)
Clinical Medicine 2 (EKG, GI, ENT, Nephro, Cards, Rheum, Pulm, Neuro, Endo)
Patient evaluation II
Clinical Skills lab
(7/11)
Semester 4:
Clinical Medicine 3 (EM, Peds, Ortho, OB/Gyn, Geriatrics, Surgery, IM, Ophtho)
Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Therapeutics
All must be a >73% to move on to clinicals
(8/11)
Clinical Medicine 3 (EM, Peds, Ortho, OB/Gyn, Geriatrics, Surgery, IM, Ophtho)
Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Therapeutics
All must be a >73% to move on to clinicals
(8/11)
Then another 4-5 semesters of clinical rotations with a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours.
Required rotations are: Family medicine, Internal medicine, OB/Gyn, Peds, General surgery, EM, and psychiatry. All have a board exam after.
Some programs even have 1-3 electives.
(9/11)
Required rotations are: Family medicine, Internal medicine, OB/Gyn, Peds, General surgery, EM, and psychiatry. All have a board exam after.
Some programs even have 1-3 electives.
(9/11)
Total credit hours competed: 111
After completion, we take a board exam called the PANCE. It is 300 questions and 5 hours long.
And now post-graduate fellowships/residency are an option for specialized training as well!
(10/11)
After completion, we take a board exam called the PANCE. It is 300 questions and 5 hours long.
And now post-graduate fellowships/residency are an option for specialized training as well!
(10/11)
Yes, our education is condensed, but it is still comprehensive and rigorous.
We are not in school for 4 years because we are NOT docs—that does not make our education less valuable.
I hope understanding this process can improve perception and collaboration with PAs
(11/11)
We are not in school for 4 years because we are NOT docs—that does not make our education less valuable.
I hope understanding this process can improve perception and collaboration with PAs
(11/11)
