Physician Assistant Program
General Information
Northwestern University is proud to introduce the new Physician Assistant (PA) program. The PA program is a graduate level program awarding a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree. The program starts each June beginning in 2010.
This 24-month program features an innovative didactic curriculum that utilizes lecture, small group discussion, clinical experiences, team-based learning and problem-based learning. The clinical year consists of seven required rotations and a vast number of possible electives. Clinical sites are located throughout the Chicago area.
Program Information
Full-time 24-month program located in the center of downtown Chicago
108 credits must be successfully completed in order to graduate
Candidates who have a baccalaureate degree and have successfully completed all the prerequisite courses and admission requirements will be considered for possible admission to the program
Program Costs
For a complete cost-of-attendance estimate and financial aid information, click here.
Health Insurance
All PA students are required to have health insurance throughout their 2-years of the program. Students are to complete the Coverage Selection Form to either elect or decline the insurance that Northwestern University offers. Proof of University or other health insurance coverage must be provided to the PA program. See the Health Services-Chicago website for more information.
Health Requirements for Admitted Students
All PA students at Northwestern are required to meet entrance health requirements. Please review the "Admitted Students" page under the "Admissions and Financial Aid" section for more detailed information.
PA Competencies
The National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) have combined efforts to produce Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. This document was adopted as policy by the May 2005 House of Delegates of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and serves as a map for the individual PA, the physician-PA team, and organizations that are committed to promoting the development and maintenance of the professional competencies among physician assistants.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT COMPETENCIES (Vers. 3.5 (3/22/05))
The PA profession defines the specific knowledge, skills, and attitude required and provides educational experiences as needed in order for physician assistants to acquire and demonstrate these competencies.
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE
Medical knowledge includes an understanding of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion and disease prevention. Physician assistants must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. In addition, physician assistants are expected to demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations. Physician assistants are expected to:
Understand etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic process, and epidemiology for medical conditions
Identify signs and symptoms of medical conditions
Select and interpret appropriate diagnostic or lab studies
Manage general medical and surgical conditions to include understanding the indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions and adverse reactions of pharmacologic agents and other relevant treatment modalities
Identify the appropriate site of care for presenting conditions, including identifying emergent cases and those requiring referral or admission
Identify appropriate interventions for prevention of conditions
Identify the appropriate methods to detect conditions in an asymptomatic individual
Differentiate between the normal and the abnormal in anatomic, physiological, laboratory findings and other diagnostic data
Appropriately use history and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate a differential diagnosis
Provide appropriate care to patients with chronic conditions
INTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Interpersonal and communication skills encompass verbal, nonverbal and written exchange of information. Physician assistants must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and the health care system. Physician assistants are expected to:
Create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients
Use effective listening, nonverbal, explanatory, questioning, and writing skills to elicit and provide information
Appropriately adapt communication style and messages to the context of the individual patient interaction
Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group
Apply an understanding of human behavior
Demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety
Accurately and adequately document and record information regarding the care process for medical, legal, quality and financial purposes
PATIENT CARE
Patient care includes age-appropriate assessment, evaluation and management. Physician assistants must demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness. Physician assistants are expected to:
Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide patient-centered care
Demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families
Gather essential and accurate information about their patients
Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
Develop and carry out patient management plans
Counsel and educate patients and their families
Competently perform medical and surgical procedures considered essential in the area of practice
Provide health care services and education aimed at preventing health problems or maintaining health
PROFESSIONALISM
Professionalism is the expression of positive values and ideals as care is delivered. Foremost, it involves prioritizing the interests of those being served above one’s own. Physician assistants must know their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate:
Understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the appropriate role of the physician assistant
Professional relationships with physician supervisors and other health care providers respect, compassion, and integrity
Responsiveness to the needs of patients and society
Accountability to patients, society, and the profession
Commitment to excellence and on-going professional development
Commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practices
Sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, and disabilities
Self-reflection, critical curiosity and initiative
PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT
Practice-based learning and improvement includes the processes through which clinicians engage in critical analysis of their own practice experience, medical literature and other information resources for the purpose of self-improvement. Physician assistants must be able to assess, evaluate and improve their patient care practices. Physician assistants are expected to:
Analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using a systematic methodology in concert with other members of the health care delivery team
Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems
Obtain and apply information about their own population of patients and the larger population from which their patients are drawn
Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness
Apply information technology to manage information, access on-line medical information, and support their own education
Facilitate the learning of students and/or other health care professionals
Recognize and appropriately address gender, cultural, cognitive, emotional and other biases; gaps in medical knowledge; and physical limitations in themselves and others
SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE
Systems-based practice encompasses the societal, organizational and economic environments in which health care is delivered. Physician assistants must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value. PAs should work to improve the larger health care system of which their practices are a part. Physician assistants are expected to:
Use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education
Effectively interact with different types of medical practice and delivery systems
Understand the funding sources and payment systems that provide coverage for patient care
Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care
Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities
Partner with supervising physicians, health care managers and other health care providers to assess, coordinate, and improve the delivery of health care and patient outcomes
Accept responsibility for promoting a safe environment for patient care and recognizing and correcting systems-based factors that negatively impact patient care
Apply medical information and clinical data systems to provide more effective,
Efficient patient care
Use the systems responsible for the appropriate payment of services
Graduate Tasks
Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, to accomplish, competently and proficiently, the following functions and tasks:
Approach patients of various age groups and various settings, and elicit a problem-focused or comprehensive history and perform a problem-focused or comprehensive physical examination.
Accurately interpret the responses or results obtained from the patient.
Document and present, in a written or oral form, the history and physical examination in an understandable, well-organized, and concise way.
Accurately interpret and report laboratory and diagnostic tests.
Will know indications, contraindications, side effects, and interactions for common pharmaceuticals used the treatment of patients.
Provide patient counseling and education regarding diagnoses, treatment options, and preventive health measures.
Provide assistance in the delivery of services to patients requiring continuing care in such facilities as home, nursing home, and extended care facilities.
Treat minor emergencies and provide evaluative and treatment procedures necessary to provide an appropriate response to life-threatening emergency situations.
Possess the personal skills necessary to practice cultural competency in clinical practice.
Research and interpret the current medical literature and apply results to the care of patients.
Work cooperatively with other professionals as a member of a team; utilize the expertise of other professionals and experts as appropriate.
Treat the patient as a person; recognize that legal, ethical, religious, and conflict of values issues may affect the patient’s management.
Demonstrate personal integrity, honesty, and self-discipline; and behave in a responsible, reliable, and dependable manner.
Correctly perform, knowledgeable of indications and contraindications for the following clinical procedures required in a primary care practice setting: universal precautions; venipuncture; intravenous catheterization; injections-IM, ID, and SQ; airway management; urinary catheterization; nasogastric intubation; splinting and casting; suture placement and removal; arthrocentesis; shave and punch biopsy; foreign body removal-eye, ear, and nose.
Knowledgeable of the indications and contraindications for the following clincial procedures: arterial puncture, central line placement, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, chest tube placement, paracentesis, joint injections.
