PAS 525 : CRIT INQ, RESEARCH & EPIDEMIOLOGY

This course will introduce the physician assistant student to clinical problem solving by the application of the medical literature. Identifying, evaluating and applying medical evidence is essential to the professional development of a physician assistant. The use of data in making clinical decisions is a core skill for the practicing healthcare professional whether it be from expert opinion, text books, online aids or the medical literature. This course will also explore health issues from a population-based perspective and look at the role that epidemiology has on the care provided to individuals and populations. Students will apply the evidence-based medicine principles learned in the core part of the course to clinical problems at an epidemiologic level. Finally, the course will work on critical scientific writing as a means to synthesize the skills learned in assessing and applying the medical literature.