Observation
PA students must be able to use vision, hearing, and somatic senses to accurately observe a patient at a reasonable distance and close up, noting verbal as well as nonverbal patient communication. Students must be able to observe and actively participate in lectures, small group activities, demonstrations, and case-based learning. In circumstances where a candidate's ability to acquire information through observation is compromised, the student must demonstrate alternative means to acquire and demonstrate the essential information without reliance upon another person's interpretation of the information. Specifically, students must:
- Have the capability to use instruments commonly used in evaluation and diagnosis of disease (e.g., stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, otoscope, etc.).
- Visualize and discriminate findings on X-rays and other imaging studies and interpret digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena, such as EKGs.
- Acquire information from electronic media, written documents, films, slides, videos, or other media.
- Observe and differentiate changes in body movement
- Observe anatomic structures
- Efficiently read written and illustrated materials
- Observe and detect signs and symptoms of disease processes and observe subtle changes inherent in the progression of illness
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Possess visual acuity necessary to perform general and surgical procedures