Mailing Address

Yale Physician Associate Program
Yale School of Medicine
P.O. Box 208083
New Haven, CT 06520-8083
203.785.2860 (phone)
203.785.3601 (fax)

Physical Address

Physician Associate Program
Yale University School of Medicine
Edward S. Harkness Memorial Hall
367 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Didactic Phase

The following courses comprise the didactic phase of the Yale Physician Associate Program. They are designed to build the foundation in basic and clinical sciences which underlies the study of medicine and PA practice.

Introduction to Research provides an overview of important statistical principles and methods and their application to problems in medicine and health. The course introduces students to research design and scientific inquiry and provides them with the skills necessary for interpretation and critical evaluation of the medical literature.

Clinical Practicum (CP) provides the PA student with an introduction to the clinical milieu and contact with patients at Yale-New Haven Hospital during the second half of the didactic phase. Using the skills learned in the Physical Examination course, students examine patients and perform histories and physical examinations. Students meet in small groups with preceptors to discuss findings and appropriate charting as well as to practice patient presentations.

Clinical Psychiatry provides an overview of common clinical problems in psychiatry and psychopathology. The course includes sessions on psychoneuroses, psychosomatic disorders, behavioral disorders, psychotherapy, and substance abuse.

Diagnostic Imaging presents principles of radiology and diagnostic imaging interpretation. Examination of normal radiographs is followed by examination and discussion of abnormalities caused by both trauma and disease.

Emergency Medicine and Trauma explores emergent and acute problems and their therapies as commonly treated in the Emergency Department.

Human Anatomy and Development is a course for PA students. Cadaver dissections are performed in small groups and lectures and labs cover the systematic and developmental anatomy of the human body. Imaging techniques are integrated throughout this course.
Visit the Anatomy Clinic web site.

Human Sexuality reviews sexual response cycles, special needs of the aged and physically and mentally disabled, sexual dysfunction, and homosexuality. Students explore their own attitudes in order to deal professionally and compassionately with patients regarding sexual issues.

Introduction to Surgical Skills teaches methods of sterile technique, basic surgical procedures and care of the surgical patient. Students practice suturing and other basic surgical skills as well.

Medical Ethics and Legal Issues helps students explore issues of medical practice. Students debate both sides of ethical issues such as patient confidentiality, patient rights, the role of PAs and other medical personnel, differing values between patients and PAs, and clinical experimentation/investigation.

Medicine and Surgery is the most extensive course in the curriculum and is organized into sixteen blocks covering areas such as Cardiology (including ECG interpretation), Nephrology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, and Pulmonary Medicine. Each block correlates with corresponding sections of Physiology and Pathology. This course is taught by Yale University School of Medicine.

Microbiology teaches students to identify the various pathogens responsible for human disease. Lectures include bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology.

PA Profession is a course which acquaints the student with the professional roles and responsibilities of physician assistants. Current issues and laws affecting PA practice and PA professional organizations are discussed.

Pathology explores the etiology of organic and systemic disease. Lectures corresponding to the medicine and surgery schedule are integrated throughout the didactic phase.

Pharmacology focuses on the principles of pharmacologic action, and the therapeutic indications for pharmaceutical preparations used in clinical medicine. Drug side effects and contraindications are discussed in detail.

Physical Examination teaches the basics of history taking and physical examination skills and techniques. In addition, the pelvic, male genitalia, and rectal exams are taught in special sessions by gynecological and urological teaching assistants. This course precedes the clinical practicum course.

The Physiology course has seven components: cellular, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and neurophysiological. Each section precedes the relevant Medicine and Surgery block.

The Preventive Medicine curriculum focuses students on issues of screening, prophylaxis, and patient education. Risk factor assessment, counseling, immunization requirements, etc. are discussed.

Further information regarding courses may be found in the Yale School of Medicine catalogue.