PAS 5333 - Diversity and Population Health

CIP Code: 510912
Description: Students engage in critical thinking regarding ethical, cultural, and social issues concerning health, medical practice, access to health care and public policy. By considering the impact of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities, students will become better prepared to provide care to patients from diverse populations. Students are introduced to concepts of public health related to the role of the practicing physician assistant, including instruction in the public health system and the role of health care providers in disease prevention, surveillance, reporting, and intervention to maintain population health. Students examine issues of caring for underserved populations with cultural sensitivity while developing cultural competency to treat patients from diverse populations with an emphasis on American Indian health care. Students practice and improve professional communication, basic counseling, and patient education skills that are patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and focused on helping patients cope with illness, injury, and stress, adhere to prescribed treatment plans, and modify their behaviors to a more healthful pattern.

Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Acceptance into the Physician Assistant Studies program.