Barry University's new Center for Community Health and Minority Medicine Building.

Barry University's Health Education Center OP Building.

Program Overview

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Physician Assistant Program is to prepare well-trained health care providers who will extend and complement the capabilities of physicians in primary health care delivery. This purpose is accomplished in a responsive academic and clinical environment conducive to the pursuit of excellence in graduate medical science education, research and community service.

Program Objectives

To accomplish its purpose, and in keeping with the mission of Barry University, the Physician Assistant Program has established the following objectives for graduates:

• graduates will have a competent foundation and broad knowledge of basic medical science
• graduates will be able to obtain an accurate patient database, integrate the information elicited, formulate treatment plans for common problems, and communicate effectively with patients, supervising physicians and other health care providers
• graduates will have a sufficient knowledge of research design and statistics to be able to read, interpret, and comprehend the medical literature
• graduates will have an understanding of the legal limitations of practice, the separate and common roles of medical, nursing, and other members of the health care delivery community, and community factors that have an impact on the local, state and national patient population’s health status
• technology will be used extensively to improve instruction, to develop faculty, student, and staff technological self-efficacy, to manage evaluation data, and to facilitate the administration of the program
• graduates will have heightened awareness of culturally sensitive issues in PA medical practice
• graduates will be able to conduct clinical interviews
• graduates will be able to interpret subjective information to determine the necessary evaluation and management
• graduates will be able to conduct appropriate physical examinations
• graduates will be able to provide effective health care in a multicultural setting
• graduates will be able to develop a differential diagnosis
• graduates will be able to initiate appropriate and cost-effective clinical intervention
• graduates will be able to manage or refer patients with refractory symptoms or complex diseases
• graduates will be able to identify risk factors that warrant screening for early detection of disease
• graduates will be able to provide continuity of family care from pre-natal to end-of-life care
• graduates will be able to maintain accurate patient records and medical databases
• graduates will be able to counsel patients about healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors
• graduates will be able to educate patients about community resources