Program Overview

Program Overview

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University offers a Physician Assistant Program that aims to equip students with the necessary competencies to practice medicine in a primary care setting.

Program Competencies

Upon completion of the program, students are expected to have achieved the following competencies:

Medical Knowledge

• Demonstrate the fund of general medical knowledge needed to practice medicine in a primary care setting while acknowledging the specific needs of the patient.
• Counsel and educate for disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle.
• Provide care across the lifespan, regardless of medical condition, gender, race, ethnicity, or other diverse quality.

Clinical and Technical Skills

• Conduct a thorough patient-centered history and physical examination for a comprehensive and problem-focused patient encounter.
• Perform clinical skills at a skill level considered essential for an entry-level physician assistant.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

• Draw upon their fund of medical knowledge to formulate a differential diagnosis.
• Develop an appropriate management plan using evidence-based medicine, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Critically appraise medical literature to answer a proposed research question.

Interpersonal Skills

• Use effective communication skills to elicit and provide information, developing a rapport with patients and/or their advocates.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills necessary to work with all members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness to a diverse patient population.

Professional Behaviors

• Demonstrate professional behaviors needed to practice medicine.