By the end of the 6 week placement the students will be able to elicit a problem-oriented medical history, perform a pertinent physical examination, obtain and interpret indicated lab studies, formulate a management plan and implement appropriate therapy for common emergency care related problems. The student may have some areas of weakness but will, overall, be safe.  

History Taking and Consultation Skills

The student will be able to:

1.  Obtain a history from the patient, relative, or other informed party. 

2. Obtain historical data necessary for the evaluation and treatment of a patient who has presented to the ED Department.

Physical Examination 

The student will be able to perform an appropriate physical examination, distinguish normal from abnormal physical findings and comprehensively record findings in a logical and systematic way.

Clinical Judgement in Diagnosis and Management

The student will use laboratory and diagnostic studies appropriately to support or modify tentative diagnostic impressions.

Therapeutics and Prescribing

Utilising pharmacologic therapy, demonstrate an understanding of the indications, contraindications, major side-effects/adverse reactions and correct dosing schedules for medications commonly used in an ED.

Clinical Planning and Procedures

The student will analyse information obtained from the history, physical exam, diagnostic tests, and procedures to recognize and diagnose common conditions in the adult patient, formulate a problem list, develop a comprehensive, prioritised differential diagnosis and utilise all available clinical data to accurately determine the diagnosis.

Below is an extensive but not exhaustive list of conditions that PA students are encouraged to see by the end of their 3 week rotation in General Medicine. Once qualified, PAs are expected to diagnose a patient on initial presentation with these conditions and will not usually require further referral. 

Students will be able to describe for each of these conditions:

1.       Signs and symptoms

2.       Cause and natural history

3.       Diagnostic lab tests

4.       Appropriate therapeutic and management consideration

Trauma

• Multiple trauma 

• Hypovolemic shock

• Hypovolemic shock 

• Cardiogenic shock

• Neurogenic shock  

• Anaphylactic shock 

• Burns 

• Ingestion of poisonous/dangerous substances

• Animal bites 

Musculoskeletal 

• Fractures and dislocations 

• Soft tissue injuries

Cardiovascular

• Cardiac arrest                                                                               

• Acute MI                                                                                         

• Hypertensive crisis                                                                     

• Cardiac rhythm disturbances                                                 

• Sudden peripheral vascular occlusion

• AAA

Neurological

• Coma                                                                                            

• Seizure disorders

• Stroke

• Meningitis

• Raised Intracranial Pressure

Respiratory

• Tension pneumothorax 

• Acute asthma 

• Pulmonary embolus

• Acute pulmonary oedema 

• Acute exacerbation of COPD

Endocrine and Metabolic disorders

• Diabetic ketoacidosis 

Gastro-Intestinal

• Acute abdomen

• Cholecystitis

• GI Haemorrhage

• Pancreatitis

Renal and GU 

• Acute Kidney Injury

ENT

• Ocular injuries                                                                                          

• Red eye                                                                               

• Acute vision loss 

Female Reproductive

• PV bleeding 

• Obstetrical emergencies