Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Aim

By the end of the 3 week placement the students will be able to elicit an appropriate obstetric and gynaecologic medical history, perform an appropriate physical exam, obtain indicated lab studies, assess the results, formulate a management plan, and implement appropriate therapy for common problems encountered in obstetrics and gynaecology . The student may have some areas of weakness but will, overall, be safe.  


It is important to remember that the primary purpose of this experience is to prepare Physician Associate students to deal professionally and confidentially with women’s health issues they may encounter in a variety of healthcare settings. The focus is therefore on the diagnosis and/or management of common and important obstetric and gynaecological conditions.

Objectives

Physical Examination

The student will be able to perform an appropriate physical examination including a thorough breast, abdominal, and pelvic exam.

 

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:

Aware of pharmacologic therapy, demonstrating understanding of the indications, contraindications, major side-effects/adverse reactions and correct dosing schedules for medications commonly used in obstetric and gynaecologic practices

 

Clinical Planning and Procedures

The student will analyse information obtained from the history, physical examination, recognize and diagnose obstetric and gynaecologic emergencies, formulate a problem list, develop a comprehensive prioritised differential diagnosis, utilise all available clinical data to accurately determine the diagnosis and appropriately manage common obstetric and gynaecologic emergencies

 

The following conditions, taken from the Matrix specification of Core Clinical Conditions for the qualified Physician Associate, are included here as guidance to the type of conditions and the level of competence that may be expected. It is NOT an agenda to be covered comprehensively.

Conditions covered in placement 

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 Obs and Gynae.

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


Once qualified, PAs are expected to diagnose a patient on initial presentation with these conditions and will not usually require further referral. 


PA student should have an understanding of the following conditions but may not have the knowledge or resources to confirm the diagnosis or to manage the conditions safely:


                                                                                         

Complicated Pregnancy