By the end of the 3 week placement the students will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.  As a member of the health care team, the student will gain an understanding of the importance of initiating and promoting interpersonal relationships with patients and health care professionals. 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 paediatric 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 paediatric conditions.

History Taking and Consultation Skills

The student will be able to obtain an appropriate paediatric medical history from the patient or patient's parent/guardian or other informed source, sufficient to diagnose and treat a medical problem or to provide preventative care to a paediatric patient. 

Physical Examination

The student will be able to perform an appropriate physical examination using flexible age-appropriate examining techniques for the paediatric patient identifying normal and abnormal physical findings.

Clinical Judgement in Diagnosis and Treatment

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

Therapeutics and Prescribing

Awareness of pharmacologic therapy, demonstrating understanding of the indications contraindications, major side-effects/adverse reactions and correct dosing schedules for medications commonly used in paediatrics.

Clinical Planning and Procedures

The student will analyse information obtained from the history, physical examination, formulate a problem list, develop a comprehensive prioritised differential diagnosis, utilise all available clinical data to accurately determine the diagnosis and appropriately manage common and important paediatric conditions. The student will also demonstrate ability to appropriately manage common medical emergencies encountered in paediatrics, recognising indications for consultation or referral.