Overview of PA Programme
What do the students learn?
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The Masters’ in Physician Associate Studies (MPAS) programme at St George’s University of London (SGUL) is a 2-year postgraduate Masters level programme. For entry requirements please refer to the St. George's, PA programme website.
Modules covered in the course are:
Applied Pharmacology: Students taught basic principles of pharmacology and learn about medications used for common and important conditions. The module focuses on medications outlined in The Top 100 Drugs book
Investigations in Clinical Medicine: Addresses the common and pertinent investigations relating to the clinical practice of a Physician Associate
Evidence Based Practice: Students are taught the critical skills required to introduce evidence into their decision-making within the time and resource constraints they face in everyday practice
PA Applied Clinical Knowledge and Skills: Placements module which also encompasses work based assessments and skills training.
Personal and Professional Development: Students are taught the core principles and skills needed to examine and communicate with patients effectively.
PA as a Professional Evaluation Report: Assess the students professional development through their demonstration of appropriate attitude, behaviour and skills in the academic and clinical environment.
Foundations in Clinical Medicine: Teaches clinical anatomy, pathology, differential diagnosis skills, models of decision-making and applications of the underpinning sciences to patient conditions.
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Overview of Year 1
The first year is divided into three terms.
Term 1: September to December - Introduction sessions during the first 1-2 weeks followed by systems based learning.
Term 2: January to April - Systems-based learning and assessments.
Term 3: April - August - Systems-based learning and assessments
Overview of Year 2
Term 1: September to December - Special Topics Weeks, teaching contact days, clinical placements and assessments
Term 2: January to April - Teaching contact days and clinical placements, assessments
Term 3: April - August - Teaching contact days, clinical placements, assessments
The structure of Year 2 consists of Special Topics Weeks (STW) at the beginning of Term 1 and clinical placements with university teaching contact time.
Training
Year 1:
BLS
Procedural skills taught throughout the year:
Blood Pressure Measurement
Temperature and O2 sats measurement
Urine dipstick and urine pregnancy testing
IM/SC injection
Blood glucose monitoring
Peak flow/Spirometry
ECG
Using nebulisers
Year 2:
IRMER
ILS (at the end of Year 2)
Procedural skills taught at the beginning of the year:
Surgical skills - scrubbing technique including donning/doffing
Wound care and diabetic foot check
ABG, venepuncture and cannulation
Male and female catherisation
Wound debridement
Abscess drainage
Suturing
Upon successful completion of all modules and clinical placements, students will be awarded an MPAS in Physician Associate Studies. They will then be eligible to enter the National Physician Associate Examination. This is a two-part assessment comprising a single best answer written examination and an OSCE. With success in both parts, graduates will then be eligible to work in an area of their choosing with a supervising physician, deepening and refining their professional and clinical skills throughout their professional career.
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