Didactic Phase Curriculum
Learning activities in the Didactic Phase prepare students for success in the Clinical Phase. In the first semester, basic science concepts including physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics are covered in the Foundations of Clinical Medicine course. Also, in the first semester, students also learn how to obtain a complete patient history and perform a complete physical examination in the Introduction to Patient Evaluation and Clinical Procedures course. Content from these courses lays the foundation for success in subsequent courses. Topics covered in the Principles of Clinical Medicine I-III courses are sequenced with topics covered in the Patient Assessment and Clinical Skills I-III and Clinically Oriented Anatomy and Dissection I-III courses. As such, instruction in anatomical structure and function serves to enhance understanding of the clinical presentation of medical and surgical conditions, correct performance of physical examination techniques, interpretation of diagnostic studies, correct techniques for procedures, and patient management principles. Concepts important to public health, intellectual honesty, interpretation of medical literature, and PA professional practice are covered in the Physician Assistant Practice I-III courses. The format for instruction includes, but is not limited to, lectures and laboratory sessions. Students have opportunities to apply learned concepts and develop problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills in small group discussions of patient cases and simulated patient encounters.
The Didactic Team coordinates the learning activities and assessments in the Didactic Phase. Learning activities and assessment of student performance generally occur Monday through Friday, 8am till 5pm. Students are notified in advance of any learning activities or assessments scheduled outside of this time frame in person or via LMU-issued student email accounts. Contact information for course directors, course syllabi, instructional materials, assignments, and grades for course assessments are posted on the program’s online learning management system.