THE CHA/PA CURRICULUM  

The CHA/PA Program has gained national recognition for its curriculum in primary care medicine. The Program offers a Certificate and a Professional Master’s Degree (MPAS-Pediatrics). In accordance with the mission of the program, the curriculum provides comprehensive physician assistant education in primary medical care with an emphasis on pediatrics and the need for service to disadvantaged, at risk and medically underserved populations. There is also a specialized rural track clinical curriculum available for students who wish to live and practice in rural areas. The curriculum has adapted the principles of adult learning theory to PA education with a strong emphasis on those skills that promote lifelong learning. Current educational initiatives are aimed at strengthening the integration of the basic sciences with clinical medicine, enhancing the content of education to include principles of family centered care and behavioral and psychosocial perspectives, increasing the teaching and learning that occurs in ambulatory and community settings, integrating problem-based learning throughout the first year of the curriculum, and promoting skills of computer literacy and information management.

This three-year program has frequently been recognized for curriculum excellence and innovation. The problem-based learning, evidence-based medicine, psychosocial courses, and clinical rotations are successful components of the curriculum. Clinical Experience in the first year of the training program has been an integral part of the curriculum since its inception. In cooperation with the School Medicine’s Center for Advancing Professional Excellence, the program is increasing the use of standardized patients in both education and assessment of students. The high degree of acceptance by physicians, other health care providers and patients are proof of the success of the rigorous curriculum.

As a part of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the faculty of the entire school of medicine and affiliates contribute greatly to the quality of the learning experiences provided at the CHA/PA Program. Affiliations with the University of Colorado Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, Denver Health and Hospitals, National Jewish Center for Research in addition to community centers and clinics provide a network of clinical rotations to enhance the training of students. The faculty within the departments of Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and others regularly participate in both classroom and clinical training of the CHA/PA Program students.

Throughout the program, students will develop knowledge and skill necessary to practice evidence-based medicine. This includes training in searching and reviewing the medical literature, health-related research methods, and interpretation of statistical methods related to research findings. Each student is required to complete an evidence-based review of a clinical question with the purpose of expanding the student’s ability to identify and investigate clinical questions through the medical literature. During the final month of the program, students will be required to present a case-based project to faculty, students, and other interested individuals.

Graduation and awarding of the Masters of Physician Assistant Studies and Certificate of Completion are based upon the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of all coursework and rotations of the CHA/PA Program
2. Exhibiting Professionalism throughout the course of study
3. Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 throughout the program
4. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills Examinations