The mission of the Center City Physician Assistant Studies Program is to use our model of interprofessional education to educate skilled, compassionate physician assistants prepared to provide leadership through our evolving healthcare system, dedicated to lifelong learning and service to the community.

The mission is congruent with the mission of the University and guides the strategic plan and faculty goals in the Department.
Goals
Based on the structural design of the Program and its curriculum, we have created a unique educational model that, through a partnership with the College of Population Health, incorporates a focus in healthcare quality and patient safety. Our goals are:
To design a curriculum that builds the cognitive, clinical, interpersonal and professional skills needed for the practice of medicine as physician assistants
To foster graduates that become leaders, community builders, educators, and innovators in their chosen profession.
In addition, our students will participate in the Health Mentors Program through the Jefferson Center for InterProfessional Education, one of the premier interprofessional education centers in the United States. Physician Assistant Students at Thomas Jefferson University will complete simulation activities at the University Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art simulation and standardized patient facility accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Learn more about our goals and outcomes
Objectives
The Center City Physician Assistant Program is designed to provide students with the skills and activities that enhance their professional and personal growth as physician assistants through course objectives which cover three areas of learning:

Cognitive Skills (knowledge base)
Psychomotor Skills (manipulative and motor skills)
Affective Skills (attitudes and values)
Graduates of our Program will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge of the structures of the human body and how they function at the biochemical and physiological level
Understanding of the common pathophysiological disturbances that occur in each of the organ systems and the resulting disease processes in human beings
Knowledge of the principles of drug absorption, distribution, action, toxicity and elimination
Practical, working knowledge of commonly prescribed drugs
Knowledge and application of the use of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis and management of disease states
Understanding of the health care and social service systems, and the role of the PA/Physician Team within those systems
Knowledge, appreciation and application of legal and ethical concepts related to medical care
Understanding of the PA profession, its origin and development
Application of critical thinking to the solution of medical problems
Knowledge and ability to perform the skills necessary for patient evaluation, monitoring, diagnostic/therapeutics, counseling and appropriate referral
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, patients’ families, physicians and various other professional associates
Understanding of the principles of scientific inquiry and research design and ability to apply those principles to critically interpret medical literature and enhance ability to provide quality health care
Attitudes and skills that show a commitment to personal growth and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences throughout a diverse patient population
Attitudes and skills that show a commitment to professional behaviors and respect for self and others