PHYA 481 - Behavioral Medicine II

(1 credit)

This course will provide the student with an understanding of human behavior in health and illness as appropriate to the physician assistant role. Three main areas are emphasized. The first section deals with the dynamics of the patient-provider relationship. The second section deals with sexuality in terms of sexual development, normal sexual functioning, psychosexual disorders, alternative sexual lifestyles, and the influence of illness on sexuality. The last area deals with normal development from childhood through old age with special emphasis placed on the patient as an individual and as part of a family, physical and sexual abuse, and disorders that are particular to specific age groups. In addition, this course will also discuss cultural issues as they relate to the healthcare provider.