PA 401 - Introduction to U.S. Health Care (B.S., MPAS)

(1 credit)

Designed to provide an overview of topics that pertain to the role of the practicing physician assistant. The course will present an overview of the physician assistant profession, its historical development and current trends to include information about physician assistant licensure, credentialing and laws and regulations regarding professional practice. Instruction will occur in relation to patient safety, quality improvement, prevention of medical errors and risk management. The course will explore an overview of health care delivery systems and health policy and introduce the concepts of medical reimbursement, documentation of care, coding and billing. The concept of providing medical care to patients from diverse populations to include consideration of the impact of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities on health care delivery will also be introduced. Summer.