Being a PA has so many benefits, considering there is an increase in demand for physician assistants. There are two paths you can take to become a physician assistant in Georgia. First, you can attend a sped up physician assistant program that is customized for high school graduates. These programs normally take five years to complete, and once you are done, you are awarded a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The second path you can take involves getting a bachelor's degree, where you will complete courses needed to apply for PA programs. This takes four years, and once you are done, you can attend a PA program for two years. Whichever path you choose, the schools below are going to equip you with the knowledge you need to be a qualified physician assistant.
Emory University
Emory University has created an educational environment that allows physician assistants to understand human needs and the ethical issues related to patient care. Again, the university helps students learn how to apply patient-centered clinical knowledge and skills. The Emory Physician Assistant Program aims to educate a diverse group of students to ensure they provide compassionate and quality healthcare.
This program also ensures that graduates are prepared to practice evidence-based care and preventive medicine to reduce the number of hospital visits and admissions. The graduates are taught the highest standards of professionalism and the importance of team-based medicine. The PA program also educates physician assistants on how to stay committed to the medically underserved. The PA program has a curriculum that offers education on various medical and surgical disciplines.
The Emory Physician Assistant Program has a long history of community service. This means that graduates travel to rural South Georgia every year to take care of farmers who harvest Georgia's crops. Students under the program also work in Urban Atlanta clinics to provide quality care to patients who don’t have insurance.
Students pursuing PA at Emory University have access to nationally recognized experts in different fields. They also get to see diverse clinical experiences while undergoing clinical training in various medical institutions. The university is committed to helping its students become professionals who understand efficient learning and advocating for patients. The students are trained to be competent and confident physician assistants.
Mercer University
Mercer University offers a professional program in physician assistant studies. Graduates who complete this program are awarded a Master of Medical Science degree. The program is full-time, and it takes 28 months to complete. The program focuses on educating patient-centered medical professionals who provide care based on the needs of patients. The program also ensures that graduates are critical thinkers, leaders and lifelong learners. Students are provided with assistance in the laboratory and when completing other assignments.
Mercer University also offers the orthopedic surgery residency program to students. This is a comprehensive program that takes one year to complete, and it offers certified physician assistants the knowledge and skills needed to assist in the evaluation and management of all kinds of musculoskeletal conditions. This program improves the competency of physician assistants who offer orthopedic care to patients. The program's curriculum teaches students the moral principles they must uphold when treating patients.
The program also focuses on providing students with clinical experience. Graduates must complete nine clinical rotations that begin with general orthopedics and then sports medicine for three months. The graduates then have to attend major orthopedic subspecialties, including foot and ankle and hand and elbow. Other subspecialties include joint replacement, spine and upper extremity.
Augusta University
Augusta University offers interprofessional educational activities for students pursuing PA throughout their training. The University partners with the UGA School of Pharmacy, for instance, to ensure graduates understand how to work in the field of pharmacy and how to properly diagnose medication. The university also collaborates with AU Dental Hygiene to educate students about dental care. The other partner of the university is the AU medical school which teaches students about medical sciences.
Studying the Augusta PA program also ensures that graduates consistently pass the PA national certification exam. The program also offers students the opportunity to volunteer in Equality Clinic and Clinica Latina. This is a great opportunity for the students to see patients and how they are treated. The program also offers students training for ultrasound, which offers them skills they can utilize while working in varying medical facilities.
Additionally, the program includes a full Human Gross Anatomy course. They complete this course in a laboratory setting to ensure they gain the real-life experience they could use in any medical facility. Augusta University prides itself in taking care of its students as they study to become qualified, competent and compassionate healthcare experts.
Brenau University
Brenau University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies Program helps students advance in their profession under four pillars. The first pillar is evidence-based and reflective practice. This teaches students how to plan, act, provide feedback and reflect when providing care. Students must reflect on the changes that have been initiated in the medical practice. The students must then consider the implications of these changes to personal growth and to patient care.
The second pillar is modern scientific inquiry, which encourages students to investigate contemporary science topics. This pillar gives students exciting ways to learn and apply disciplinary ideas of science and engage with purpose in science and medical practices. This pillar also encourages students to make contributions to science and their communities through the inquiries they carry out.
The program also equips students with skills, attitudes, abilities and knowledge that help them as physician assistants to perform duties related to a patient with acceptability. The fourth pillar is humanitarian selflessness, which teaches students to always be compassionate when taking care of patients. Physician assistants must always put the needs of their patients first and ensure that they are treated with respect and compassion at all times. The Master of Science program at Brenau University lasts for 28 months, and it ensures that students undergo clinical training throughout the program.
All the Universities listed above are in Georgia, and they offer the best Physician Assistant programs. Therefore, if you are looking to get started, consider picking any of them. You will be equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide the best patient care. Having said that, the best schools are also the most competitive ones hence you may not get in the first time. Luckily, there are things that you can do to prepare better and try again if you didn’t get accepted. Just remember that it is not only you and not many people qualify for PA school on their first application cycle.