A candidate for the physician assistant program must have abilities and skills of eight varieties, including: observation, communication, motor, sensory, strength and mobility, visual integration, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative and behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for handicaps in some of these areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

Observation

Candidates and students must have sufficient vision to be able to observe demonstrations, experiments and laboratory exercises held throughout the program. They must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.

Communication

Candidates and students should be able to speak, hear, and observe in order to elicit information, examine patients, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing. They must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.

Motor

Candidates and students should have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physician assistants are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Sensory

Since physician assistant candidates and students need enhanced ability in their sensory skills, it would be necessary to thoroughly evaluate for candidacy individuals who are otherwise qualified but who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities. This would include individuals with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation, and many malformations of the upper extremities.

Strength and mobility

Performing as a physician assistant student often requires upright posture along with sufficient upper and lower extremity and body strength. Such strength and mobility are needed in order to assist in surgery, emergency situations and activities associated with daily practice as a physican assistant.

Visual integration

Consistent with the ability to assess asymmetry, range of motion and tissue texture changes, it is necessary for candidates and students to have adequate visual capabilities for proper evaluation and treatment integration.

Intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physician assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates and students should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Behavioral and social attributes

Candidates and students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients. Candidates and students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.

The College of Health Sciences physician assistant program will attempt to develop creative ways of opening the curriculum to competitive, qualified disabled individuals. In doing so, however, the College must maintain the integrity of its curriculum and preserve those elements deemed essential to the education of physician assistants.