Rotations - Student Life - Physician Assistant Studies UTHSCSA

SUPERVISED CLINICAL PRACTICE (Clinical Rotations)

UTHSCSA PA Students do rotations at clinical sites throughout South Texas. Rotations are four weeks in length and usually students change to a new site every four weeks. Students accomplish the following rotations in any order:

Emergency Medicine
Medical Inpatient Service
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Pediatrics
Primary Care I, II, and III (three 4-week rotations)
Surgery
Elective I - Medicine
Elective II - General
Selective
Community Medicine Project

UTHSCSA has clinical affiliations with three Level I Trauma centers, and more than 75 other hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. All students are required to do a minimum of 2 rural or remote rotations. UTHSCSA is located in Bexar County (in red below). We have clinical affiliations in the Texas counties in light blue.

map of texas counties

UTHSCSA adds a number of clinical sites annually. Students are allowed to request clinical rotations by preceptor or site, though the ultimate decision on where a rotation will be completed is at the discretion of the faculty. Students are also allowed to suggest new rotation sites. We work with students to ensure they get the best clinical experience possible.

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Both electives and the Selective rotation are usually completed during the final semester. Electives may be a repeat of any previous rotation, or a new rotation. One elective must be in a medical discipline, the other may be either medical or surgical. One of the most requested elective rotations is the South Texas Environmental Education and Research (STEER) program in Laredo.
Click here for more information on the STEER program.

The Selective rotation is selected by the faculty (with input from the student) to help maximize their overall supervised clinical practice and educational experience. Selectives include:

Clinical Research
Geriatrics
Skills Enhancement
STEER
Specialty Training
Teaching

Clinical rotations preceptors include physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Time spent on each rotation varies. Often PA students are on-call 24-7 with their preceptor. When on call, students must be able to respond to the call within 30 minutes, regardless of the time of day or night.

Emergency Medicine - Accomplished in a hospital emergency room. Usually entails 12-hour shifts. Patients of all ages are seen. Exposure to trauma and life-threatening situations.

Medical Inpatient Service - Assigned full time to an in-service (in-hospital) team. Work hours are long (often 16-hour days, 6-7 days a week). As a part of the hospital team, PA students interact with staff and often residents, interns and occasionally medical students. Team approach to patient care is emphasized. Students are able to follow a patient throughout their hospital course.

Obstetrics/Gynecology - Office based rotation with primary emphasis on women's health. Exposure to prenatal care and gynecologic problems. Some students will have the opportunity participate in obstetrical delivery. Often includes surgery exposure as well. Students are usually on-call.

Pediatrics - Office based rotation that focuses on neonates through age 21; some exposure to neonatal resuscitation. Focus is on growth and development, and well baby-child care. May include hospital rounds. Students are often on-call.

Primary Care I, II, and III - Office based rotation that involves the care of patients of all ages. Focus is on general medicine and health maintenance. May include hospital rounds, nursing home visits, and being on-call. Students must complete three Primary Care rotations.

Surgery - Office and hospital based rotation. Patients are followed during pre-operative, inter-operative, and post-operative periods. Often involves long periods of standing in the operating room. Students are frequently on-call. May involve long hours 6-7 days per week.

Selective - A four-week course of instruction selected by faculty (with input from the student) to best meet the needs of the student. Students will be considered for one of the following:

Clinical Research: This course is an expansion of the Scientific Inquiry course taken in the first summer session. It introduces the student to the Clinical Research environment. Students will be involved in the selection and care of patients in Phase II-Phase IV Clinical Studies. Students may review ethical considerations for patient selection, screen patients for study protocol participation, and review and compile clinical results. Students may also be required to analyze clinical research articles and/or clinical data.
Geriatrics: This is a four-week clinical practicum during which the student will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in geriatrics and assume patient care responsibility under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner. Students will work primarily in an outpatient setting but may be required to take call and participate in hospital and/or nursing home rounds. This practicum may be accomplished in either and inpatient or outpatient setting. May also be selected as an elective rotation.
Psychiatry: This is a four-week clinical practicum during which the student will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in behavioral medicine and assume patient-care responsibility under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner. Students will work primarily in an outpatient setting but may be required to take call and participate in hospital rounds. This practicum may be accomplished in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. May also be selected as an elective rotation.
Skills Enhancement: Four-week rotation based on the improvement of clinical and study skills. Students receive individualized assistance with development of study skills that will aid them in the completion of the PA National Certification Examination. General problem solving, and organizational skills are enhanced. Clinical skills are polished and test-taking skills are emphasized. Students who fail more than one end of rotation examination during the clinical year may be required to take this selective.
South Texas Environmental Education and Research (STEER): This is a four-week practicum in which the student lives and works in the Laredo Community under the direction of STEER faculty and staff. Students are exposed to medical and environmental issues ranging from disparate health care and living conditions, to air and water quality and purification. Students may also receive training with Customs officials on the Texas/Mexico boarder, wildlife specialists, and complementary and alternative medicine specialists. May also be selected as an elective rotation.
Specialty Training: Four-week rotation in a specialty area not normally considered by other students. This rotation may be a one-time offering based on the needs of the student and may occur outside of the usual clinical rotation site area.
Teaching: Designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation for professional and higher education. The student will be given the opportunity to participate in teaching, service, and scholarly activity under the mentorship of the faculty. The opportunity for the level of participation will depend on the timing of the rotation assignment, availability of faculty, and program activity. Directed readings and assignments will allow the student to develop an understanding of curriculum, course, lecture development and evaluation. Students will teach selected topics to first and second year students. May also be selected as an elective rotation.

Elective I - Medicine - Elective rotation that may be a repeat of a previous rotation, or any medical subspecialty. Students have some choice in the practice, location, and specialty selected. Depending on the rotation, may involve long hours and being on call. May also include hospital or nursing home rounds.

Elective II - General - Elective rotation that may be a repeat of any previous rotation or any medical or surgical subspecialty. Students have some choice in the practice, location, and specialty selected. Depending on the rotation, may involve long hours and being on call. May also include hospital or nursing home rounds.

Community Medicine Project - Students complete a Community Medicine Project as the capstone event for the Master's degree.

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