2023-24 Academic Catalog

Doctor of Medical Science

Overview

The George Fox University Physician Assistant (PA) program offers a 36-credit Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. New cohorts in the DMSc begin studies every January during the second year in the PA program. Though connected by overlapping course work, the MMSc PA and DMSc programs are separate degree offerings. 

The revolutionary development of this dual degree allows for 12 credit hours of advanced-standing credit from your first year of PA school, to be carried over to the DMSc followed by nine credit hours of dual enrollment during your second year, allowing you to complete the degree with just one additional semester of three online classes (15 credit hours) after successful graduation from the MMSc PA program.

Mission

This program seeks to educate and prepare future Physician Assistants (PAs) to become equitable, spiritually-minded, compassionate healthcare leaders with an emphasis on team-based healthcare delivery, collaboration, human diversity, and patient-centered care.

Program Goals

The goals of the Doctor of Medical Science program are to advance the master’s level PA in three areas:

  1. Clinical Practice. Develop PAs with an advanced level of competence and confidence in disaster and global healthcare
  2. Leadership Development. Equip PAs with advanced skills to become vision-shapers in their local and global healthcare communities
  3. Scholarship. Broaden the scope and depth of competence in scholarship to promote self-directed, goal-focused, lifelong scholars and competent and compassionate healthcare providers

Program Core Values

  1. Inquiry: Prepare for community engagement through critical thinking and analysis
  2. Importance: Understand how knowledge and experience develops skills used in the service of humanity 
  3. Impression:  Connect learning to context while overcoming barriers and challenges with the help of others 

Graduate Outcomes

The overall program design is based on four interlaced topic areas. These include (1) global health and humanitarian service, (2) medical practice relevant to underserved areas and populations, (3) research and service, and (4) clinical fellowship in an area of interest. Curriculum in each area is based on (1) course learning goals, (2) course learning outcomes, and (3) course instructional objectives which are linked to each other and the program foundation.

Accreditation

Accreditation for George Fox University’s DMSc PA program comes from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit postsecondary institutions.  NWCCU is incorporated as a legally established, private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and accredits institutions of higher education in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and British Columbia, along with other domestic and international geographic areas.  NWCCU recognizes higher education institutions for performance, integrity, and quality to merit the confidence of the educational community and the public. Our accreditation of postsecondary institutions is a voluntary, non-governmental, self-regulatory process of quality assurance and institutional improvement.

Accreditation or pre-accreditation by NWCCU also qualifies institutions and enrolled students for access to Title IV federal funds to support teaching, research, and student financial aid.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the NWCCU website at https://nwccu.org/.

Curriculum

Applied Research Project I (2 Semester Hours [SH])

This course exposes DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates the integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need. 

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in health sciences fields, scholarship, and evidence-based practice.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for designing, conducting, analyzing and disseminating health sciences research.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge in critical analytical thinking skills in foundational areas of health sciences.
  4. Demonstrate advanced and effective skills in communication, professionalism, ethical practice, systematic thought, and writing.

Applied Research Project II (2 SH)

This course continues where ARP I stopped, exposing DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need.  During APR I, project application will occur and this course runs concurrent with the Humanitarian Service Practicum.

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in health sciences fields, scholarship, and evidence-based practice.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for designing, conducting, analyzing and disseminating health sciences research.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge in critical analytical thinking skills in foundational areas of health sciences.
  4. Demonstrate advanced and effective skills in communication, professionalism, ethical practice, systematic thought, and writing.

Applied Research Project III (2 SH)

This course continues where ARP II stopped, exposing DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need. During APR III, students will create a project poster board or write a medical paper. In both instances, the poster board or paper must be submitted for review (presented at a conference or published).

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in health sciences fields, scholarship, and evidence-based practice.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating health sciences research.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge in critical analytical thinking skills in foundational areas of health sciences.
  4. Demonstrate advanced and effective skills in communication, professionalism, ethical practice, systematic thought, and writing.

Applied Research Project Practicum (3 SH)

The Humanitarian Service Practicum is the application of the Applied Research Project series and occurs in local underserved areas or populations or in a distant population where little to no medical care exists. This may include trips into rural Oregon, inner-city Portland, or countries such as Kenya, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and others. Service may focus on preventive medicine such as hygiene, clean accessible water, open fire cooking, etc. Regardless of the group project, this phase only takes place on well-researched options that are guided by the course faculty and with clearly defined outcomes that are measurable. This course runs concurrently with the ARP II course.

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in health sciences fields, scholarship, and evidence-based practice.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating health sciences research.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge in critical analytical thinking skills in foundational areas of health sciences.
  4. Demonstrate advanced and effective skills in communication, professionalism, ethical practice, systematic thought, and writing.

Doctorate Practicum (9 SH)

Students engaged in the DMSc Practicum series will be referred to as a PA Fellow. The Doctoral Practicum provides opportunities for students to develop competent and proficient levels of mastery within their chosen area of medical practice. This will include treatment plans which are patient-centered and inclusive, address medical issues, and reinforce patient education and appropriate consultation and referral. This course can be taken over three semesters or during one semester. If taken over three terms, the PA fellow must complete and submit a minimum of 160 patient encounter hours per term. If taken over one term, the PA fellow must complete and submit a minimum of 480 patient encounter hours per the term.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply advanced and specialized knowledge with an emphasis structured beyond general practice to include medical skills applied in a disaster and global health setting:
    1. Global Health Medical Care
    2. Emergency Management

Tropical Medicine (3 SH)

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of infectious and tropical disease epidemiology, presentation, treatment, and prevention options. There will also be a discussion of the care of refugees and displaced persons, medical tourism, and traditional healing practices one might encounter.

Course Outcomes

  1. Develop an understanding of the presentation, work-up, and treatment of common tropical diseases.
  2. Create a strategy to counsel and treat pre- and post-travel patients based on the most current evidence.
  3. Outline the essential medical and psychological care of the immigrant or displaced person.
  4. Acquire knowledge regarding the concept of medical tourism, including risks and benefits of seeking care outside of the US.
  5. Summarize the most common poisonous plants and animals in a given location and describe the treatment.
  6. Utilize cultural context regarding traditional healing practices one may encounter when serving overseas.

Disaster Medicine (3 SH)

This course educates individuals about disaster preparedness and emergency medical intervention in a disaster setting. Students will learn how to plan, coordinate, and execute a response to a natural (earthquake, flood, tornado, etc.), industrial (explosions, hazardous materials, etc.), and intentional (bombings, shootings, nuclear, biological, chemical, etc.) disaster. This course will explore the following:

  1. Health and disaster
  2. Psychological impact of disaster
  3. Disaster response concepts
  4. Disaster preparation
  5. Disaster communications
  6. Medical operations in remote and/or urban areas
  7. Survival skills
  8. Natural, industrial, and manmade disasters
  9. Displaced populations

Admission Requirements

See Admissions webpage for more specifics regarding admissions recommendations and guidelines.

Transfer Credit

All George Fox courses must be taken as part of the PA and DMSc cohort, and no advanced placement options are available.

Grading

Students enrolled in GFU’s DMSc Program must maintain adherence to the program standard of academic performance and professionalism. Due to the sequential nature of the curriculum, students must successfully complete all courses for a given semester before becoming eligible to take courses in the subsequent semester.

DMSc grades are given as A, B, C and F, including experiential (clinical) course grades

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a master of medical science

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of the DMSc curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. 
  • A grade of B- or above is acceptable completion of any course.  See department student handbook for grading policy.
  • Successfully pass all the components of the DMSc program.
  • Demonstrate they have met all graduate competencies and learning outcomes
  • Be in good professional standing.

** Semester Hours (SH)

Curriculum Plan

This class addresses social and behavior science as well as normal and abnormal development across the life span. In addition, the course prepares students to provide medical care to patients from diverse populations to include racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities on health care delivery. Instruction related to medical care and diversity prepares students to evaluate their own values and avoid stereotyping. It assists them in becoming aware of differing health beliefs, values and expectations of patients and other health care professionals that can affect communication, decision-making, compliance and health outcomes. Instruction includes detection and treatment of substance abuse; human sexuality; issues of death, dying and loss; response to illness, injury and stress; principles of violence identification and prevention; and a few key psychiatric/behavioral conditions. In addition, issues unique to the pediatric and geriatric population will be addressed in this course.
This course provides an introduction to important global health issues, including determinants of health, key areas of disease burden, and the role that PAs can play in solving these problems. This course introduces students to global health issues relevant to medical practice. Topics include (1) Leadership issues in global health, (2) global health care, and (3) ethics, initiatives, and priorities in global health.
This is the third course in the global health and special populations series and is focused on developing organization and leadership traits. Instruction will look at how individuals and groups think and interact and analyze what factors enhance these interactions to positively impact the success of the organization. The purpose of this course is to create a more effective service-oriented clinician. The course will examine some of the primary theories and principles of motivation, communication, leadership attributes, managing conflict, decision making, team building, and dealing with change at an organizational level. The course will explore many prominent organizational behavior theories and issues and discuss and analyze current examples from the healthcare arena. It will provide examples of how greater knowledge and understanding of effective leadership skills in an organization is vital to successful and sound decision-making, problem solving, conflict management, team building, and managing change.
This course prepares students to recognize, rapidly assess, and effectively manage emergent situation, illness, or injury. Problem-based case studies and team-based activities are used to encourage the development of teamwork, collaboration, and interdisciplinary value. Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support training is part of this course.
This course covers concepts of surgical assessment, basic surgical skills and procedures, surgical complications, and management of surgical patients. It builds on the foundation of the previous medicine courses and expands on etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and diagnosis, and appropriate management of selected surgical conditions including care of acute and chronic patients. Emphasis is on students developing competency in the principles and practices involved in aseptic and basic surgical techniques, surgical risk assessment, wound management, anesthesia, and preoperative, perioperative and postoperative evaluation and management.
This course exposes DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need.
This course continues where ARP I stopped, exposing DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need.
This course continues where ARP II stopped, exposing DMSc students to issues related to underserved and diverse populations, locally and abroad. The course encourages (1) student awareness of the interdependence of health and social issues and (2) awareness of resources available to underserved and diverse populations. In addition, the course helps students identify their community values and view while expanding on ethical care in underserved populations and areas. This project facilitates integration of George Fox’s mission by providing service to a community in need.
The Humanitarian Service Practicum is the application of the Applied Research Project series and occurs in local underserved areas or populations or in distant population where little to no medical care exists. This may include trips into rural Oregon, inner city Portland, or countries such as Kenya, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and others. Service may focus on preventive medicine such as hygiene, clean accessible water, open fire cooking, etc. Regardless of the group project, this phase only takes place on well researched options that are guided by the course faculty and with clearly defined outcomes that are measurable. This course runs concurrently with the ARP II course.
This course educates individuals about disaster preparedness and emergency medical intervention in a disaster setting. Students will learn how to plan, coordinate, and execute a response to a natural (earthquake, flood, tornado, etc.), industrial (explosions, hazardous materials, etc.), and intentional (bombings, shootings, nuclear, biological, chemical, etc.) disaster.
This course will provide an in-depth analysis of infectious and tropical disease epidemiology, presentation, treatment, and prevention options. There will also be a discussion of the care of refugees and displaced persons, medical tourism, and traditional healing practices one might encounter.
Students engaged in the DMSc Practicum series will be referred to as a PA Fellow. The Doctoral Practicum provides opportunities for students to develop competent and proficient levels of mastery within their chosen area of medical practice. This will include treatment plans which are patient- centered and inclusive, address medical issues, and reinforce patient education and appropriate consultation and referral. This course can be taken over three semesters or during one semester. If taken over three terms, the PA fellow must complete and submit a minimum of 160 patient encounter hours per term. If taken over one term, the PA fellow must complete and submit a minimum of 480 patient encounter hours per the term.