Feinberg
Northwestern Medicine | Northwestern University | Faculty Profiles

News Center

  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Menu
  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Home » Physician Assistant Students Present Capstone Research Projects
Education News

Physician Assistant Students Present Capstone Research Projects

By Will DossMay 15, 2019
Share
Facebook Twitter Email
Students in the Physician Assistant Program attend the 2019 Capstone Presentation.

Second-year physician assistant students showcased reviews of clinical literature at the annual Physician Assistant Program’s capstone presentations, the finale to their second and final year of Feinberg education.

After a course on research methods during their first year, physician assistant (PA) students conduct literature reviews on a chosen clinical topic, evaluating the safety and efficacy of things like MRI-based aphasia diagnoses or using calcium and exercise to manage premenstrual syndrome.

“It’s important for all of the health professions to participate in research,” said Michael Fotis, BS Pharm, a lecturer in Medical Education in the Physician Assistant Program and course director for the capstone project. “Every profession brings a unique perspective from that field.”

Noel Smith, a representative from the American Academy of Physician Assistants, delivered the keynote address at the Physician Assistant Program’s Capstone Presentation.

The year-long projects give aspiring PAs the skills to evaluate published science and apply that knowledge to real-world situations, Fotis explained.

“For example, the students will be able to determine whether or not to use newly researched techniques on patients,” Fotis said. “These skills can also help PAs persuade their colleagues that a treatment is or is not effective, or to convince patients that what they read on the internet may not be helpful.”

Alexandria Watts, a second-year student in the PA program, examined the long-term safety and effectiveness of stimulant medications — like Ritalin or Adderall — for the treatment of ADHD.

“Although there are a limited number of high-quality studies with long-term outcomes, each of the four studies reviewed suggests that stimulants do provide an overall benefit in patients with ADHD,” Watts said. “It is reassuring to note that the side effects recorded in these studies were considered relatively mild.”

Alexandria Watts, a second-year student in the PA program, examined the long-term safety and effectiveness of stimulant medications — like Ritalin or Adderall — for the treatment of ADHD.

In addition, research skills have utility beyond the clinic — many aspects of PA practice remain uncharacterized, and there is ample opportunity for policy- or practice-oriented research, explained keynote speaker Noel Smith, a representative from the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

“There needs to be clear hard evidence for the work that you’re doing,” Smith said. “Too few PAs are getting involved in research, and no one is going to represent you, like you represent yourself.”

Education Research Students
Share. Facebook Twitter Email

Related Posts

Self-Powered Wireless Implant Delivers Medication, Then Dissolves

Mar 30, 2023
Mar 29, 2023

Adolescent Sexual Health Program Receives Funding for Social Marketing Campaign

Mar 29, 2023

The Future of IgE-Mediated Allergy Research and Treatments

Mar 29, 2023

Comments are closed.

Latest News

Self-Powered Wireless Implant Delivers Medication, Then Dissolves

Mar 30, 2023

Adolescent Sexual Health Program Receives Funding for Social Marketing Campaign

Mar 29, 2023

The Future of IgE-Mediated Allergy Research and Treatments

Mar 29, 2023

Weintraub Appointed to Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Elder Law

Mar 28, 2023

Investigating Protein’s Role in Hearing Loss

Mar 27, 2023
  • News Center Home
  • Categories
  • Press Release
  • Media Coverage
  • Editor’s Picks
  • News Archives
  • About Us
Flickr Photos
20230317_NM651
20230317_NM610
20230317_NM569
20230317_NM537
20230317_NM331
20230317_NM323
20230317_NM316
20230317_NM336
20230317_NM626
20230317_NM662
20230317_NM655
20230317_NM642

Northwestern University logo

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flickr YouTube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Northwestern University
  • Contact Northwestern University
  • Disclaimer
  • Campus Emergency Information
  • Policy Statements

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.