Patient Perspective Writing Assignment


The PA student will understand the perspective of the patient experiencing a health problem and this will help them to deliver responsible and relevant care. The purpose of this assignment is to encourage the PA student to think from the patient's perspective, helping the student think in terms of treating the person, not just the disease.


  1. For each clinical rotation (required and elective) listen to a patient (or family member of a patient) who has experienced or is experiencing one of the following:
    • a chronic health condition
    • a disabling or disfiguring condition
    • a traumatic event
    • a lack of private health insurance
    • other significant experience affecting their well-being

      To receive credit, the patient should be one seen during the rotation that the assignment is being written for.
  2. Describe in more than 1 but less than 3 typewritten pages, the patient's (or family member's) experience from their perspective (as if they are writing). You may also include, following this, your thoughts or feelings after talking with the patient, but this is optional. Include your name, the date, and the name of the rotation on your paper. Do not include the patient's real name.

  3. Due Date: Submit (as an attached document file) your assignment to tebartza [at] ucollege [dot] edu by the end of the rotation for which it is written.

  4. Grading: Credit of 15-20 points will be given to the student if the assignment is complete and turned in prior to the start of the next rotation. No more than 50% credit will be given if the assignment is complete but submitted a week after the rotation is completed. No credit is given if the assignment is submitted after this time.

Some possible topics include a FP patient trying to quit smoking, an ER patient who is the victim of trauma, an OB patient who is a single pregnant teen, or a cardiology patient with CHF. Click here for examples of student stories.