Teaching Techniques 201

This course equips clinical preceptors—often busy clinicians without formal teaching training—with essential strategies for effective student instruction. Through focused modules on patient presentation and modeling techniques, preceptors will learn to guide learners using best practices in clinical reasoning, communication, and progressive skill development.

Target Audience

This course is designed for Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Design a structured approach for students to prepare and deliver clinical patient presentations.
  • Guide students in performing a comprehensive clinical evaluation and presenting patient assessments in chronological order.
  • Explain the six steps of the modeling teaching strategy and analyze how each step facilitates clinical skill acquisition.
  • Demonstrate the “think aloud” technique to illustrate clinical reasoning and effective communication during patient care.
  • Apply guided practice principles to support learners’ progression from observation to supervised participation, fostering independent clinical performance.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
10/10/2025
Course expires: 
10/10/2028
Pitt Canvas Course
United States

Course Directors:

  • Julie Dubis, MPAS, PA-C - Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Amy Haller, MPAS, PA-C, MBA - Vice Chair for Professional Development and Continuing Education, Visiting Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Alexa Llewellyn, PA-C  - The Work Center, UPMC
  • Hayden Mulligan, MS, PA-C - Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Tammie Payne, MSN, CRNP, CDCES, CPT, FNP-C - Nurse Practitioner/ Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist/ Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management at UPMC

Planning Committee: 

  • Alexandrea Bartow, MBA, MSN, ACNP-BC, RN, CSSGB- Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Julie Dubis, MPAS, PA-C - Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Paul Phrampus, MD, FACEP -Professor, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh; Director, Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER); Medical Director Patient Safety, UPMC Health System


Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Please login or register to take this course.

The content for this training is not hosted on this website, please access the training via School of Health and Rehab Sciences website for all con ed offerings: 

https://shrscontinuingeducation.pitt.edu/programs-department/physician-assistant-studies

This site is only to be used to complete the evaluation and receive the credits and certificate of completion.

You should log in or register here only after you review the educational content for this course.