Veterinary Clinical Practice: Farm Animal and Veterinary Public Health

Code

VETS5006

School

Veterinary Medicine and Science

Level

5

Credits

50

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

The final year is lecture free, with students undertaking 26 weeks of rotations at the School’s Clinical Associates and at the School. Rotations are each two weeks long and all students undertake the same set of ten “core” rotations, in addition to three “track” rotations selected according to the student’s main area of clinical interest and/or future career plans.

Each rotation has specific targeted learning outcomes. Rotations included in this module are:
•    Farm animal practice (core) – delivered at Scarsdale Veterinary Group, Lambert Leonard and May Derbyshire and Wright and Morten Veterinary Surgeons
•    Farm health skills (core) – delivered at SVMS
•    Pathology (core) – delivered through SVMS pathology service
•    One health: one welfare (core) – delivered at SVMS
•    Advanced herd health (track) – delivered at SVMS
•    Advanced farm practice (track) – delivered at a small group of leading farm practices across the UK
•    Advanced farm health skills (track) – delivered at SVMS
•    Veterinary public health (track) – delivered at SVMS, runs according to demand
 

Target Students

Restricted to students registered for the BVM BVS programme only.

Classes

• Thirty-five 1-hour placements each week for 26 weeks

This is a full year module with 26 weeks of timetabled contact time throughout the 52 weeks. Each of the 26 weeks comprises 35 hours of contact time scheduled at clinical associates and within the school. The 52 weeks for a September cohort student begins in May.

Assessment

• Inclass Exam (Practical): Rotation professionalism assessment and directly observed procedural skills
• 100% Exam (Examsys) (2-hour): Online clinical reasoning assessment

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding:
•    Demonstrate knowledge and the application of veterinary pharmacology, therapeutics and toxicology

•    Understand normal physiology, the pathological basis and clinical manifestation of disease in common animal species

•    Understand the relationship between animal health and human health, processes within the food industry, zoonotic disease and public health and associated legal and ethical implications

•    Demonstrate a knowledge of the principles of surgical techniques

•    Understand the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities required of a veterinary surgeon

•    Possess an understanding of the structure of the veterinary industry and potential career options, including the work of paraprofessionals, charities, governmental bodies and functions, and the RCVS

•    Understand Health and Safety aspects of veterinary practice

•    Understand the need for lifelong learning, the importance of continuing professional development, education, self-audit and peer review

Clinical thinking skills:
•    Possess the ability to absorb, arrange and analyse information

•    Demonstrate skills in diagnostic problem solving, and in formulation and application of treatment strategies

•    Be able to recognise, diagnose, and offer preventative healthcare advice for the common diseases of animals

•    Be able to offer medical and surgical treatment and prognoses for the common diseases of animals

•    Make informed decisions regarding most appropriate case management

•    Anticipate and manage complications associated with treatment

•    Be able to analyse ethical problems that present in practice and justify decisions that are made

Professional practical skills:
•    Be able to undertake full clinical, ante- and basic post mortem examination and diagnosis including laboratory diagnosis and analysis of common animal species

•    Be able to undertake practical techniques including anaesthesia, euthanasia, cytology, diagnostic imaging, pregnancy diagnosis, basic surgical techniques; and to manage common obstetrical and reproductive problems of common animal species

•    Be able to dispense and administer medicines to common animal species by a variety of routes

•    Be able to undertake supportive care of patients, including emergency and critical care

•    Be able to advise on husbandry, management, reproduction, nutrition, behaviour, welfare and health requirements of common species whilst considering the economics, organization, legal issues and impacts of animal-related industries ethics

•    Possess business and management skills applicable to veterinary practice management

•    Be able to provide an understandable explanation to the client of diagnosis, investigations, management options and prognosis

•    Make appropriate clinical records and complete the administrative tasks related to investigations, treatment and prescribing

Transferable key skills:
•    Possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients and with colleagues both in the veterinary profession and in other disciplines, including the ability to record information in an appropriate manner

•    Possess an ability to conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner

•    Possess an ability to conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner in a range of veterinary facilities (consulting room, surgery, laboratory, pathology room, abattoir etc)

•    Demonstrate an ability to undertake further study, critically evaluate literature and formulate independent conclusions

•    Be able to analyse and reflect on their own and others consultation and management skills

•    Be able to cope with uncertainty and be able to adapt to change whilst recognising personal limitations, and sources of advice and support and protocols

Conveners

• Dr Virginia Sherwin