VETM802B

041468

The Professional Skills coursework (VETM 802A, 802B, 802C, and 802D) represents four consecutive semesters of interactive learning designed to introduce students to key occupational attributes that are required for success in clinical practice. In VETM 802B, students will add onto their foundational knowledge from VETM 802A and continue to apply core content from the Systems-Based coursework to their study of professionally relevant skills. The spring semester is built around the Musculoskeletal and Vital Circuitry.

In-class large group discussions will emphasize how the practice of veterinary medicine relates to these body systems. For example, during the Musculoskeletal unit, students will discuss how to discern whether poor muscle condition and body condition are the by-product of a diseased state or abuse/neglect. Students will learn how to converse with clients about the ethics of breeding animals with known inherited diseases. Students will discuss referral cases: when is it appropriate to perform in-house orthopedic surgeries and when is it considered standard of care to refer to board-certified surgeons?

During the Cardio-Respiratory-Renal unit, students will explore how to explain abnormal cardiac findings on the physical exam to clients. Students will learn to perform cost-benefit ratios in clinical practice concerning different diagnostic tests: when is it beneficial to perform FAST cardiac ultrasounds in-house to evaluate critical patients for pericardial fluid and when is it considered standard of care to refer for comprehensive echocardiography? Students will explore the pros and cons of different urine collection methods and how to explain their diagnostic recommendations to clients. Students will evaluate renal diets: what is the current evidence and how to facilitate conversations about prescription diets with clients.

Emphasis will be placed on crucial conversations in clinical practice: the value of diagnostic tests, the value of referral, the pros and cons of different imaging modalities, and how to evaluate screening tests. Additional thematic elements include interpersonal skills, professional behavior, ethics, and how to communicate effectively with all members of the veterinary team (employers, colleagues, support staff, and veterinary clients). Instructional sessions on clinic conversations will advance students' understanding of foundational Calgary-Cambridge communication skills and allow students multiple opportunities to practice these skills in simulated encounters with standardized clients. Simulated encounters will include every day clinic dialogues, such as comprehensive and focused history-taking, estimate sharing, explanation of physical exam findings, and review of the diagnostic and/or treatment plans. As students develop proficiency in foundational communication skills, their encounters with standardized clients will advance in difficulty.

Sessions from VETM 802A, which introduced financial acuity and student debt, practice management, contract negotiation, work-life balance, mental health and wellbeing will be expanded upon to provide students with a layered approach to professional and personal wellness beyond vet school.

PNP - Pass/Fail

Veterinary Medicine