Professional Veterinary Practice Part 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

This subject is only available to incoming study abroad and exchange students in veterinary science.

It is not available to students enrolled in an award course at the University of Melbourne.

This subject continues over two consecutive study periods, with students first enrolling in VETS40022 Professional Veterinary Practice Part 1 and then subsequently enrolling in VETS40023 Professional Veterinary Practice Part 2, for a total enrolment of 100 credit points. Students will receive an overall result for the subject following completion of the two-subject sequence.

Information provided on this page applies to Part 1 and Part 2 of the subject (VETS40022 and VETS40023).

2320 (overall total for enrolment in Part 1 and Part 2 across consecutive study periods)

Approval of the subject coordinator (completion of three years pre-clinical training within a professional 4-year DVM curriculum).

A sound understanding of structure, function and dysfunction in domestic animals, and diseases of importance in domestic animals and principles of their treatment.

None

Refer to the Core Participation Requirements statement within the course entry for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine:

https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/current/MC-DVETMED

This subject is only available to incoming study abroad and exchange students in veterinary science. This subject continues across two consecutive study periods, with students first enrolling in Part 1 and then Part 2.

This subject is undertaken as a series of 25 weeks of scheduled clinical rotations, internally within the University Veterinary Hospital and in external placements plus 20 weeks on extramural elective placements. The subject comprises 45 weeks of study.

This subject addresses and assesses the five core learning domains of Veterinary Professional Practice:

• Personal and Professional Development
• The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice
• Clinical Skills
• Ethics and Animal Welfare
• Biosecurity and Population Health

The internal rotations include training in clinical disciplines such as general practice, small animal medicine, small animal surgery, equine medicine and surgery, production animal medicine, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesiology, small animal emergency medicine, specialty clinical disciplines and pathology.

The external rotations include training in clinical disciplines such as veterinary public health, dairy cattle medicine and surgery, and shelter medicine and surgery.

Extramural rotations may be taken in sequences lasting from one to five weeks’ duration. They may be undertaken in approved veterinary practices in Australia or internationally, in government veterinary laboratories or other organisations, or in a veterinary research environment. A research project may be undertaken during extramural elective rotations.

On successful completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an extensive body of contemporary knowledge encompassing all disciplines and aspects of veterinary science
• Apply research methodology and integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question in veterinary science
• Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems that arise in practical settings and professional contexts in veterinary science and develop an integrated understanding of knowledge and practice
• Apply an understanding of the development of evidence-based practice and evidence-based methods in practical setting in veterinary science
• Recognize the importance of and utilize evidence-based methods in veterinary practice
• Investigate, evaluate, interpret and manage problems encountered as a veterinary scientist employing practical skills and the application of knowledge
• Contribute to the further advancement of veterinary knowledge and veterinary practice

This assessment statement applies to the entire enrolment across Parts 1 and 2 of the subject (i.e. VETS40022 and VETS40023 together).

Overall assessment

• Clinical rotations, extramural placements and electives; ongoing (90%)
• Research project (5000 words in manuscript format); due June (10%)

Internal and External Clinical Rotations, Extramural Electives Placements (90% of total subject assessment)

Continuous assessment of performance in the internal clinical rotations at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital and in the external clinical rotations and in the extramural elective placements. Students will be assessed in each of the five core themes of Veterinary Professional Practice.

Each of the five core themes will be equally weighted (18% each of total subject assessment). Rotation marks and feedback will be provided to the students within approximately 1 - 2 weeks of each rotation.

HURDLE REQUIREMENTS 1-5:

Satisfactory performance (defined by a mark of 60% or higher) in each of the five core themes individually, averaged across all internal and external clinical rotations, and extramural elective placements, is a hurdle requirement for this subject.

Internal and External Clinical Rotations

All students must perform satisfactorily in each of the clinical rotations. Performance appraisal is undertaken by veterinary staff supervising the rotation and generally encompasses evaluation of attendance and punctuality, theoretical knowledge, practical skills, professional demeanour, oral and written communication skills, initiative and enthusiasm. Some rotations may require submission of a short written assignment or case report, an oral presentation, and /or successful completion of objective assessment tasks as part of the assessment.

HURDLE REQUIREMENT 6:

Satisfactory performance in each of the clinical rotations is a hurdle requirement for this subject. A student who fails to satisfactorily complete any rotation (i.e. a mark of 60% or higher) may be given the opportunity to repeat that rotation once.

Extramural Elective Placements

Students must perform to a satisfactory standard (as assessed by the designated Academic Associate or Supervising Veterinarian) during each of the extramural placements.

HURDLE REQUIREMENT 7:

Achieving a pass (i.e. a mark of 50% or higher) in each of the extramural elective placements is a hurdle requirement for this subject.

A case log-book must be submitted in the required format if learning at an extramural elective placement is case-based (e.g. general and referral veterinary practices). A case log-book will comprise case record sheets of a minimum of 5 cases observed per week of placement and will illustrate the variety of cases investigated and treated over that period. Each log-book must be submitted in a neat format with the case record sheets bound or otherwise constrained within a presentation folder. All information presented in the log-book must be in English. The log-book or report must be submitted to the Faculty Academic and Clinical Programs Office. Each log-book or report will be reviewed by appropriate members of the Faculty.

A placement block report must be submitted if an extramural elective placement does not involve case-based learning (e.g. placements with the Department of Primary Industries or equivalent).

The format of the report should be agreed upon in advance with the supervising veterinarian and the Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, but is generally expected to describe the experience and achievements of the student during the placement. As a guide, the placement block report should be between four and five pages of double-spaced 12-point text.

A Research Report must be submitted where an extramural elective placement is completed in a research facility. The form of this report will vary depending of the length of the research placement. The report should include a review of current research activities of the laboratory and a description of methodologies observed in the laboratory. Where students spend more than 3 weeks in the research facility, the report should in addition include an aim, description of results obtained and discussion of the results.

HURDLE REQUIRMENT 8:

Students must submit a satisfactory case log-book, placement block report or a research report for each of the three electives.

Research Project (10% of total subject assessment)

Details to be provided to students at the start of the subject.

HURDLE REQUIREMENT 9:

Students must pass the Research Project.

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students completing this subject will:

• Be able to seek solutions to problems through the application of knowledge, the ability to initiate and integrate new ideas, an appreciation of the broad picture of science, and an understanding of the importance and application of scientific method
• Deal with integrity and honesty with professional colleagues, clients and the general public
• Demonstrate empathy and concern for animals and people
• Possess an understanding of both scientific and vocational aspects of veterinary science
• Be motivated to be a veterinarian, aware of the veterinarian’s place in society, and prepared to be a leader in the community
• Have broad knowledge of veterinary science and be able to develop intellectual and physical skills as circumstances dictate
• Be trained in all disciplines and aspects of veterinary science
• Be adaptable to changes in their specific field of employment and to advancements in veterinary science in general
• Be confident in their veterinary capabilities on day one post-graduation whilst recognising the limitations of their training
• Be aware of the global society and equipped to contribute to it
• Be a graduate of choice for employers

The requirement of students to complete extramural elective placements and some rotations on sites external to the Werribee campus may incur additional incidental costs associated with travel and/or accommodation. The amount of these incidental expenses will depend on the location of these external placements. Students should take into account expected incidental expenses prior to organising or confirming external placements.