Clinical problem solving examinations used in 4th and 5th year veterinary undergraduate training at Murdoch

Authors: Glyde M
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Education, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Veterinary clinicians use advanced observational, critical thinking and problem-solving skills routinely as part of their clinical practice. Communication, observation, analysis, evaluation, inference, intervention and re-evaluation are fundamental clinical veterinary skills. These skills need to be employed appropriately in a time and finance limited situation. These complex skills unsurprisingly cover the transferable and common skills that students should acquire during any higher education degree. These include communication skills, information technology management and literacy skills (evaluation, analysis and application), people skills and personal skills.1 Veterinary practice is increasingly a digital environment with electronic record systems including digital archiving and transmission of radiographs, ultrasound, CT scans, surgical and diagnostic video and pathology reports amongst others. Veterinary graduates are in the minority of university graduates in that most remain within their academic degree discipline after graduation. For this reason potential veterinary employers expect veterinary graduates to possess not only the transferable and common “generic” employment skills but also to be able to “hit the ground running” on day 1 being competent in relevant discipline specific skills.

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