Small Animal Clinical Practice - Core Surgery (C-SACP.2)

Code

VETS4074

School

Veterinary Medicine and Science

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn UK, Spring UK, Summer UK

Summary

This module considers:  
 
- Surgical energy devices  
- Exploratory coeliotomy  
- Surgical oncology  
- Wound closure  
- Wound management  
- Principles and practice of laparoscopic surgery  
- Principles and practice of imaging in surgery  
- Principles and practice of orthopaedic surgery 

Target Students

UK registered veterinary surgeons who meet the entry requirements contained in the supplementary regulations

Assessment

• Coursework 1: Chronological case log: Relevant cases recorded to demonstrate continual engagement with the area of practice throughout the module. Cases to demonstrate breadth of understanding within the subject area and how the majority of module learning outcomes have been addressed. Content should be factually accurate, with appropriate and justified case outcomes. (20 cases)
• Coursework 2: Skills audit and reflection: Candidates to perform a skills audit at the start of the module, reflecting on their current clinical competence and establishing personal learning objectives by identifying at least 5 skills relevant to the subject area they would like to target. These skills should be graded from 1 (weak) to 5 (strong). At the end of the module, these skills should be graded again and the candidate should reflect on their development during the module. If skills haven’t improved, they should consider why not and demonstrate a clear plan to continue clinical progress in this area. Candidates should reflect critically on their case log, providing evidence of their learning within the subject area, and their professional development in the context of their own working environment. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to reflect on broader areas and concepts relevant to the profession and subject matter.(800-1000 words)
• 50% Coursework 3: Case report: Candidates to select a case to write as a detailed case report. Case to have a clear and coherent structure, including where relevant, signalment, case presentation, problem list and differential diagnoses, investigations, diagnosis, case management and outcome/follow up. The case to include a discussion with appropriate referencing. Critique of evidence referred to should also be included. The case to include a reflective element, so that areas of learning and professional development are clearly evident. The case will demonstrate factually accurate content and be of sufficient depth of knowledge to demonstrate attainment of the core skills and achievement of the relevant module learning outcomes. (1500 words excluding references)
• 50% Coursework 4: Case report: Candidates to select a case to write as a detailed case report. Case to have a clear and coherent structure, including where relevant, signalment, case presentation, problem list and differential diagnoses, investigations, diagnosis, case management and outcome/follow up. The case to include a discussion with appropriate referencing. Critique of evidence referred to should also be included. The case to include a reflective element, so that areas of learning and professional development are clearly evident. The case will demonstrate factually accurate content and be of sufficient depth of knowledge to demonstrate attainment of the core skills and achievement of the relevant module learning outcomes. (1500 words excluding references)
• Coursework 5: Journal review: A critical review of a published paper relating to the relevant discipline, comprising an oral presentation and a short written submission. The critique should enable the candidate to determine the paper’s relevance to their practice (500-1000 words).

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Intellectual
•    Enhance the depth and breadth of the candidate’s knowledge, understanding and performance of soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic surgery in dogs and cats including pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnostic approach and rational therapy  

•    Use available resources to achieve optimum results in their practice circumstances in relation to general surgical cases  

Professional
•    Critically appraise and reflect on current working practices within the disciplines of small animal surgery  
•    Recognise when a case is truly unusual or beyond their personal or practice capabilities, and provide an effective channel of referral where appropriate 

Transferrable
•    Review and constructively criticise current literature relating to the discipline to enable them to determine its relevance to their current practice  
•    Reflect on the outcomes of their clinical work, using this process to improve performance   

Conveners

• Mrs Anna Strong
• Professor Rob White