Emma Read

The clinical experiences, feedback, and assessment that veterinary students receive during final year rotations have a significant impact on whether they will achieve entry-level competency at the time of graduation. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was administered to American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) member institutions to collect baseline data about current feedback and assessment practices to identify key target areas for future research and educational interventions. Responses were received from 89 faculty and 155 students distributed across 25 universities. The results indicated that there are significant gaps between evidence-based approaches for delivering feedback and assessment and what was being implemented in practice. Most feedback was provided to students in the form of end-of-rotation evaluations sometimes several weeks to months after the rotation finished when faculty were unlikely to remember specific interactions with students and there were limited opportunities for students to demonstrate progress towards addressing identified concerns. Although the most valuable type of feedback identified by students was verbal feedback delivered shortly after clinical experiences, this method was often not used due to factors such as lack of time, poor learning environments within veterinary teaching hospitals, and lack of faculty training in delivering effective feedback. The results also indicated potential challenges with how non-technical domains of competence within the AAVMC Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Framework are currently evaluated. Finding avenues to improve feedback and assessment processes in final year clinical settings is essential to ensure that veterinary students are adequately prepared for practice.

Veterinary clinical skills laboratories are used for teaching a wide range of practical, clinical, and surgical skills on models and simulators. A survey conducted in 2015 identified the role of such facilities in veterinary education in North America and Europe. The current study aimed to capture recent changes using a similar survey with three sections to collect data about the structure of the facility, its uses in teaching and assessment, and the staffing. The survey consisted of multiple choice and free text questions, was administered online using Qualtrics and was disseminated in 2021 via clinical skills networks and Associate Deans. Responses were received from 91 veterinary colleges in 34 countries; 68 had an existing clinical skills laboratory and 23 were planning to open one within 1–2 years. Collated information from the quantitative data described the facility, teaching, assessment, and staffing. Major themes emerged from the qualitative data relating to aspects of the layout, location, integration in the curriculum, contributions to student learning, and the team managing and supporting the facility. Challenges were associated with budgeting, the ongoing need for expansion and leadership of the program. In summary, veterinary clinical skills laboratories are increasingly common around the world and the contributions to student learning and animal welfare were well recognized. The information about existing and planned laboratories and the tips from those managing the facilities provides valuable guidance for anyone intending to open or expand an existing clinical skills laboratory.