THE VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL - 2023/4
Module code: VMS1002
Module Overview
This module will introduce you to a range of topics, also known as non-technical graduate attributes and informed by the “RCVS Day One competences”, which are essential to a successful veterinary career. These topics include: lifelong learning, working in teams, assessing evidence from the literature, self-care and stress management, communication skills, professionalism, professional ethics and acting on feedback. Teaching and learning is through online, supported self-learning, active learning workshops, self-directed activities and reflective exercises.
Module provider
School of Veterinary Medicine
Module Leader
QUEENAN Retha (Vet Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 19
Independent Learning Hours: 70
Seminar Hours: 9
Practical/Performance Hours: 32
Guided Learning: 10
Captured Content: 10
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A.
Module content
Stress recognition and self-management, when and where to seek help and / or advice
Time management and resources available to help
Critical thinking and literature evaluation, levels of evidence
Evaluation of evidence – library modules, avoiding plagiarism, SPLASH modules
Overview of the vet profession and career options
Career success and goal setting
What is a veterinary professional? Development of a professional identity
RCVS Vet ethics and certification guidelines
Social media and professionalism including email etiquette
Core Communication: skills: empathy, reflective listening, nonverbal cues and open-ended enquiry.
Calgary Cambridge model of communication plus concepts of relationship centredness: shared understanding, shared decision-making.
Scientific practice, lifelong learning, value of research
Principles of feedback
Ethical frameworks
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) | PORTFOLIO | Pass/Fail |
| Oral exam or presentation | INDIVIDUAL ONLINE PRESENTATION | 20 |
| Examination Online | ONLINE (CLOSED BOOK) MCQ AND SAQ EXAM FIXED START TIME (2 HOURS) | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
Learned methods of personal reflection
Learned ability to research a topic, critically evaluate their research and develop their academic writing skills
Learned ability to develop communication skills
Development of habits showing responsibility for their own learning outcomes and time management.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
Portfolio PASS/FAIL
Individual presentation – 20%
Written examination (Two hours duration) – 80%
Formative assessment and feedback
Formative assessment and feedback available on reflective portfolio and presentation technique
Feedback given during communication workshops
Feedback on pre-class MCQs, and during all active workshops
Module aims
- This module aims to support learners in developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for success and well-being in a career in veterinary medicine. It introduces the student to the concept of 'professionalism' and the responsibilities that flow from this and emphasises the importance of teamwork and effective communication skills.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Discuss reflective learning theory and the meaning of reflective practice and describe its importance to a veterinary professional in becoming a "life-long learner" | KCPT | RCVS 1, RCVS 5, RCVS 11, RCVS 12, RCVS 14 |
| 002 | Discuss techniques to aid learning, potential challenges to learning and ways to overcome roadblocks to learning | KCPT | RCVS 5, RCVS 11, RCVS 14 |
| 003 | Describe and be able to demonstrate ability to research a clinical question, critically evaluate information resources obtained and explain how the the information found can be used ethically. | KCPT | RCVS 3, RCVS 5, RCVS 11 KU 2 |
| 004 | Discuss the five principles of practice and professional responsibilities as listed in the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct | KCP | RCVS 1 RCVS 6 RCVS 10 RCVS 11 RCVS 20 RCVS 26 |
| 005 | Explain major categories of ethical frameworks and the relevance of ethics to the veterinary professional | KCP | RCVS 2, RCVS 45 KU12 |
| 006 | Demonstrate effective presentation techniques and an ability to explain complex information to a lay audience | CP | RCVS 17 RCVS 20 |
| 007 | Discuss the skills required for effective communication with reference to the Calgary-Cambridge guide and demonstrate the ability to take a history from an owner | KCPT | RCVS 17 RCVS 22 KU 11 |
| 008 | Describe what factors can contribute to stress in the veterinary profession, what coping strategies there are and describe what mental health and wellbeing support is available to undergraduate veterinary students if required. | KCPT | RCVS 9 RCVS 10 RCVS 13 |
| 009 | Describe theoretical aspects of team formation, why teamwork is important and demonstrate ability to participate in group situations | KCPT | RCVS 1 RCVS 19 KU 11 |
| 010 | Discuss the importance of career planning and describe career opportunities available to veterinary graduates | K | RCVS 14 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
The module will introduce the veterinary profession and give the student tools to enable them to deal with some of the personal and financial stresses that accompany veterinary training. As well the student will gain insight into accessing the literature and assessing evidence to help in their problem-based learning in other subjects and as a basis for practising evidence based-decision making.
The learning and teaching methods include:
Flipped classroom workshops
Workshops for communications, and
Use of simulations for communications training
Online modules on information and study techniques via the library Splash resource
Self-directed study to encourage reflection and experiential learning
Seminars to encourage presentation and defence of opinions
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: VMS1002
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.