VETERINARY MEDICINE 1 - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module introduces the student to the concepts of pharmacology, anaesthesiology, surgery and imaging as they are relevant to veterinary practice. This module also presents the clinical conditions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary and alimentary systems across the species, the means of their diagnosis and their therapy both with medical and surgical interventions. By presenting conditions across the species, the commonality of disease process and similarities of therapies are illustrated. The species specific therapies will also be highlighted.

Module provider

School of Veterinary Medicine

Module Leader

HICKLING-PETERS Hayley (Vet Med)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Successful completion of all first and second year BVMSci units

Module content

• Principles of Pharmacology

Lectures will introduce the pharmacological theory and the legal regulations underpinning medicines use in veterinary practice.

• Principles of Anaesthesia

Lectures will describe the pharmacology of anaesthetic, sedative and analgesic drugs, their safe and effective use and perioperative patient management. The clinical skills essential to the practice of anaesthesia will be taught in the practical class.

• Principles of Imaging

Lectures will introduce the theory behind imaging practice, provide knowledge of radiation safety and discuss the acquisition, interpretation and reporting of images. Patient positioning, preparation and safe use of xray and ultrasound equipment will be reinforced in a practical class.

• Principles of Surgery

Lectures will provide the knowledge unpinning the practice of surgery and discuss the use of surgery in specific situations. The basic clinical skills used in the practice of surgery will be taught in the practical class.

• Integumentary system

Lectures will introduce the approach to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dermatological conditions. The clinical skills associated with dermatological examination and management of dermatological cases will be taught in the practical classes.

• Alimentary system

Lectures will introduce the approach to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of alimentary conditions. Diagnostic and interventional techniques related to the alimentary tract (including small animal and equine dentistry) will be taught in the practical classes.

• Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems

Lectures will introduce the approach to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Assessment of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and clinical skills related to cardiorespiratory medical and surgical interventions will be taught in the practical classes.

• Musculoskeletal system

Lectures will introduce the approach to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. Clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system, including lameness assessment will be taught alongside clinical skills related to further diagnosis and treatment in this area

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Practical skills


• That they have taken full responsible for their own learning


• Teamwork and participation in group learning both in the practical sessions and group presentations


• Content knowledge relating to the subject areas of module units

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Written Examination: Multiple Choice Questions – 30% (90 minutes)


• Written Examination: Short Answer Questions – 70% (120 minutes)


• Portfolio – PASS/FAIL

To pass the module students are required to achieve a weighted aggregate mark of 50% in the Written Examinations and obtain a pass in the Portfolio.

In order to obtain a pass in the Portfolio students must complete all of the following elements:

• Clinical Skills Log (completion of peer led clinical skills log)


• Anaesthesia and Surgery Online Learning (completion of timetabled self paced online learning)


• Clinical Record Writing (submission of written work and completion of peer feedback on the submission of another student)


• In Class Test (completion of formative online test)


• Grand Rounds (submission of group work and attendance at presentations)


• Clinical Examination Assessment (pass both the equine examination pass/fail assessment and ruminant examination pass/fail assessment)

Module aims

• Prepare the students for the transition to practice in the areas above by giving them practical skills and the theory under pinning the practice.
• Ensure that they are safe in the operation of ‘basic’ imaging equipment prior to beginning their clinical EMS
• Ensure that the students will understand how to safely conduct themselves in an operating theatre, use appropriate attire, self-positioning and movements
• Ensure safe behaviour and operation in the handling of medicines including anaesthetic drugs and associated equipment
• Give students the skills to diagnose, treat and give a prognosis for diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary and alimentary systems in equine, production, companion animal and non-traditional companion animal species
• Introduce the therapeutic drugs used for conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary and alimentary systems.
• Introduce the basic surgical treatments for common conditions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary and alimentary systems.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide hands on facility in each of the areas of the course

• Provide a safe supportive environment to learn these essential skills prior to starting EMS

• Ensure that students understand the legal and workplace requirements prior to being placed in a clinical setting

• Provide deep understanding of the clinical conditions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary and alimentary systems – the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

• Highlight the similarities of the disease processes across the species and allow the concept of One Health – One Medicine to be considered for some conditions.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures, flipped classroom, small group sessions, case based scenarios, practical classes using real and simulated equipment, models, image video and audio libraries

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: VMS3010

Other information

None

Programmes this module appears in

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.