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An Investigation into the Clinical Reasoning Development of Veterinary Students

Vinten, S L, C E K; Cobb, K A; Freeman, S L; Mossop, L H

Authors

C E K Vinten, S L

K A Cobb

S L Freeman

L H Mossop



Abstract

Clinical reasoning is a fundamental skill for veterinary clinicians and a competency required of graduates by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. However, it is unknown how veterinary students develop reasoning skills and where strengths and shortcomings of curricula lie. This research aimed to use the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (SVMS) as a case study to investigate the development of clinical reasoning among veterinary students. The analysis was framed in consideration of the taught, learned, and declared curricula. Sixteen staff and sixteen students from the SVMS participated separately in a total of four focus groups. In addition, five interviews were conducted with recent SVMS graduates. Audio transcriptions were used to conduct a thematic analysis. A content analysis was performed on all curriculum documentation. It was found that SVMS graduates feel they have a good level of reasoning ability, but they still experience a deficit in their reasoning capabilities when starting their first job. Overarching themes arising from the data suggest that a lack of responsibility for clinical decisions during the program and the embedded nature of the clinical reasoning skill within the curriculum could be restricting development. In addition, SVMS students would benefit from clinical reasoning training where factors influencing “real life” decisions (e.g., finances) are explored in more depth. Integrating these factors into the curriculum could lead to improved decision-making ability among SVMS graduates and better prepare students for the stressful transition to practice. These findings are likely to have implications for other veterinary curricula.

Citation

Vinten, S L, C. E. K., Cobb, K. A., Freeman, S. L., & Mossop, L. H. (2016). An Investigation into the Clinical Reasoning Development of Veterinary Students. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 43(4), https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0815-130R1

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 1, 2016
Publication Date Jun 13, 2016
Deposit Date Jan 13, 2018
Publicly Available Date Sep 3, 2018
Journal JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION
Print ISSN 0748-321X
Publisher University of Toronto Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0815-130R1
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1396500

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