| Unit name | Clinical Pathology 2 (Biochemistry and endocrinology) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | VETSM0056 |
| Credit points | 70 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Kostas Papasouliotis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
Clinical Pathology Unit 1 |
| School/department | Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
This unit will develop students’ diagnostic skills in biochemistry and endocrinology of companion and large animals through exposure to clinical cases in a veterinary clinical pathology laboratory.
In order to maximise case exposure the student is allocated to biochemistry and endocrinology together to take advantage of the clinical cases coming through the laboratory and ensure a wide range of experience. The student will spend blocks of time on study within this unit intermingled with areas of study from Unit 1 to spread the workload over the course of the year and maximise learning experiences from both units. Hence this unit will run for 12 months to allow each student to complete all specialisms within this unit.
The aim of this programme is that students will consolidate and build upon existing clinical knowledge and skills from their UG programme, and prior professional practice (for example the RCVS Professional Development Phase) in the areas of biochemistry and endocrinology and allied fields. The consolidation is necessary for them to maintain their knowledge and skillset. In order to ensure that both consolidation and the learning of new skills occurs students will need a high level of exposure to clinical cases. This will be achieved through full time immersion in clinical rotations. When all compulsory Units for this PG Diploma are taken into consideration this will result in a higher than standard number of hours of student input and this is reflected in total credit points for this PGDiploma being more than the standard 120. This will allow students to be properly equipped with the required knowledge for entry into the University of Bristol’s MSc in Veterinary Practice or similar programmes (ie analogous to senior residents) at other vet schools. Students will apply their knowledge and skills to the effective treatment and care of a range of clinical cases under the direction of veterinary specialists.
Attendance at a School based clinical seminar series will form a mandatory part of this unit and will provide additional supporting clinical and scientific knowledge.
Students will be introduced to the concepts of evidence-based veterinary medicine and its application to their clinical practice by producing an Evidence-based review based on a clinical question identified during the rotations included in the Unit. Students will be supported by academic staff for this.
Veterinary undergraduates are taught to achieve ‘Day one competency’, the minimum standard required for registration with the RCVS, and the starting point for a practising veterinary professional.
The aim of the PG Dip in Veterinary Clinical Practice (Clinical Pathology) is to develop greater knowledge and understanding of clinical pathology and clinico-laboratory diagnostics.
Overarching learning outcomes for both units include:
Consolidation of the day one level of competency in practical skills, knowledge and understanding of common biochemical and endocrinological findings in companion and farm animals.
Increased levels of knowledge and understanding to include less common conditions and those seen at a laboratory serving referral hospitals or in exotic species
Understanding of more advanced diagnostic techniques and procedures employed in this and other veterinary laboratories
An understanding of the principles and practice of quality assurance and quality control as they apply to these disciplines
Specific learning outcomes for each speciality within the Unit:
Biochemistry
Endocrinology
Seminar series 1 hour per week
Clinical pathology/ anatomic pathology clinical rounds 1 hour per week
Journal club 1 hour per month
Students will be on clinics full-time during the week while on rotation. We expect much of this time will be consolidation of prior undergraduate learning / day one level of competency. Direct contact which contributes to learning new techniques and greater knowledge and understanding while on clinical rotations will be approximately 19 hours a week.
Independent study reading round subject 4 hours/ week
Preparation and writing of evidence based review 50 hours
Contact Hours Per Week
22 hours/week average direct contact
Student Input
Contact hours including MCQ exam 550 hours
Independent study 100 hours
Evidence based review 50 hours
When combined with the second Unit on this PG Diploma it results in a total credit point of 140. This is higher than the standard expectation of 120 and this is justified within the paperwork above.
Assessment Outline
| Clinical competency | 4 x CbD | During second half of year |
| Practical laboratory skills | Reflective skills log | Throughout rotations |
| MCQ | 25 questions delivered | June |
| Evidence-based review | 1 | June |
Biochemistry
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology, 2nd edition. Eds Villiers and Blackwood BSAVA, Glocs
Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology 2nd edition, Stockham and Scott, Blackwell
Clinical biochemistry of Domestic Animals 6th edition, Kaneko, Harvey and Bruss, Elsevier
Equine Clinical Pathology, Walton R.M., Wiley Blackwell
Endocrinology
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology, 2nd edition. Eds Villiers and Blackwood BSAVA Glocs
Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology 2nd edition, Stockham and Scott, Blackwell
Clinical biochemistry of Domestic Animals 6th edition, Kaneko, Harvey and Bruss, Elsevier
