Program Overview

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Course Overview

The Professional Development 2 course, LAMS 542, is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for success in the veterinary profession. This course is the second of six courses within the curriculum focused on professional development.

Course Details

• Course Director: Adria Rodriguez, DVM, MSc, CVA, CVCH, MS TCVM
• Faculty and Staff Information: The course is led by a team of experienced faculty members, including Dr. Kerri Nigito, Dr. Adria Rodriguez, Dr. Austin Kirwan, Dr. Talia Guttin, Dr. Stacey Byers, and Dr. Heather Douglas.
• Course Location: David Brown Hall and live online on Zoom
• Required Resources:
  • Equipment: Desktop or laptop computer, and/or tablet or other smart mobile device; functional camera, speakers, and microphone
  • Software requirements: Sakai, Zoom, Panopto, Turning Point Mobile, Google Drive, Google Slides
• Recommended Resources: Text: The Art of Veterinary Practice Management, 2nd ed., 2014; M. Opperman

Accommodation

Students with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Accommodations Services (SAAS).

Course Rationale

This course is designed to provide students with experiential learning methods, exposing them to topics and skills related to personal development, self-care, ethics and animal welfare, communication skills, business and financial literacy, and evidence-based veterinary medicine.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to discuss and model the fundamentals and skills covered in the six professional development domains.

Lesson Learning Outcomes

Domain 1- Personal Development:

1. Compose a professional letter of intent
2. Construct professional curriculum vitae
3. Discuss non-traditional careers in veterinary medicine

Domain 2- Wellness:

1. Define the meaning of the practice of mindfulness
2. Describe the benefits of practicing mindfulness
3. Apply mindfulness principles to personal and professional life
4. Define self-compassion
5. Describe the benefits of applying self-compassion
6. Apply self-compassion to personal life and in a professional setting
7. Define QPR
8. Apply QPR/Kognito Principles
9. Apply prevention, intervention, and postvention in a crisis

Domain 3-Ethics and Welfare:

1. Differentiate between clinical care and research
2. Discuss the role of clinical research and trials
3. Evaluate the function of journal clubs in practice
4. Describe the components of EBVM
5. Evaluate the value of each component
6. Introduce the concept of lifelong learning
7. Determine opportunities for learning
8. Appraise the learning required by regulatory bodies
9. Identify who you communicate with nonverbally
10. Develop the links between stakeholders in nonverbal communication
11. Understand the consequences of incorrect or lack of communication
12. Diagnose the pathology of a communication breakdown
13. Manage and develop clinical governance systems
14. Determine how money is accounted for in a business
15. Analyze practice accounts to determine how one can ethically manage money while ensuring animal welfare

Domain 4- Communication:

1. Be introduced to the basics of clinical communication
2. Identify appropriate non-verbal communication skills
3. Discuss the key components of initiating a client interaction
4. Define feedback and review guidelines for giving and receiving it effectively
5. Complete an effective client interview
6. Practice giving feedback to peers
7. Practice receiving feedback from faculty coaches, peers, and simulated clients
8. Engage in self-assessment techniques

Domain 5-Business and Financial Literacy:

1. Understand basic financial terminology and theory
2. Perform a self-assessment of the personal budget

Domain 6-Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine:

1. Demonstrate how to search a database to answer a PICO question
2. Identify resources and tools available for literature search
3. Obtain articles in full text
4. Identify the significance and key components of a literature review
5. Identify the significance and function of style guides
6. Recognize the importance of professional writing in research
7. Identify the importance of how to present research

Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Program Learning Outcomes

The course learning outcomes align with the program learning outcomes, including demonstrating effective communication, ethical and responsible behavior, leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.

Course Schedule

The course schedule includes lectures, activities, and assignments, with specific topics and faculty members assigned to each week.

Grading and Assessment Policy

The course will be graded Pass/Fail, with a passing grade requiring completion of all assignments and achieving a minimum score of 69.5%.

Evaluation

The evaluation includes various assignments, such as QPR Training, EBVM Assignment, BFL Forums, BFL Assignment, CV/Letter of Intent Assignment, Communication Lab Participation, and Professionalism evaluation.

Assignments

1. Domain 1 Personal Development: CV and Letter of Intent Workshop and Mentor Meeting
2. Domain 2 Wellness: QPR Certificate
3. Domain 3 Ethics and Welfare: Professional Development Mentor Group Meeting
4. Domain 4 Communication: Communication Skills Communication Labs with Simulated Clients
5. Domain 5 Business and Financial Literacy: Forums x 2 and 1 assignment
6. Domain 6 Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine: Assignment

Grading Rubrics

The grading rubrics for the CV and Letter of Intent assignments, as well as the Professionalism rubric, are provided to guide student performance.

Recommended Study Strategies

Students are advised to visit the weekly requirements tab in Sakai to ensure completion of all necessary requirements and use the checklist to stay on track.

Instructor's Expectations of the Student

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines provided, including attendance, engagement, and assignment submission, and communicate professionally and in a timely manner.

Professionalism Statement

Students are expected to exhibit professional and respectful behavior towards colleagues, faculty, and staff.

Attendance/Participation Policy

Attendance to lectures is mandatory, and students are expected to be available during the standard school day to attend and engage with in-person/online content.

Policy Regarding Missing Examinations and/or Failure of Submission of Assignments

Students who fail to attend an examination or submit an assignment without a valid reason will receive a score of "0" points.

Copyright Policy

The materials provided to students are the intellectual property of the Faculty and/or Administration of St. George's University, and students are free to use these materials solely for the purpose of group or individual study.