Development of International Learning Outcomes for Shelter Medicine in Veterinary Education: A Delphi Approach

Abstract

Shelter medicine is a veterinary discipline of growing importance. Formally accepted as a clinical specialty in the US in 2014, the practice of shelter medicine worldwide is expanding. As a topic in veterinary pre-registration (undergraduate) education, it is frequently used as an opportunity to teach primary care skills, but increasingly recognized as a subject worthy of teaching in its own right. The aim of this study was to use a Delphi consensus methodology to identify learning outcomes relevant to shelter medicine education. Shelter medicine educators worldwide in a variety of settings, including universities, non-governmental organizations and shelters were invited to participate. Participants were initially invited to share shelter medicine teaching materials. These were synthesized and formatted into Learning Outcomes (LOs) based on Bloom’s taxonomy and organized into five subject-specific domains. Participants were then asked to develop and evaluate the identified LOs in two rounds of online surveys. Consensus was determined at > 80% of panelists selecting “agree” or “strongly agree” in response to the statement “please indicate whether you would advise that it should be included in a shelter medicine education program” for each LO. In the second survey, where re-wording of accepted LOs was suggested, preference was determined at > 50% agreement. Through this method, 102 agreed LOs have been identified and refined. These LOs, as well as those which did not reach consensus, are presented here. These are intended for use by shelter medicine educators worldwide, to enable and encourage the further development of this important veterinary discipline.

A Qualitative Analysis of Clinical Year Veterinary Student Journal Entries for a Shelter Medicine Rotation

“…The authentic learning experiences offered by shelter medicine can meet many gaps in veterinary medical curricula and is also a critical competency for veterinary graduates ( 22 ). To our knowledge, this is the first paper utilizing qualitative analysis to gain a veterinary student perspective on authentic learning experiences and their impacts during a shelter medicine rotation.…”

“…Internationally, there are considerable differences between shelter medicine curriculums. Shelter medicine education abroad has traditionally been utilized to teach primary care skills, but is becoming more recognized as a subject worth teaching in it is own right ( 22 ). This recognition is apparent by the development of international learning outcomes for shelter medicine in veterinary medical curriculums which include the shelter medicine topics listed above ( 22 ).…”

The Adaptation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to the Hierarchy of Dogs’ Needs Using a Consensus Building Approach

“…When used in research on similar subject matter to the current study, the range of the number of experts involved has been wide. For example, in a study by Griffin [ 44 ], four experts were used, whereas a study by Stavisky et al [ 45 ] had an initial panel of 48 experts. Since its development, the Delphi method has been used in a wide range fields of study, such as animal welfare, information systems, and human healthcare to achieve this goal, e.g., [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Identifying Benefits, Challenges, and Options for Improvement of Veterinary Work-Based Learning in Bangladesh

“…Food and Drug Administration), and in laboratory and research institutes. 8,22,23 In South America,external workplacements are also common in the curriculum, mostly at private veterinary clinics and on farms. 24 In South Asian countries, veterinary schools offer a diverse range of placements, including at government veterinary hospitals, private clinics, farms and research organizations.…”