Effect of different methods of selection on the background, attitudes and career plans of first year veterinary students

Heath, Trevor J; Hyams, Jennifer; Baguley, John; Abbott, K. A.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.tb12804.x

Cited by 21 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The high proportion of female students within the program is consistent with recent studies of veterinary student demographics within Australia and internationally. As reported in previous studies, a greater proportion of students in the current study was from regional or rural locations and, for the first time, we report that a substantive proportion (nearly 20%) were low SES, perhaps reflecting the over‐representation of disadvantage in small towns and geographically isolated communities . Students were from a variety of academic backgrounds, with a broad range of results evidenced in ATAR or pre‐entry GPA results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Student selection to a rural veterinary school. 2: predictors of student performance and attrition

et al. 2019

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Objective To evaluate the extent to which current selection processes at Charles Sturt University, New South Wales, Australia, predict performance within and attrition from the veterinary degree program. Design Retrospective evaluation of application details and student performance data. Methods Database records of 424 students entering the veterinary program were retrieved from university records, including all students graduating (n = 356) or leaving the program without completing (n = 68) between 2005 and 2016. Demographic data were related to results of selection processes and achievement within the degree using univariable and multivariable general linear and logistic regression analyses. Results The grade point average achieved over the 6 years of the degree was influenced by academic achievement prior to entry, gender (females performed ≈ 2% better than males) and interview scores. Preceptor evaluation of final‐year clinical performance was associated with interview scores, gender (males performed ≈ 4% better than females) and residential address at the time of application. Attrition for personal reasons was more common for female students and students who had completed a prior degree, and students who experienced academic or personal attrition had lower written application scores. Factors that have been previously linked to poor academic outcomes, including rural or low socioeconomic background, were not associated with adverse student outcomes. Conclusion Selection processes did not systematically disadvantage students admitted to the degree program. Gender differences in personal attrition and academic and clinical performance warrant further evaluation. Factors in addition to academic aptitude predicted student success.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Student selection to a rural veterinary school. 2: predictors of student performance and attrition

et al. 2019

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“…Several authors report that the decision to become a vet is taken in early childhood (Heath and others 2006, Fraser and others 2008), and the large number of students indicating ‘Something I have always wanted to do’ as a reason for choosing a veterinary degree seems to be in agreement with these findings. Choosing a medical career at an early age appears to have significance in terms of how young people commit to that choice, with early aspirations allowing for a progressive build-up of positive learning experiences, which in turn provide a goal for academic endeavour and motivation for hard work (McHarg and others 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Influences on the decision to study veterinary medicine: variation with sex and background

2010

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A questionnaire was developed to look at attitudes to veterinary medicine as a career choice among students at different stages of the veterinary course at the Royal Veterinary College. Traditional-entry first-year and final-year students, as well as entry-level 'Gateway' (widening participation) students, were invited to participate. Wanting to work with animals and exposure to a veterinary role model through taking a sick animal to visit a veterinary surgeon appeared to be major factors in choosing a veterinary career for all undergraduates, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Overall, women were more strongly influenced by owning animals (P=0.014), and men were more positively influenced by the challenging reputation of the course (P=0.028). When the students were asked to indicate their top three reasons for wanting to become a vet, men were 9.5 times as likely as women to select 'Want to train as a scientist', 5.3 times as likely to select 'Join a profession' and 13.2 times as likely to select 'Hardest course to get in to'; the top choice for both sexes was 'Want to work with animals'. Thirty-one per cent of the students felt their careers adviser had been a negative influence on their decision to become a vet.

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“…Being confronted with animal abuse is likely to be emotionally challenging for veterinarians as many are drawn to the profession by their compassion for animals (Heath et al, 2006). Domestic violence is present among all socio-economic groups however, may not be as visible to veterinarians as many women survivors will remain silent about their experiences rather than seek help (Eisikovits and Buchbinder, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is likely that being confronted with animal abuse is distressing for veterinarians as many are drawn to the profession by their compassion for animals (Heath et al, 2006). The growing proportion of female veterinarians (Lofstedt, 2003) may affect the way in which animal abuse is dealt with as research suggests women have greater empathy towards animals than men do .…”

Section: Animal Behavioural Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been found that animal abuse occurs at higher levels in homes where there is domestic violence (Ascione et al, 2007) and being confronted with animal abuse is likely to be emotionally challenging for veterinarians as many are drawn to the profession by their compassion for animals (Heath, Hyams, Baguley, and Abbott, 2006). Previous animal abuse research has mainly focussed on small animal veterinarians (e.g.…”

Section: Abstract Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating cruelty to animals in private and commercial settings

Tiplady¹

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Effect of different methods of selection on the background, attitudes and career plans of first year veterinary students

Abstract: Criteria which included actual experience with farm animals have resulted in the selection of more students who plan to enter and remain in rural mixed practice. Further studies over the longer term will be necessary to assess the extent to which these plans are realized.

Cited by 21 publications

References 9 publications

Student selection to a rural veterinary school. 2: predictors of student performance and attrition

Student selection to a rural veterinary school. 2: predictors of student performance and attrition

Influences on the decision to study veterinary medicine: variation with sex and background

Investigating cruelty to animals in private and commercial settings

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