Outline

Overview

This unit of study incorporates multiple aspects of equine practice, including anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, medicine, sports medicine, reproduction and surgery, with a strong focus on the primary care aspects of equine practice. The placement experience includes a range of routine clinical activities, rounds, tutorials and practical classes, designed to provide a balance between clinical and didactic learning opportunities. This placement is part of an integrated approach to the delivery of equine practice related content over the four years of the DVM programme, the over-arching aim of which is to prepare DVM graduates with the day-one knowledge, skills and attitudes required to succeed in the equine clinical environment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	VETS6405
Academic unit	School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108 and VETS6201 and VETS6202 and VETS6203 and VETS6204 and VETS6205 and VETS6206 and VETS6207 and VETS6208 and VETS6301 and VETS6302 and VETS6303 and VETS6304 and VETS6305 and VETS6306 and VETS6307 and VETS6308 and VETS6309 and VETS6310 and VETS6311 and VETS6312 and VETS6313
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	All content from Years 1, 2, and 3 of the DVM
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sara Biasutti, sara.biasutti@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Sara Biasutti, sara.biasutti@sydney.edu.au
	Elizabeth Tee, elizabeth.tee@sydney.edu.au
	Marta Wereszka, marta.wereszka@sydney.edu.au
	Robin Bell, robin.bell@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Participation in presentation rounds 1. Presentation	0%	Multiple weeks	15 min presentation with 5-10 min Q&A.
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Anatomy quiz Equine anatomy quiz - knowledge on common equine anatomical structures	0%	Multiple weeks	10-15min
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Attendance/Participation with RLAs Engagement in Required Learning Activities (RLAs).	0%	Ongoing	4 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Activity log Completed log of all cases participated in during placement.	0%	Ongoing	4 weeks - online and/or in hospital
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Sonia skills log Adequately fulfill the Equine skills log - See Canvas	0%	Progressive	4 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Supervisor Report Form (SRF) Report from supervisors - See Canvas	0%	Progressive	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Individual online summative examination MCQ; assessment of application of knowledge relevant to equine practice	0%	Week 03	30 minute Canvas online quiz (20 Qs)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Feedback forms Completion feedback form on placement website	0%	Week 04	n/a - online and/or in hospital
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. See the 2022 DVM4 Student Attendance and Assessment Guide.
1.    Activity log - Use the Activity log template found in Canvas
2.    Placement/Rotation Feedback Form
3.    Communication Task
4.    Supervisor Report Form
Submission of the 2 Barrier tasks must be completed by no later than 11:59pm AEST on the last day of the placement or sub-rotation.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to submit on time and satisfactory barrier tasks will delay finalisation of the assessment of the Unit of Study until such time that satisfactory forms are submitted through Canvas.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Week 1 orientation and compulsory biosecurity test	Clinical practice (1 hr)
	Hospital treatments	Clinical practice (8 hr)
	Morning intern/residents presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
	Hospital rounds	Clinical practice (5 hr)
	Daily clinical activities (in hospital patients, outpatients, ambulatory, emergencies, tutorials)	Clinical practice (24 hr)
	Case rounds with Prof Emertius Leo Jeffcort and senior clinicians	Clinical practice (1 hr)
	Anaesthesia tutorial	Clinical practice (2 hr)
Week 02	Hospital treatments	Clinical practice (8 hr)
	Morning intern/residents presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
	Hospital rounds	Clinical practice (5 hr)
	Daily clinical activities (in hospital patient, outpatients, ambulatory, emergencies, tutorials)	Clinical practice (24 hr)
	Mystery rounds with Prof Emertius Leo Jeffcott and senior clinicians	Clinical practice (1 hr)
	Friday communication tasks	Clinical practice (1 hr)
Week 03	Hospital treatments	Clinical practice (8 hr)
	morning intern/residents presentations	Clinical practice (2 hr)
	Hospital rounds	Clinical practice (5 hr)
	Daily clinical activities (in hospital patient, outpatients, ambulatory, emergencies, tutorials)	Clinical practice (24 hr)
	Anaesthesia practical class at Horse Unit	Clinical practice (2 hr)
Week 04	Clinical activities after-hours (in hospital patient, outpatients, ambulatory, emergencies, tutorials)	Clinical practice (34 hr)
	Handover after-hours team	Clinical practice (2 hr)
	Friday communication tasks	Clinical practice (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Clinical exposure is a key component of all parts of the DVM but especially year 4, and attendance is required at all activities on each of the required days of final year rotations.

Failure to attend irrespective of the reason will require the student to attend additional days and in the case of unexplained or unapproved absences, may result in a failed grade for the rotation. Students are required to engage and participate in learning opportunities including clinical consultations, patient care, diagnostic procedures, rounds presentations and discussions and by completing assignments.

For the duration of the placement there is a minimal compulsory attendance.
Students must inform UoS Coordinator if unable to attend
A medical certificate will be required for any absence due to illness

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Munroe, G and Weese, S (eds), Manson, 2011'

There will be eResources or resources available on the UoS Canvas website.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Apply previously gathered knowledge form the veterinary course (clinical anatomy, clinical examination techniques, biosecurity principles, disease knowledge, pharmacology, bacteriology, imaging, clinicopathology, etc) into a practical equine clinical case-based scenario, that leads to the student being able to develop an appropriate diagnostic (including the interpretation of basic test results), therapeutic and preventive plans.
LO2. Develop and demonstrate competency in professional communication skills in equine practice, including taking a history from a client, communication with clients and colleagues, complete and maintain an accurate medical record, working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of services, developing an acceptable professional code of conduct, and demonstrating the ability to cope with incomplete information / contingencies and to adapt to change.
LO3. Apply previously gathered knowledge, develop and demonstrate competency in technical skills that are common in equine practice, such as intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections; administration of oral medications, basic routine diagnostic imaging modalities such as radiology and ultrasonography, correct sampling for laboratory analysis, handling and restraining a horse, prescribe and dispense medicines, wear PEP and surgical attire, aseptic technique.
LO4. Be aware of and understand the ethical, legislative, economical and emotional context of equine veterinary medicine and be able to work within this frame. Demonstrate to recognize and effectively deal with scenarios of pain, suffering, animal welfare issues, inadequate nutritional status, and euthanasia.
LO5. Develop a good professional knowledge and understand how to keep up to date, including understanding and applying the concepts of evidence based veterinary medicine, evaluation of literature, lifelong learning, and self-audit. Demonstrate that they recognize personal and professional limits and know how to seek advice/assistance.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Actions taken since end of 2020: The equine unit has remodelled to be more focused in delivering day one competency teaching and learning experience to the DVM 4 students based on the UoS feedback received by the students, who have stated that the ambulatory rotation is the most relevant and enjoyable week of the entire UoS. Some structure still remains in the 2021 UoS and are as outlined below: 1) Formalised afternoon rounds: to discuss cases at the end of the day, every afternoon with a different service - this will remain in 2021 2) Communication to students: a. weekly debriefs with UoS Coordinator or other senior clinician b. individual support when needed. This will be improved with the addition of a SRES portal into Canvas (Teacher "insight") for continued pastoral support c. Orientation will be online using Canvas and orientation information to be delivered 4 days prior to start of rotation for adequate student engagement, Q&A to UoS coordinator if required. Orientation video will be delivered through voice over PowerPoint, created with Canvas studio that is available on CANVAS. Apart from orientation video and a short guide on how to navigate VETS6405 Canvas page, other videos available will include 'How to' use PPE for zoonotic disease cases training session, 'How to' use the medical record system RX Works, and a short virtual tour of the equine hospital. 3) Changes in the rotation - Introduction of a wellness day will continue in 2021 - Shorter days - ECC week will be abolished and converted to a more realistic ambulatory on call experience. Students will not be required to stay in hospital for blocks of time to perform in hospital treatments, rather they are on a call back basis when an ambulatory call out is required. 4) Minor changes in assessment task - MCQ examination that was started in 2020 will continue in 2021 with expansion of question bank in 2021 - Reduce the amount of repetitive tasks - to drop one of the oral presentation task - Improve remaining case rounds presentation task to have better learning experience with improved expectations, instructions, exemplars and clear marking rubrics. Formal feedback will be provided to this assessment base on marking rubric. - Additional SONIA skill to be embedded into the list include "writing a medical record for an ambulatory patient" and "being involved in diagnostic imaging procedure and interpretation of the results" to reflect the changes of the equine hospital.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

VETS6405: Large Animal Clinics A

Semester 1, 2022 [Professional practice] - Camden, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect