Clinical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Preparation for Practice
VETM 5311
2-6 hours
Clinical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Preparation for Practice
Course Description
Building on skills and knowledge from the first two years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and using an integrated and case-based approach, students will practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills to arrive at evidence-based decisions that consider animal, herd, and client needs, available resources, ethics, and social context.
Athena Title
Clin Rsng Dec Mkng Prep Prac
Pre or Corequisite
Enrollment in the third year of the doctor of veterinary medicine curriculum
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will be able to collect patient information, synthesize, and prioritize problems to arrive at differential diagnosis(es), irrespective of the species, body system(s) affected, or presenting clinical complaint.
Students will be able to triage problems and address in order of importance.
Students will be able to create and adjust diagnostic and therapeutic plans that present a spectrum of options.
Students will be able to recognize limitations, adjust plan(s) to address unexpected complications, and identify when consultation or referral is warranted.
Students will be able to apply hospital policies in the clinical setting.
Students will be able to efficiently and effectively navigate the University of Georgia’s veterinary teaching hospital’s patient management and treatment software programs.
Students will be able to apply non-technical competencies to different clinical situations (in a didactic setting).
Topical Outline
Course introduction
Review of clinical reasoning, use of diagnostic algorithms, and differentials lists
Triage and emergency decisions
Spectrum of care
Practice with cases
Orientation to hospital policies
Patient management and treatment software training and application
