Dick Vet staff contribute to RCVS Knowledge evidence-based veterinary medicine course

Several Dick Vet staff have contributed to the project, including Fiona Brown, Ian Handel and Louise Buckley. The new version of EBVM Learning is the product of an international collaboration with 18 leading veterinary educators and practitioners. It offers veterinary surgeons, nurses, students and educators six hours of free CPD, which cover the five stages of EBVM and an overview of its evolution.

I worked on the Acquire module with a small group of colleagues from the UK and USA. We (as the group of librarians) want to help EBVM Learning users develop the skills and strategies to effectively search for and access the information needed to answer a clinical query.

Fiona Brown

Users can progress through the six modules in order, to build a solid foundation in applying EBVM, or alternatively can access individual sections to deepen their knowledge in particular areas. Practical examples and quizzes are provided every step of the way, as well as the opportunity to download a certificate of completion.

The mobile-friendly course can also be used as a reference tool for specific aspects of EBVM, such as how to search the literature effectively, and there is an extensive thematic set of references for those who are keen to explore the subject further.

Ian Handel and I focused on revamping the ASK module, with additional input from external veterinary associates. This part of the course is focused on teaching veterinary professionals to ask clinical questions in a structured, answerable way. I think I speak for us all here at the vet school when I say it was a honour and a pleasure to be involved in a project that is so central to helping veterinary professionals across the world to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine.

Louise Buckley

The updated EBVM Learning is housed on RCVS Knowledge Learn, the charity’s new e-learning platform. RCVS Knowledge Learn provides enhanced accessibility amongst other benefits, and will become the charity’s hub for free training and resources to all veterinary practitioners and students.

Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, said: “This fresh iteration of our EBVM Learning course is the culmination of a huge amount of committed work from an international network of leaders in EBVM, and we are proud to launch it on our new, accessible platform RCVS Knowledge Learn. The course constitutes an important way in which the charity supports all veterinary practitioners to advance the quality of care they provide through evidence-based veterinary medicine, regardless of their role, location or background.”

Sarah Baillie, EBVM Learning academic lead and Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Education at the University of Bristol, added: “The update to EBVM Learning was based on extensive feedback gathered from students, practitioners and educators who had used the original version. It allowed us to improve the layout and ensure the content continued to be relevant to a wide range of veterinary professionals at all stages of their careers. We also expanded the team to have a greater international perspective with contributions from colleagues based in Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, Grenada, USA, Romania and South Africa.”

Related links

EBVM Learning can be accessed for free at http://learn.rcvsknowledge.org/ebvm-learning

About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.

The School comprises:

• The Roslin Institute
• The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
• The Roslin Innovation Centre
• The Hospital for Small Animals
• Equine Veterinary Services
• Farm Animal Services
• Easter Bush Pathology
• The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education

We represent the largest concentration of animal science related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.