Today's students are tomorrow's professionals
Abstract
I recently attended VetEd 2017 – the annual Veterinary Education Symposium. Hosted by a different veterinary school each year, this year it was held at the University of Liverpool. Many veterinary conferences place their emphasis on providing continued professional development (CPD) for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in practice; highlighting recent knowledge and skills within the industry and showcasing new developments in veterinary equipment and practice management. These highly valuable sources of CPD and networking for veterinary professionals and students, however, do not bridge the gap between education, teaching and student learning experiences and the workplace.
Initially established by educators for educators, the VetEd symposium captures a unique angle among veterinary conferences by focusing on the education and future careers of veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse students. Addressing topics such as ‘Gamification — can we make learning fun?’ and ‘Curriculum interventions to support professional reasoning’, the symposium includes poster sessions, workshops and key note speakers. A debate also took place discussing ‘Transition into the workplace — is it the job of the vet schools or the professionals?’
As a provider of veterinary parasitology resources, ESCCAP UK & Ireland recognises how important it is to support the veterinary profession from students right through to practice owners and beyond. Just as it is equally important to support professionals throughout the entire veterinary and animal care professions from veterinary surgeons to veterinary nurses, SQPs (Suitable Qualified Persons), practice receptionists, managers and more.
More than ever before, UK veterinary and animal care professionals need to work together to uphold UK biosecurity and to protect the health of our pets and the public. On a grander scale, the veterinary profession needs to be working with the human medical professions and governing bodies to further address the issue of biosecurity, something which is greatly advocated through the ‘One Health’ initiative. Importation of exotic disease is not the only challenge facing us which requires cross profession collaboration: Babesia canis is now considered to be endemic to the UK but has not yet, to our knowledge, spread around the country, and Lyme disease poses a significant threat to public health, as does toxocarosis.
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