THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : Veterinary Sciences

Postgraduate Course: Soft Tissue Surgery A (C-SAS.2) (VESC11137)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis module is the first of two modules covering Soft Tissue Surgery. The objective of this module is to promote a scientific, evidence based approach to small animal surgery, and to help candidates develop both practical and theoretical skills in the field.
Course description This assessment-only course is the first of two modules covering Soft Tissue Surgery. The objective of this module is to promote a scientific, evidence based approach to small animal surgery, and to help candidates develop both practical and theoretical skills in the field. The candidate is expected to build on the foundation skills developed when undertaking the A and B modules of the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, and to demonstrate progression towards advanced practitioner skills. The candidate will be able to evaluate their own standards of practice and develop strategies for continuous improvement in the future.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 98 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) The assessment of this module will comprise two separate components, a learning diary and case log plus a case book of four cases.

1. Learning diary and case log

Two separate documents are required:
1. A learning diary documenting learning resources such as CPD meetings, RCVS library, seeing practice used during the period of study for this module.

2. A case log of 50 soft tissue surgical cases. These do not need to be consecutive and should NOT include incisional biopsies and elective neutering.

Cases that have multiple procedures performed can be included more than once providing that each case appears only once for each period of general anaesthesia.

The case log and learning diary should be submitted for initial assessment. The examiner will assess the case log for the range of cases. Case logs which include at least 7 out of 8 of the following prescribed cases and meet the other requirements for submission will be accepted.

Prescribed cases:
Skin surgery (including mastectomy + reconstructive techniques) 2 cases
Ear surgery 2 cases
Upper airway and tracheal surgery 1 case
Oncological surgery (may include additional skin cases that have necessitated simple flaps, grafts or complex reconstructions)
3 cases

Case logs coming close to but failing to meet these requirements (for example 6 out 8 prescribed cases) can be submitted for review but the candidate may be asked to provide additional evidence of a suitable case load before progressing further or may be asked to resubmit an amended case log at a later date.

The case log should start from when candidate registers for this module. This is to demonstrate the range of cases seen by the candidate while studying for the module. The candidate must select one case to write as an extended case report which must include photographic support and which should demonstrate a more advanced procedure. The examiner will select three other cases to be written as short case reports. The assessment of the case reports will constitute the second part of this evaluation as outlined below.

2. Case book
Four case reports in total must be submitted to form the case book. These will include three short case reports selected by the examiner and one extended case report selected by the candidate. The same case cannot be used for more than one case report. The examiner may indicate what emphasis should be placed on the three selected case reports.
a) Short case reports (3) selected by examiner
Short case reports should be between 1000 and 1500 words (maximum) excluding references and figure legends. References from both the current published literature and standard reference sources should be used sparingly to support major statements in the text. These case reports are intended to demonstrate the application of selected key learning objectives for this module by the candidate and need not be exhaustive.

The candidate must state which learning objectives are being illustrated for each case report. The candidate should ensure that a range of learning objectives are covered by the three short case reports to enable the examiners to evaluate their progress.

b) Extended case report (1) selected by candidate
The extended case report should be between 2000 and 2500 words (maximum) excluding references, tables and figure legends. The candidate must provide photographic documentation supporting the case and demonstrating their direct involvement in it. This case report is intended to showcase the candidate's surgical skills, problem solving abilities and application of theory to clinical practice. It is hoped that the case report will demonstrate that the candidate is attempting a best practice approach to the case and that they will be able to critically appraise their own performance.

All cases are to have been managed by the candidate. Cases selected should demonstrate that the candidate has dealt competently with a range of commonly presented conditions or situations from the area of practice in which they are working.
Feedback Students will have the option to submit drafts of one case study for formative written feedback to aid in preparation for submission.

Full written feedback will be provided with results, and students are encouraged to contact the programme team to discuss if they have any queries.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the anatomical, physiological, immunological and pathological processes involved in specific surgical diseases, including the relationships between the condition, surgical technique and the overall health status of the patient
  2. Show thorough familiarity with the clinical presentation of the common surgical conditions affecting dogs, cats and small mammals
  3. Understand and promote the diagnostic processes necessary prior to embarking on a surgical procedure
  4. Review and constructively criticise current literature on the soft tissue surgery, to enable them to determine its relevance to their current practice
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
- be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
- be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
- be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
- search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
- have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
- understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information
- recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of their own learning style

B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be able to identify processes and strategies for learning
- be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
- be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
- be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
- be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
- be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts

C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
- use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
- further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
- use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection

D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
- be able to create and harness opportunities
- be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
- be responsive to their changing surroundings, being both flexible and proactive
- have the confidence to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy
- be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
- understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
- be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills
- work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community
Keywordsrcvs,certavp,small animal surgery
Contacts
Course organiserMs Sharon Boyd
Tel: (0131 6)51 7449
Email: Sharon.Boyd@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: Linda.Pollock@ed.ac.uk
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