Development and Implementation of a Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinical Rotation Aligned with the CBVE Model

Spectrum of care (SOC) has recently been described in the literature, yet it is not an entirely new concept within the veterinary profession. Practitioners in general veterinary practice have long needed to provide a broad range of unique care options for their patients and clients, particularly those for whom referral is not possible. More recently, graduates and their employers have reported that new veterinarians often lack the competence and confidence to provide a broad array of care options, while training in ever more specialized tertiary-referral environments. To better prepare veterinary learners to cope with the variable nature of general veterinary practice and to better meet employer demands, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine purposefully backward designed learning experiences in a new outcomes-based curriculum so that SOC is emphasized and aligned with the foundation offered by the Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) model. A unique set of subcompetencies and educational goals were collaboratively developed and used to define a new final year rotation, with additional input provided by an advisory panel of practicing SOC veterinarians from private practice. Ideal caseload characteristics, case numbers, appointment length, daily activities, and other elements were defined, and final year student performance was monitored during implementation to assess progress in meeting key developmental milestones. Incorporating spectrum of care training at The Ohio State University shows promise for developing confidence and competence in new graduates, while also increasing their skills, and perhaps improving their mental health.