Evaluation of a brief video intervention aimed at UK-based veterinary surgeons to encourage neutering cats at four months old: A randomised controlled trial.

In the UK, it is currently recommended that owned cats be neutered from four months of age. However, its uptake is inconsistent across the veterinary profession. Here we assess the effect of a brief video intervention that aimed to encourage four month neutering, whilst preserving clinical autonomy. We compare this theory-driven approach with traditional information giving and a control group. Veterinary surgeons who regularly undertook feline neutering work in the UK but did not routinely neuter cats at four months and/or recommend four month neutering for client owned cats were randomised into three groups (n = 234). Participants received either no information, a written summary of evidence or the video. The primary behaviour outcomes were the recommending and carrying out of neutering cats at four months. Evaluative, belief and stages of change measures were also collected. Self-reported outcomes were assessed pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, two months post-intervention and six months post-intervention. At two months, participants that had received the video intervention were significantly more likely to have started recommending neutering cats at four months. At six months, participants that had received the video intervention were significantly more likely to have started carrying out neutering cats at four months. There were no significant behaviour changes for the other groups. At two months, the video intervention was associated with a significant increase in thinking about, and speaking to colleagues about, four-month neutering, relative to the control group. The written summary of evidence had no similar effect on stages of change, despite it being perceived as a significantly more helpful resource relative to the video. To conclude, a brief one-off video intervention resulted in an increase in positive behaviours towards neutering cats at 4 months, likely mediated by the social influences of the intervention prompting the opportunity to reflect and discuss four-month neutering with colleagues.

Evaluation of a laparoscopic abdominal simulator assessment to test readiness for laparoscopic ovariectomy in live dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To predict readiness for laparoscopic ovariectomy of live dogs on the basis of performance on a high-fidelity laparoscopic abdominal simulator and to determine interrater reliability of the assessment. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Seventeen fourth-year veterinary students. METHODS: After a standardized laparoscopic training course, each participant performed a laparoscopic ovariectomy with a simulator. This performance was scored in real time by two evaluators using a rubric. Participants achieving a score of 112 of 160 performed a laparoscopic ovariectomy in a live dog, supervised by an instructor in the room. Two evaluators scored video recordings of each procedure using the rubric. Participants' opinions about the simulator were collected with a survey. RESULTS: All participants scored above the threshold (range, 126-151) and successfully completed laparoscopic ovariectomy in a live dog, with an average of 10 of 17 participants requiring verbal guidance and 5 of 17 participants requiring intervention from the instructor. Interrater concordance was excellent for the rubrics used to score performance on the simulator (R = 0.91) and in vivo (R = 0.81). All participants agreed that the simulator should be used to assess trainee readiness prior to surgery in a live dog. CONCLUSION: Participants achieving a score of at least 126 of 160 on the simulator were able to perform a laparoscopic ovariectomy in a live dog under supervision. The scoring system for the simulator had excellent interrater concordance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This simulator and scoring system can be used in laparoscopic training programs to assess readiness for progression to the operative setting.

Using Creativity as an Educational Tool in Veterinary Surgery: Students' Perceptions and Surgical Performance.

With the aim of improving students' ability to handle the complexity of surgery, we introduced a creative assignment in a veterinary surgical course. We hypothesized that by using this active, inductive educational method, reflection, creativity and self-efficacy in student novice surgeons could be improved. During a companion animal surgical course an intervention group was investigated against a control group. Twenty-nine fourth-year students were instructed in ovariohysterectomy by classical lectures, while 23 fourth-year students were provided with creative materials and assigned to consider and illustrate how to perform the procedure themselves. Surgical performance was assessed for both groups using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) while performing a simulated ovariohysterectomy. Furthermore, both groups were investigated with respect to how they would handle a specific hypothetical surgical complication. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 intervention-group students and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The intervention group showed a significantly better performance and needed significantly less help with the surgical complication than the control group students. Data from interviews furthermore demonstrated that students believed the creative intervention produced increased reflection, more creative initiatives, and a feeling of security before surgery. Our study results thus indicate that an educational tool which stimulates creative thinking can promote reflection, creativity, and self-efficacy in novice surgeons without compromising surgical performance.

Guidelines for Implementing a Low-Cost Volunteer Desexing Skills Training Program for Veterinary and Veterinary Technology Students.

Although desexing surgeries are considered a core clinical skill for small animal veterinary practice, it can be challenging for veterinary schools to provide students with adequate training opportunities in the traditional curriculum. At the Massey University School of Veterinary Science, we recently established an innovative extracurricular volunteer program designed to have students teaching other students how to perform different elements of desexing procedures as they progress through their degree. This program includes administrative and assistant roles for first-year students (responsible for client communication, patient restraint, and medical record keeping), physical exam and recovery roles for second-year students (responsible for assessing patient fitness for surgery, drawing up anesthetic drugs, and monitoring patients in recovery), anesthesia and neuter surgeon roles for third-year students (responsible for inducing, preparing, and monitoring spay patients and performing cat neuter surgeries), and spay surgeon roles for fourth- and fifth-year students (responsible for performing cat spay surgeries, discharging patients, and following up with clients to monitor recovery). This program has been successful in improving student confidence and competence while also providing a valuable low-cost desexing service to the community. In this article, we discuss the practical considerations and processes involved in implementing this program, including mapping the existing surgical curriculum, recruiting patients, setting up the surgical facilities, purchasing equipment and supplies, establishing standard operating procedures, developing training materials, maintaining clinic records, and monitoring program outcomes. These resources can serve as guidelines for other veterinary schools looking to expand desexing surgery training opportunities for students.

Survey of surgical specialists' content preferences in radiology reports for extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

The aim of this prospective, survey study was to assess the opinions of specialist surgeons as to the preferred content, nomenclature, and classification of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts for inclusion in radiology reports. A link to an online survey was sent by email to members of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons, and was made available on the American College of Veterinary Surgeons web forum and Facebook page. There were 93 respondents (survey sent to over 2500 email addresses and made available in two online locations). Most respondents agreed that they both review the images themselves (87/92, 95%) and read the radiology report (82/92, 89%) prior to surgery. Most respondents believed that the radiology report should contain a detailed anatomic description of the insertion (83/92, 90%), origin (54/91, 59%), and course (70/92, 76%) of the shunt, as well as a measure of the diameter of the shunting vessel at its insertion (54/92, 59%). Most respondents (70/90, 78%) disagreed that a brief description of shunt type, such as portocaval or portophrenic, was sufficient. Respondents were undecided regarding the use of an alphanumeric classification system (36/92, 39% agree; 32/92, 35% disagree). There was agreement that details of the presence or absence of urolithiasis (91/93, 98%), renomegaly (54/93, 58%), and peritoneal fluid (72/92, 78%) should be included in the report. The results of this study will help to guide reporting radiologists in providing descriptions of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts that include information most preferred by the recipient surgeons.

Experience and confidence of final year veterinary students in performing desexing surgeries.

AIMS: To describe the level of experience and confidence of veterinary students in performing canine and feline desexing procedures at the end of their final clinical year. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with veterinary students at Massey University in November 2017 after completion of their final clinical year. The questions included career plans after graduation, number of assisted and unassisted desexing procedures performed, approximate time to complete desexing surgeries, level of confidence with different aspects of desexing surgeries, what aspects of their desexing surgery training were most helpful, and what could be done to improve training in desexing surgical skills in veterinary school. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 70/95 (74%) students in their final clinical year. Among respondents, 55/70 (70%) had performed >2 unassisted feline neuters before graduation. However 38/70 (54%) students had never performed an unassisted feline spay, 31/70 (44%) had never performed an unassisted canine neuter, and 44/70 (63%) students had never performed an unassisted canine spay. The median reported times to complete a feline neuter, feline spay, canine neuter, and canine spay were 9, 40, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. The median level of confidence for these procedures were 9, 6, 7 and 5 (on a scale from 1=least confident to 10=most confident), respectively. The reported time to complete procedures and the confidence in performing procedures did not change markedly with increasing total number of procedures performed. Students were most concerned about their ability to perform the desexing procedures in a reasonable amount of time and to prevent post-operative bleeding from occurring. Students were least concerned with their ability to manage post-operative pain in patients and to select the appropriate suture material. Free-text comments revealed that 62/70 (89%) students wanted more hands-on surgical experience prior to graduation. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVENCE: Many students are currently completing veterinary school with limited experience and low confidence with performing routine canine and feline desexing procedures. Further research is needed to identify the most effective ways for addressing this issue within the constraints of the veterinary curriculum and teaching hospital resources.

Evaluation of a method to assess digitally recorded surgical skills of novice veterinary students.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method to assess surgical skills of veterinary students that is based on digital recording of their performance during closure of a celiotomy in canine cadavers. SAMPLE POPULATION: Second year veterinary students without prior experience with live animal or simulated surgical procedure (n = 19) METHODS: Each student completed a 3-layer closure of a celiotomy on a canine cadaver. Each procedure was digitally recorded with a single small wide-angle camera mounted to the overhead surgical light. The performance was scored by 2 of 5 trained raters who were unaware of the identity of the students. Scores were based on an 8-item rubric that was created to evaluate surgical skills that are required to close a celiotomy. The reliability of scores was tested with Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation, and a generalizability study. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the grading rubric, as measured by α, was .76. Interrater reliability, as measured by intraclass correlation, was 0.64. The generalizability coefficient was 0.56. CONCLUSION: Reliability measures of 0.60 and above have been suggested as adequate to assess low-stakes skills. The task-specific grading rubric used in this study to evaluate veterinary surgical skills captured by a single wide-angle camera mounted to an overhead surgical light produced scores with acceptable internal consistency, substantial interrater reliability, and marginal generalizability. IMPACT: Evaluation of veterinary students' surgical skills by using digital recordings with a validated rubric improves flexibility when designing accurate assessments.

Evaluation of learning curves for ovariohysterectomy of dogs and cats and castration of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To define learning curves for fourth-year veterinary students performing ovariohysterectomy procedures in dogs and cats and castration in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective study. SAMPLE 3,196 ovariohysterectomies or castrations performed in dogs and cats by 88 veterinary students during a spay-neuter surgery and animal shelter rotation (n = 3,056) or by 1 experienced general practitioner (n = 140). PROCEDURES Data collected from medical records included patient signalment, type and duration of procedure, and sequence (by date and time) of the procedure within a list of procedures of the same type generated for each student. For each procedure type, geometric mean surgery time and 95% confidence intervals were determined for each number of surgeries completed by ≥ 10 students. Median surgery times for the same procedure types were determined for the experienced practitioner. The learning curve for each procedure was modeled with nonlinear (3-factor exponential equation with a nonzero asymptote) and linear regression. For each procedure, the asymptote (optimal surgery time) for students was compared with the experienced practitioner's median surgery time. RESULTS 2,945 surgeries (mean, 33/student) performed by ≥ 10 students were analyzed. Surgery time decreased in a nonlinear manner as student experience increased for castration of adult or pediatric dogs and ovariohysterectomy of pediatric dogs and adult or pediatric cats. Surgery time decreased in a linear manner as experience increased for ovariohysterectomy of adult dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the authors' knowledge, this was the first study to map surgery times for common surgical procedures consecutively performed by veterinary students. Results clearly indicated the value of repetition to improve surgical skills (as measured by surgery time) during a 3-week period.

Stakeholder expectations regarding the ability of new veterinary graduates to perform various diagnostic and surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE To assess stakeholders' expectations regarding new veterinary graduates' ability to perform various diagnostic and surgical procedures. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE Veterinary students, recent graduates, clinical veterinary college faculty, and general practitioners at or from AVMA Council on Education-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Caribbean. PROCEDURES Respondents rated how proficient they expected new graduates, on their first day of practice, to be in 8 diagnostic procedures and the degree of independence they expected of new graduates in 8 surgical procedures. RESULTS Response rate was 9% (235/2,500) for practitioners, 12% (151/1,275) for faculty members, 14% (70/500) for recent graduates, and 15% (1,731/11,474) for students. All 4 respondent subgroups expected that new graduates would be able to adequately perform a fine-needle aspirate of a subcutaneous mass (96% to 98% expected new graduates to be able to adequately perform this procedure) and a cystocentesis (93% to 97% expected new graduates to be able to adequately perform this procedure). The greatest variability in responses was noted for performing hand ties, ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, and arthrocentesis. Most respondents expected new graduates to be able to independently perform a canine castration (82% to 94% expecting independence), feline subcutaneous mass removal (66% to 75% expecting independence), and canine ovariohysterectomy (65% to 89% expecting independence). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results revealed a diversity of opinion regarding expected proficiency for new graduates performing various diagnostic and surgical procedures. Findings may help colleges of veterinary medicine refine their curricula by providing end points for student training.

The learning curve for veterinary surgery residents performing hemilaminectomy surgeries in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To describe the learning curve for veterinary surgery residents performing hemilaminectomy surgeries in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case review and learning curve evaluation. SAMPLE 13 individuals who completed a 3-year surgery residency program at a university teaching hospital and who had no prior experience performing hemilaminectomies. PROCEDURES The 13 residents performed hemilaminectomies on 399 dogs between July 2006 and July 2013. Medical records were reviewed, and operative time was recorded. Data were examined with a linear mixed-effects model to quantify fixed and random effects, a curve-fitting technique to find the best-fit curve, and a segmented 2-phase linear model to describe the domains and learning rates for 2 phases of learning. RESULTS The linear mixed-effects model indicated that increasing patient body weight and increasing surgical complexity (graded on the basis of number and contiguity of hemilaminectomy sites) were associated with longer operative times and that increasing exposure number was associated with shorter operative times. The monoexponential and biexponential parametric curves were of similar quality in modeling the data. The segmented 2-phase linear model showed an early phase of learning during which operative time decreased rapidly and a late phase when operative time decreased more gradually. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The learning curve for the residents suggested that for early exposures, instruction in the form of direct supervision provided substantial benefit. By the tenth exposure, the benefit of instruction diminished and ongoing improvement was primarily a result of refinement. If validated by further study, this understanding of a 2-phase learning curve may inform the design of training programs in veterinary surgery.

Effects of an optional clinical skills laboratory on surgical performance of third-year veterinary students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether addition of an optional clinical skills laboratory (OCSL) to the traditional surgery curriculum would affect total surgery time or incision closure time in veterinary students performing ovariohysterectomy of a dog during a third-year surgery course. DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective study of veterinary student attendance at OCSL sessions and student performance during the third-year surgery course. SAMPLE: Students from the classes of 2012, 2013, and 2014 at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. PROCEDURES: For all students, total surgery time and incision closure time were recorded when students performed an ovariohysterectomy of a dog during their third-year live-animal surgery course. Times were analyzed to identify differences among classes and determine whether times were associated with number of OCSL sessions attended, previous experience performing ovariohysterectomies, or enrollment in an elective clinical skills course. RESULTS: Total surgery and incision closure times were not significantly different between students in the class of 2012 (no access to the OCSL prior to the third-year surgery course) and students in the class of 2013 (ie, access to 4 OCSL sessions during the spring semester prior to the third-year surgery course). However, times were significantly shorter for students in the class of 2014 (ie, students who had access to OCSL sessions during the 3 semesters prior to the third-year surgery course) than for students in the other 2 classes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that attendance in the OCSL sessions was associated with improvements in surgical performance, as reflected in faster total surgery and incision closure times while performing an ovariohysterectomy during the third-year surgery course.

Update on Surgical Principles and Equipment.

The diversity implicit in exotic animal surgery requires a tailored approach to optimize successful outcomes. Outlined is information on patient preparation, instrumentation, hemostatic techniques, and magnification as it pertains to the exotic animal. Application of topical antiseptic solutions and judicious removal of pelage and feathers will decrease bacterial load during patient preparation. The use of specific barrier protection ensures proper aseptic technique and enables optimal patient monitoring. Magnification combined with a focal light source enhances visual acuity, allowing for better use of delicate instrumentation and identification of anatomic structures.

Assessment of Fluid Balance and the Approach to Fluid Therapy in the Perioperative Patient.

Perioperative patients can be highly dynamic and have various metabolic, physiologic, and organ system derangements that necessitate smart monitoring strategies and careful fluid therapy. The interplay between changing patient status, therapeutic interventions, and patient response makes effective monitoring crucial to successful treatment. Monitoring the perioperative patient and an approach to fluid therapy are discussed in this text.

Comparison of Veterinary Student Ability to Learn 1-Handed and 2-Handed Techniques for Surgical Knot Tying.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which type of surgical hand-tie trainee surgeons learn most readily in a laboratory setting, using a combination of audiovisual demonstration and one-on-one teaching. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled learning trial. SAMPLE POPULATION: Year 4 veterinary students in their 1st year of clinical training (n = 58). METHODS: Veterinary students entering clinical rotations were randomly allocated to 2 learning groups: 1-handed (28 students) or 2-handed (30 students) surgical ties. Knot tying technique was taught followed by three 15-minute practice sessions with student progress recorded by filming each student tying a square knot (2 throws). All 3 knot tying attempts were scored for technique and knot formation. Data on potential confounding factors between groups, including age and gender, were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between group scores for each attempt (1st attempt P = .5; 2nd P = .2; 3rd P = .19). Initially, scores indicated more rapid learning in the 1-handed group but fewer individuals achieved a perfect technique and knot after 60 minutes of learning (29/30 for 2-handed; 24/28 for 1-handed group). The 1-handed group was the most error-prone (after 45 minutes P < .01; after 60 min P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Over 95% of students in the 2-handed group performed the technique and knot perfectly after 60 minutes learning time; were significantly less error-prone and fewer students continued to make corrected errors after 60 minutes. This evidence indicates that the 2-handed technique allows students to achieve success in a manageable teaching time.

International online survey to assess current practice in equine anaesthesia.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Multicentre Confidential Enquiries into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF) have not been conducted since the initial CEPEF Phases 1-3, 20 years ago. OBJECTIVES: To collect data on current practice in equine anaesthesia and to recruit participants for CEPEF-4. STUDY DESIGN: Online questionnaire survey. METHODS: An online questionnaire was prepared and the link distributed internationally to veterinarians possibly performing equine anaesthesia, using emails, posters, flyers and an editorial. The questionnaire included 52 closed, semiclosed and open questions divided into 8 subgroups: demographic data, anaesthetist, anaesthesia management (preoperative, technical equipment, monitoring, drugs, recovery), areas of improvements and risks and motivation for participation in CEPEF-4. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests for comparison of categorical variables were performed. RESULTS: A total of 199 questionnaires were completed by veterinarians from 14 different countries. Of the respondents, 43% worked in private hospitals, 36% in private practices and 21% in university teaching hospitals. In 40 institutions (23%) there was at least one diplomate of the European or American colleges of veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia on staff. Individual respondents reported routinely employ the following anaesthesia monitoring modalities: electrocardiography (80%), invasive arterial blood pressures (70%), pulse oximetry (60%), capnography (55%), arterial blood gases (47%), composition of inspired and expired gases (45%) and body temperature (35%). Drugs administered frequently or routinely as part of a standard protocol were: acepromazine (44%), xylazine (68%), butorphanol (59%), ketamine (96%), diazepam (83%), isoflurane (76%), dobutamine (46%), and, as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, phenylbutazone (73%) or flunixin meglumine (66%). Recovery was routinely assisted by 40%. The main factors perceived by the respondents to affect outcome of equine anaesthesia were the preoperative health status of the animal and training of the anaesthetist. CONCLUSIONS: Current practice in equine anaesthesia varies widely, and the study has highlighted important topics relevant for designing a future prospective multicentre cohort study (CEPEF-4). The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.