Simulator-Assisted Training of Abomasal Surgery-A Pilot Study Using Blended Learning and Face-to-Face Teaching.

Two stimulators were developed, one simplified and one realistic, in the present study for learning abomasal surgery for veterinary students. The simulators were tested in a pilot study: The upcoming blended learning format was compared with traditional face-to-face teaching. A total of 21 5th-year students participated in the study. While one group learned the surgical technique in traditional face-to-face simulator training, the second group completed interactive video training asynchronously. Afterwards, skills were examined in person. The results showed that the different groups did not lead to different performance results. Participation in the study increased self-assessment of skills by an average of about 7 of 36 points, as well as the learning success and motivation of students in both groups. The simulators developed were well liked by the students and rated as appropriate by 12 practicing bovine veterinarians. The pilot study indicates that blended learning could be a suitable alternative to traditional face-to-face teaching. This should be followed by further research to support the use of blended learning in the veterinary education of clinical skills.

Hurdles of Cataract Surgery: Veterinary Ophthalmology Resident's Perspective (Part B).

The purpose of this study was to describe veterinary ophthalmology residents' perceived preparedness for performing cataract surgery who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, veterinary academic or private practice institutions. A descriptive survey was distributed online to 127 residents at academic and private practice training programs in the United States. The survey included items about educational resources available for residents and techniques commonly taught during cataract surgery. Residents were asked to describe their perceived preparedness in performing various surgical steps or techniques, difficulty of each surgical step, and the available educational resources. Thirty-five (27.5%) residents completed the survey and were included in this study. Residents who had access to wet labs gained surgical competency in creating a clear corneal incision, capsulorhexis, and wound closure. They reported sculpting with the phacoemulsification handpiece, quadrant or cortical removal, and capsulorhexis as most difficult and were not as prepared or a little prepared in performing capsulorhexis and sculpting during active phacoemulsification. When comparing residents' perceived competency before and after their first surgical experience, there was a significant change in their ability to perform all surgical steps except hydrodissection (p < .05). Cataract surgery is one of the more advanced surgical skills obtained during residency training. Supervised wet lab time improves a resident's preparedness for executing certain surgical steps. However, further research is needed to determine whether educational resources such as structured curriculum or virtual simulation may improve residents' preparedness for executing surgical steps not easily replicated in a wet lab.

Training Veterinary Ophthalmology Residents on Cataract Surgery (Part A: Diplomate's Survey).

The purpose of this study was to explore the teaching methods used to train residents in cataract surgery at academic and private practice institutions. A descriptive survey was distributed online to 186 active supervising diplomates of the American Board of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ABVO) listserve. The survey included items about various educational resources and techniques available to ophthalmology residents when performing cataract surgery. Thirty-seven (19.9%) supervising diplomates completed the survey. Most supervising diplomates (29, 78.4%) required supervised practice in the wet lab. Fourteen supervising diplomates (37.8%) provided mandatory cataract surgery lectures. Nine diplomates (24.3%) required their residents to attend a formal phacoemulsification wet lab course. There was no difference in the number of diplomates who allowed their residents to perform cataract surgery as the primary surgeon during their second year compared to any other year. Thirty-three surveyed diplomates supported the idea of creating an assessment tool to improve surgical competency. This article describes the current trends in veterinary ophthalmology residency education and provides support for the creation of an assessment tool to improve surgical competency. The goal is to stimulate future research on how educators can effectively train veterinary ophthalmology residents to improve surgical proficiency.

What to Teach in Small Animal Veterinary Orthopedics: A Survey of Practicing Veterinarians to Inform Curriculum Development.

Competency-based veterinary education focuses on the knowledge and clinical skills required to generate a productive and confident practitioner. Accurate identification of clinically relevant core competencies enables academic institutions to prioritize which new and foundational information to cover in the limited time available. The goal of this study was to aggregate the opinions of veterinary practitioners about small animal core competencies in veterinary orthopedics. An online 20-question survey was distributed with questions regarding respondent demographics, education, practice type, caseload, involvement in orthopedic procedures, access to referral hospitals, frequency of orthopedic condition presentation and procedure performance, and proposed percent allocation of various orthopedic curriculum topics. Responses were included from 721 respondents, largely first-opinion veterinarians (81%, n = 580/721). The majority (58%; n = 418/721) of respondents performed less than 10% of the orthopedic surgeries themselves and, 37% (n = 266/721) reported never performing orthopedic surgery; of those performing surgeries, 78% (n = 354/455) performed less than six orthopedic procedures monthly. The five most common orthopedic conditions seen included: generalized osteoarthritis, patellar luxation, cranial cruciate ligament disease, hip dysplasia/arthritis, and muscle/tendon injuries. Median respondent scores for the percentage which a topic should comprise in an ideal orthopedic curriculum were 20% each for 'orthopedic exam' and for 'non-surgical orthopedic knowledge', 15% each for 'non-surgical orthopedic skills,' 'orthopedic imaging (radiographs),' and 'surgical orthopedic knowledge,' 10% for 'surgical orthopedic skills,' and 2% for 'advanced orthopedic imaging.' Based on these results, a curriculum focusing on the most clinically relevant orthopedic conditions with an emphasis on diagnosis establishment and non-surgical treatments is proposed.

Development and validation of a composed canine simulator for advanced veterinary laparoscopic training.

The development of innovative simulation models for veterinary laparoscopic surgery training is a priority today. This study aimed to describe a didactic simulation tool for the training of total laparoscopic gastropexy (TLG) with intracorporeal sutures in dogs. CALMA Veterinary Lap-trainer composite simulator (CLVTS) was developed from a plaster cast of 2 Great Dane canines mimicking the space and the correct position to carry out a TLG. After video instruction, 16 veterinarians with different degrees of experience in minimally invasive surgery (Experts, n = 6 and intermediates, n = 10) evaluated four sequential simulating TLG with intracorporeal suturing in the CLVTS. Subsequently, they completed an anonymous questionnaire analyzing the realism, usefulness, and educational quality of the simulator. The CLVTS showed a good preliminary acceptance (4.7/5) in terms of the usefulness and adequacy of the exercises that, in the participants' opinion, are appropriate and are related to the difficulty of the TLG. In addition, both experienced and intermediate surgeons gave high marks (4.5/5) to the feeling of realism, design, and practicality. There were no significant differences between the responses of the two groups. The results suggest that the CVLTS has both face and content validity. Where it can be practiced in a structured environment for the development of a total laparoscopic gastropexy with intracorporeal suture and without compromising patient safety, but still has some limitations of the scope of the study. Further studies are needed to establish the ability to assess or measure technical skills, including the degree of transferability to the actual surgical environment.

Estimación poblacional y sanitaria de Canis lupus familiaris en zonas rurales y urbanas de Huancarama, Perú / Population and health estimate of Canis lupus familiaris in rural and urban areas of Huancarama, Peru

RESUMEN El objetivo de la investigación fue estimar la población de canes con propietario y evaluar algunos aspectos de su estado sanitario en el distrito de Huancarama. El estudio fue cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se efectuó en noviembre de 2020. Las viviendas se seleccionaron mediante un muestreo estratificado aleatorio proporcional que contemplaba a los centros poblados como estratos. Se realizó una encuesta a los jefes de familia en las viviendas utilizando como instrumento una guía de entrevista validada por expertos. La información recolectada se transfirió a una hoja de Excel® para ser procesada con el software Epidat 4.2. El 70% (IC95% = 65,8-74,2%) de las viviendas tuvo canes. Los centros poblados con mayor tenencia de canes fueron Tunyabamba y Mateclla (100%, respectivamente). La mayoría de viviendas tuvo un solo can (51,3%), con predominio del sexo macho (68,8%) y edades entre 2 y 8 años (77,6%). Pocas familias tuvieron en confinamiento a sus canes (19%) y los han esterilizado (2%). Sin embargo, aunque la mayoría de los canes fueron vacunados contra la rabia (81,9%), son pocos los que tuvieron control veterinario (16%). Todos los centros poblados, a excepción de California, tuvieron en promedio un can por vivienda. En el distrito existen 1.717 canes con propietario y una razón de tres personas por cada can. Los centros poblados de Llactabamba, Acco, Tunyabamba, Lambraspata, Los Ángeles, Sotapa Pararani y otros tuvieron una razón de dos personas por can. En conclusión, existe excesiva cantidad de canes en el distrito de Huancarama, constituyendo una proporción elevada en relación con la de personas.

ABSTRACT The objective of the research was to estimate the population of dogs with an owner and to evaluate some aspects of their sanitary status in the district of Huancarama. The study was quantitative, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. It was carried out in November 2020. The dwellings were selected through a proportional random stratified sampling considering the populated centers as strata. A survey of household heads was conducted using an interview guide validated by experts as an instrument. The information collected was transferred to an Excel* sheet to be processed later with the Epidat 4.2 software. 70% (95% CI = 65, 8-74, 2%) of the dwellings had dogs. The populated centers with the highest proportion of dog ownership were Tunyabamba and Mateclla (100%, respectively). Most of the dwellings had only one dog (51, 3%), with a predominance of the male sex (68, 8%) and ages between 2-8 years (77, 6%). Few families have their dogs confined (19%) and have them sterilized (2%). However, although the majority of the dogs were vaccinated against rabies (81,9%), few had veterinary control (16%). All populated centers, with the exception of California, had an average of one can per dwelling. In the district there are 1.717 dogs with owners and a ratio of three people to each dog. The population centers of Llactabamba, Acco, Tunyabamba, Lambraspata, Los Angeles, Sotapa Pararani, and others had a ratio of two people per dog. In conclusion, there is an excessive number of dogs in the district of Huancarama, constituting a high proportion in relation to that of people.

Veterinary anatomy during the COVID-19 pandemic in brazil: research focused on pedagogical practice / Anatomía veterinaria durante la pandemia COVID-19 en brasil: investigación centrada en la práctica pedagógica

SUMMARY: Since the first Brazilian Veterinary Medicine course in 1910, many curricular changes have taken place. The pedagogical project have been centered on the student as a subject of learning and supported by the professors as a critical mediator of this process and the pandemic of COVID-19 accelerated this change. Many professors have taught video lessons to ensure continuity of teaching, research and extension, even at a distance. This paper, therefore, aims at reporting the development of animal anatomy didactic contents applied on online platforms in Portuguese language. To this, eight researches were developed addressing the teaching-learning of Morphological Sciences contents to be incorporated into distance education platforms that focused canine and feline anatomy, the study of neuroanatomy in the ovine, bovine, equine and primate species and the surgical anatomy of the locomotor apparatus of the equine specie. Thus, virtual teaching-learning platform can help, as a complementary tool to face-to-face classes, in obtaining the skills, abilities and attitudes required for the training of veterinary students in Brazil.

RESUMEN: Se han efectuado importantes cambios curriculares desde el primer curso de Medicina Veterinaria de Brasil en 1910. El proyecto pedagógico se ha centrado en el alumno como sujeto de aprendizaje con apoyo de los docentes como mediadores críticos de este proceso; con la pandemia de COVID-19 se aceleró este cambio. Muchos profesores han impartido lecciones en video para garantizar la continuidad de la docencia, la investigación y la extensión, incluso a distancia. Este artículo tiene como objetivo informar sobre el desarrollo de los contenidos didácticos sobre la anatomía animal, aplicados en plataformas online en portugués. Para ello, se desarrollaron ocho investigaciones que abordan la enseñanza-aprendizaje de contenidos de Ciencias Morfológicas para ser incorporados en plataformas de educación a distancia que enfocaran la anatomía canina y felina, el estudio de la neuroanatomía en las especies ovina, bovina, equina y primate, y la anatomía quirúrgica del aparato locomotor de la especie equina. De esta forma, la plataforma virtual de enseñanza-aprendizaje puede complementar las clases presenciales en la obtención de las habilidades y actitudes requeridas para la formación de los estudiantes de veterinaria en Brasil.

Qualitative Research in Veterinary Medical Education: Part 1-Principles of Qualitative Design.

Qualitative methodologies are relative newcomers to health sciences education research. While they may look very different to their quantitative counterparts in terms of size and scope, when well-applied they offer a fresh perspective and generate valuable research findings. Although qualitative research is being increasingly conducted in veterinary medical education, there are few contextualized resources to assist those who would like to develop their expertise in this area. In this article, we address this by introducing the principles of qualitative research design in a veterinary medical education context. Drawing from a range of contemporary resources, we explore the types of research goals and questions that are amenable to qualitative inquiry and discuss the process of formulating a worthwhile research question. We explain what research paradigms are and introduce readers to some of the methodological options available to them in qualitative research. Examples from veterinary medical education are used to illustrate key points. In a second companion article, we will focus on the decisions that need to be made regarding data sampling, collection, and analysis. We will also consider how qualitative research is evaluated, and discuss how qualitative findings are applied. Taken together, the two articles build an understanding of qualitative research, illuminate its potential to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning in veterinary medical education, and equip readers with an improved capacity to appraise its value.

Development and Application of an Interactive Neuropathology iBook as a Complementary Learning Tool for Veterinary Medicine Students.

Neuropathology is a challenging subject for most medical students. Delivering a gamified learning tool on this topic may motivate students and increase knowledge in the discipline. We report the development of such a tool in iBook format for the systemic pathology course delivered at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Composed of 10 chapters (cases), this Neuropathology iBook (NP-iB) reviews basic clinical manifestations, neuropathology, and pathogenesis of common non-neoplastic conditions that cause brain disease in domestic animals. The goal of each chapter is to reach a diagnosis by interactively answering specific questions after reviewing relevant medical history, clinical pathology, and autopsy findings. Our hypothesis: the NP-iB improves students' ability to recognize these diseases, reflected in higher test scores. Using a post-test only control group design, data were gathered from all students enrolled in the course in two different semesters, fall 2017 and spring 2018 (n = 300). NP-iB users (n = 51, 17%) and usage time were identified by answers to multiple-choice questions embedded in the course assessments. Ninety percent of users had a positive perception although no statistically significant differences were found in median test scores between users and non-users. Statistically significant test score differences were found across how much time students used the NP-iB (p = .005); the lowest test score median values were found for neuropathology questions not related to the NP-iB, in students who used it for more than 3 hours. Unexpectedly, a low number of students preferred this digital learning tool, and its use did not improve their learning outcomes.

Qualitative Research in Veterinary Medical Education: Part 1-Principles of Qualitative Design.

Qualitative methodologies are relative newcomers to health sciences education research. While they may look very different to their quantitative counterparts in terms of size and scope, when well-applied they offer a fresh perspective and generate valuable research findings. Although qualitative research is being increasingly conducted in veterinary medical education, there are few contextualized resources to assist those who would like to develop their expertise in this area. In this article, we address this by introducing the principles of qualitative research design in a veterinary medical education context. Drawing from a range of contemporary resources, we explore the types of research goals and questions that are amenable to qualitative inquiry and discuss the process of formulating a worthwhile research question. We explain what research paradigms are and introduce readers to some of the methodological options available to them in qualitative research. Examples from veterinary medical education are used to illustrate key points. In a second companion article, we will focus on the decisions that need to be made regarding data sampling, collection, and analysis. We will also consider how qualitative research is evaluated, and discuss how qualitative findings are applied. Taken together, the two articles build an understanding of qualitative research, illuminate its potential to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning in veterinary medical education, and equip readers with an improved capacity to appraise its value.

Advancing Veterinary Medical Education Worldwide: Where Do We Go From Here?

Veterinary medicine is a global public good. A robust system of both public and private veterinary services is essential to protect animal health. Improved animal health leads to global food security and reduces poverty by increasing productivity, controlling transboundary diseases and expanding access to international markets. The quality of veterinary services is directly related to the quality of veterinary medical education, therefore, it is incumbent upon the entire global veterinary medical profession to support programs that improve education around the world.

Development and Implementation of a National Center of Excellence in Dairy Production Medicine Education for Veterinary Students: Description of the Effort and Lessons Learned.

The need for consortial programs to provide advanced education in food animal veterinary production medicine has been recognized and lauded for nearly three decades. This article describes one effort to create a dairy production medicine curriculum funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Higher Education Challenge Grant. This National Center of Excellence in Dairy Production Medicine Education for Veterinarians is housed at the Dairy Education Center of the University of Minnesota and the project was a collaboration of the University of Minnesota, the University of Illinois, the University of Georgia, and Kansas State University. The article reviews the need for innovative ways to educate students who will optimally serve the dairy industry, provides a broad overview of the process of developing and delivering the eight-week dairy production medicine curriculum, and describes the challenges faced and lessons learned as a result of offering such a program.

Validation of Training and Acquisition of Surgical Skills in Veterinary Laparoscopic Surgery: A Review.

At present, veterinary laparoscopic surgery training is lacking in experiences that provide a controlled and safe environment where surgeons can practice specific techniques while receiving experts' feedback. Surgical skills acquired using simulators must be certified and transferable to the operating room. Most models for practicing laparoscopic skills in veterinary minimally invasive surgery are general task trainers and consist of boxes (simulators) designed for training human surgery. These simulators exhibit several limitations, including anatomic species and procedural differences, as well as general psychomotor training rather than in vivo skill recreation. In this paper, we review the existing methods of training, evaluation, and validation of technical skills in veterinary laparoscopic surgery. Content includes global and specific scales, and the conditions a structured curriculum should meet for improving the performance of novice surgeons during and after training. A focus on trainee-specific assessment and tailored-technical instruction should influence training programs. We provide a comprehensive analysis of current theories and concepts related to the evaluation and validation of simulators for training laparoscopic surgery in small animal surgery. We also highlight the need to develop new training models and complementary evaluation scales for the validation of training and acquisition of basic and advanced skills in veterinary laparoscopic surgery.

The Perceived Importance, Emphasis, and Confidence in Veterinary Nutrition Education of First-Year Canadian and US Veterinary Students.

Veterinarians play a critical role in providing nutrition consultation and supporting clients to adopt healthy dietary habits for their pets; thus applicable, informative nutrition education in veterinary schools is essential. The aim of this study was to explore incoming veterinary students' perceived importance, emphasis, and confidence in the veterinary nutrition education they will receive. First-year veterinary students at all 5 Canadian and 5 randomly selected US veterinary schools were invited to complete a 31-item questionnaire. Response rate was 34.6% (n = 326). Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were performed. While most students (92%) considered nutrition education to be an important component of veterinary training, 64% felt it will not be a subject of great emphasis. Veterinary students at schools with a board-certified veterinary nutrition faculty were more likely to perceive higher emphasis on nutrition education (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, academic self-efficacy was a positive predictor of students' perceived confidence in how well they anticipate their nutrition education that will prepare them for their clinical roles (p = 0.003). Examining the perceptions of veterinary students entering veterinary school is an important aspect to consider in the design and delivery of a veterinary nutrition curriculum and maybe equally important for students entering other professional health programs.

Teaching small animal reproduction via virtual patients.

Virtual patients have become an interesting alternative in medical education. Due to increasing demands regarding theoretical and clinical teaching and to improve an interdisciplinary approach, a new blended learning concept including virtual patients was developed and implemented in the veterinary curriculum of the Freie Universität Berlin. In the presented project, three virtual patients from the field of canine reproduction were developed. They focus on pregnancy diagnosis with suspected luteal insufficiency, pyometra and benign prostatic hyperplasia, respectively. The results of an evaluation by veterinary students of the 7th semester showed a high acceptance of virtual patients in a blended learning reproduction module in the interdisciplinary lectures. Students especially preferred videos, such as video lectures, hands-on videos and animations as well as a glossary for background information, to successfully and autonomously work on a virtual case. The content covered by the new modules that were developed in the context of this project is part of a spiral curriculum; they will be revised and enhanced during the clinical year.

El impacto de los espacios formativos acerca de las competencias sociales y laborales en la carrera de medicina veterinaria

El presente trabajo da cuenta de una propuesta de espacios formativos destinados a la adquisición de habilidades sociales en los estudiantes próximos a finalizar la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina. Dichos espacios, brindados desde el Servicio de Orientación Educativa, se organizaron en cuatro talleres inspirados en la teoría de las habilidades sociales y laborales. Los cuatro ejes principales fueron autoconocimiento, inserción laboral, habilidades sociales y competencias laborales. Los cuatros ejes principales fueron: autoconocimiento, inserción laboral, habilidades sociales y competencias laborales. El valor pedagógico de la propuesta se evaluó a través de la aplicación de encuestas de opinión y valoraciones de frases significativas. La metodología de abordaje se caracterizó por ser cualitativa, consistente en una estrategia de intervención dentro del ámbito educativo. Algunos resultados preliminares dan cuenta de la necesidad de articular talleres de habilidades sociales a la estructura curricular de la formación universitaria. Los protagonistas de este proceso enfatizan la significatividad que aportan estos espacios como oportunidades válidas para su formación, a la vez que se transforman en instancias de aprendizaje compartido.

The present work accounts for a proposal of training spaces aimed at the acquisition of social skills in students close to finishing the career of Veterinary Medicine of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina. These spaces, provided by the Educational Guidance Service, were organized in four workshops inspired by the theory of social and work skills. The four main axes were self-knowledge, labor insertion, social skills and labor competencies. The four main axes were: self-knowledge, labor insertion, social skills and labor competencies. The pedagogical value of the proposal was evaluated through the application of opinion surveys and judgments of significant sentences. The approach methodology was characterized as being qualitative, consisting of an intervention strategy within the educational environment. Some preliminary results show the need to articulate social skills workshops to the curricular structure of university education. The protagonists of this process emphasize the significance that these spaces provide as valid opportunities for their formation, while they are transformed into instances of shared learning.

Volumetric computed tomography reconstruction, rapid prototyping and 3D printing of opossum head ( Didelphis albiventris ) / Reconstrucción volumétrica por tomografia computarizada, prototipado rápido e impresión 3D de cabeza de zarigüeya ( Didelphis albiventris )

Natural anatomical pieces of wild animals are rare and teachers seek alternatives in satisfactory quantity and quality to inform their students. This article aims to describe the use of multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume rendering computed tomography (CT) images, rapid prototyping and 3D printing of opossum head to create a biomodel to veterinary education in descriptive anatomy of wild animals. A six-step method study was conducted to construct the biomodel: (1) selection of opossum head from museum; (2) CT scanning of bones structures in veterinary hospital; (3) DICOM visualization medical images in multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume rendering; (4) .dicom file conversion to .stl; (5) 3D printing of opossum head by rapid prototyping; (6) comparison of 3D model printed with the original anatomical piece. The use of CT images with their different forms of reconstruction can provide a more comprehensive 3D view of opossum craniofacial region and allow a better understanding of head anatomy of this species. The 3D printed biomodel can be a viable alternative to original bone specimens when used in anatomy education. However, further studies must be continued to validate the method in Veterinary Medicine courses.

Las piezas anatómicas naturales de animales salvajes son raras y los profesores buscan alternativas satisfactorias, en cantidad y calidad, para enseñar a sus alumnos. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo describir el uso de la reconstrucción volumétrica por tomografía computarizada, la creación rápida de prototipos y la impresión 3D de la cabeza de zarigüeya para obtener un biomodelo en anatomía descriptiva de animales salvajes para educación veterinaria. Se realizó un estudio en seis pasos para construir el biomodelo: (1) selección de cabeza de zarigüeya del museo; (2) tomografía computarizada de estructuras óseas en hospital veterinario; (3) visualización de las imágenes médicas en DICOM por reconstrucciones multiplanares y renderización de volumen 3D; (4) conversión de archivos .dicom a .stl; (5) impresión 3D de cabeza de zarigüeya mediante prototipado rápido; (6) comparación del modelo 3D impreso con la pieza anatómica original. El uso de imágenes de tomografía computarizada, con sus diferentes formas de reconstrucción, puede proporcionar una vista 3D más completa de la región craneofacial de zarigüeya y permitir una mejor comprensión de la anatomía de la cabeza de esta especie. El biomodelo 3D impreso puede ser una alternativa viable a las muestras óseas originales cuando se utiliza en la educación de la anatomía. Sin embargo, se deben continuar los estudios para validar el método en los cursos de Medicina Veterinaria.

Why to study opossums? / ¿Por qué estudiar las zarigüeyas?

Due to the very important role in Brazilian ecosystems, studying the anatomy of opossums is extremely relevant for their natural preservation and possible clinical and surgical interventions with captive animals. These marsupials occupy diversified niches being well distributed throughout the Brazilian territory. They collaborate in the control of urban and agricultural pests such as rodents and insects. They are also excellent dispersers of seeds through their feces. The conclusion is that opossums can be a great model for the study of the anatomy of wild animals.

Las zarigüeyas desempeñan un papel muy relevante en los ecosistemas brasileños, siendo extremadamente importante estudiar su anatomía para su preservación natural y posibles intervenciones clínicas y quirúrgicas de los animales en cautiverio. Estos marsupiales ocupan nichos diversificados y están bien distribuidos en todo el territorio brasileño. Colaboran en el control de plagas urbanas y agrícolas, como roedores e insectos. También son excelentes dispersores de semillas a través de sus heces. Por lo tanto, se concluye que las zarigüeyas pueden ser un gran modelo para estudiar la anatomía de los animales salvajes.

Digital revolution in veterinary anatomy: confection of anatomical models of canine stomach by scanning and three-dimensional printing (3D) / Revolución digital en anatomía veterinaria: confección de modelos anatómicos del estómago canino mediante escaneo e impresión tridimensional (3D)

Three-dimensional (3D) scanning and printing can contribute to the area of Veterinary Anatomy, producing anatomical models that can be used in teaching. The objective of this project was to apply the 3D digitalization and printing to produce models of the canine stomach, and make these models available as an alternative tool of study in the practical classes of veterinary anatomy. The stomachs of dogs were digitized and printed in 3D models. Anatomical aspects were easily identifies in the models as compared with stomach original. The results of this project clearly demonstrated that the digitalization and 3D printing from the dog stomach come to strongly contribute to the teaching of veterinary anatomy, currently playing an important role by producing replicas which present desirable anatomical characteristics from organ.

El escaneo e impresión tridimensional (3D) puede contribuir al área de Anatomía Veterinaria, produciendo modelos anatómicos que pueden usarse en la enseñanza. El objetivo de este proyecto fue aplicar la digitalización e impresión 3D para producir modelos del estómago canino y hacer que estos modelos estén disponibles como una herramienta alternativa de estudio en las clases prácticas de anatomía veterinaria. Los estómagos del perro fueron digitalizados e impresos en modelos 3D. Los aspectos anatómicos se identificaron fácilmente en los modelos en comparación con el estómago original. Los resultados de este proyecto demostraron claramente que la digitalización y la impresión en 3D del estómago del perro contribuyen en gran medida a la enseñanza de la anatomía veterinaria y que actualmente desempeña un papel importante, al producir réplicas que presentan características anatómicas deseables a partir de órganos.

Grupos de Estudio Dirigido en la educación veterinaria: una propuesta estudiantil para fortalecer la comunicación de los futuros profesionales / Directed Studies Groups in the veterinary education: a proposal to enhance communication in future professionals

De la lectura de solicitudes laborales para cualquier empresa, y en particular las relacionadas con la labor del Médico Veterinario, al mismo nivel que los conocimientos científico-técnicos se solicita que éste posea “espíritu proactivo”, “capacidad de liderazgo” “competencias para trabajar en equipo”, entre otras habilidades sociales importantes. Ya no alcanza con saberes “sabios” ni experiencia “técnica”, hoy se necesitan sujetos hábiles para la comunicación, con confianza en sí mismos y en los demás, solidarios, empáticos con su entorno y capaces de integrarse con éxito a equipos de trabajo. En el currículo oficial de la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, la habilidad de trabajar en equipo no forma parte de los contenidos específicos que el estudiante debe aprender. Los Grupos de Estudios Dirigidos (GED), son grupos de alumnos de distintos niveles de la carrera, que motivados por un tema en común gestionan tareas de profundización en temáticas específicas, investigación y/o extensión para fortalecerse en esa área. Para ellos aprender a trabajar en equipo implica aprender a comunicarse eficazmente, a ser solidario, a comprometerse con el logro de metas comunes, habilidades que no deben descuidarse y que son fundamentales para hablar de un profesional con una formación integral.

Reading job applications sent to any company and, particularly, those related to the Veterinary profession, it becomes clear that, apart from the required specific technical and scientific expertise, applicants should also have a proactive spirit, leadership abilities and the capacity to work in a team, among other important social skills. Nowadays, it's not enough having "wise" knowledge or "technical" expertise. Subjects should also have the ability to communicate effectively, demonstrate they can rely upon themselves and others, be sympathetic and empathetic and capable of integrating successfully in new work teams. In the official syllabus of the Veterinary Medicine career in Argentina, the ability to work in teams is not part of the specific content that the students have to learn. The Directed Studies Groups (DSG), are groups of students of different levels of the graduate course, that motivated by a common topic embark on tasks to deepen their knowledge on specific subjects, including research and / or extension. For them, learning to work in a team means learning to communicate effectively, to be supportive, to commit to the achievement of common goals, skills that should not be neglected and that are fundamental to speak of a professional with a comprehensive education.