Applying clinical audit for quality improvement in canine dystocia cases seen at a UK primary-care emergency practice.

BACKGROUND: The paucity of published veterinary clinical audits suggests that clinical audit is an under-used tool for quality improvement (QI) in the veterinary profession. Therefore, a continuous QI process was designed and implemented at a UK multisite small animal emergency practice, focusing on audit of clinical management of canine dystocia. METHODS: Data collection phases were undertaken in 2014, 2019 and 2021, with intervening knowledge dissemination activities. Nine variables relating to clinical management of canine dystocia were selected as audit criteria in the initial dataset, and 21 variables were measured in each subsequent phase. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2021, statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) were demonstrated in recording of bodyweight, use of diagnostic imaging, use of ultrasonography, recording of fetal heart rates, use of calcium gluconate, and use during caesarean section of intravenous fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, full agonist opioids, paracetamol and local anaesthesia. Statistically significant decreases were demonstrated in median first quantity and median first dose of oxytocin, and in the use of NSAIDs during caesarean section. A clinical audit planning template was created for future audits. LIMITATIONS: Typical case presentation and management of canine dystocia cases may vary between dedicated emergency and non-emergency primary-care settings. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale veterinary clinical audit and suggests that the application of the clinical audit process promotes learning within the veterinary team and improved clinical outcomes.

Social cognitive career theory: The experiences of Korean college student-athletes on dropping out of male team sports and creating pathways to empowerment.

The South Korean elite sport system is facing a wide range of problems that account for the high dropout rate among college student-athletes. However, research on dropout rates of student-athletes is so far been limited, which amplifies the actual voices of this group, their dropout experiences, and their challenges, while they were in the career transition process. Therefore, this study used a critical phenomenological approach as a primary methodological lens to gather information on 15 formal Korean male college student-athletes on dropping out of team sports, exploring their life challenges during their career transitions out of the sport. The result showed two main thematic categories with sub-themes, which include (1) factors affecting burning out and terminating athletic careers: (a) injury and failure of rehabilitation and (b) bullying and abandonment; and (2) factors hindering post-retirement career advancement: (a) prejudice and exclusion and (b) absence of mentors and counselors. This study used Social Cognitive Career Theory to explore the participants' progression through specific interventions that engage and empower. Overall, the current study calls upon researchers, counselors, and administrators to continue exploring advocacy efforts with this population to alter policy and practice.