Use of a non-traditional university ambulatory practice to teach large animal medicine.

This article examines how Ohio State University’s Large Animal Practice uses its non-traditional ambulatory clinic to effectively teach veterinary students about large animal medicine in a practical, real-world setting despite the trend of veterinary schools moving away from university-based practices.

Background

• The paper outlines the decline of traditional university-based ambulatory practices in veterinary schools but highlights how the Ohio State University’s Large Animal Practice continues to utilize this method, providing a cost-effective and valuable educational model.

Operating Model of the Ambulatory Practice

• The practice provides a wide array of services to varied clientele inclusive of production animals, horses, and camelids. Services include herd health, individual animal medicine and surgery, and emergency services.
• The client base was established by acquiring practices from alumni.
• The clinic is operated by four full-time veterinarians, their primarily role is overseeing the five to six fourth-year veterinary students rotating through the clinic every two weeks.
• The operating scheme of the practice largely reflects a private practice, with minimal support from the university, generating gross income of up to 676,000 US dollars per year at a support cost of 201,000 US dollars per fiscal year.

Educational Objectives and Teaching Methods

• The clinic uses a variety of teaching methods that include case discussions, homework, truck quiz books, and discussions on practice management issues.

Overall Significance

• The article emphasizes that the clinic’s core ambulatory rotation is an effective educational tool. Students gain practical experience and academic knowledge about large animal production medicine within a realistic setting, in a cost-effective manner.