Incorporating the Competencies of Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Focused on Pharmacotherapeutics Into Clinical Rotations for Small Animal Dermatology and Food Animal Medicine and Surgery at a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in the US.

Abstract

Building the skills and knowledge necessary to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) should occur throughout the veterinary curriculum. Operationalizing EBVM includes asking a clinical question in PICO format, searching the biomedical literature for evidence, critically appraising the evidence, and applying the evidence to make a clinical recommendation. At the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, we have embedded EBVM skill-reinforcing assignments into two clinical rotations, Dermatology and Food Animal Medicine and Surgery. In this paper, we describe the implementation and the evolution of assignments, including the learning objectives, workflow, and grading rubrics. We also summarize the types of PICO questions pursued by students. We conclude with the pharmacologist's and the clinicians' reflections on the value of the assignments and the approach of collaboration among specialists.