Effectiveness of a programme design for the development of competence in solving clinical problems

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical application is a significant challenge for veterinary students.
• A novel training program was developed to facilitate this transition by emphasizing clinical problem-solving skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a preclinical training program designed for veterinary medicine students.
• The program aims to enhance clinical problem-solving competence through engagement with real and simulated clinical scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Methodological triangulation was employed to assess program effectiveness.
• Data were collected through student questionnaires, direct performance observations, and pre- and post-program assessments.

Main Results:

• The program was consistently perceived as effective by students across all measured dimensions.
• Significant improvements were observed in students' ability to solve clinical problems and in their assessment scores.
• Substantial overall progress was noted in student competence.

Conclusions:

• A preclinical course design integrating clinical work processes and diverse case exposure (real and paper-based) effectively enhances problem-solving competence in veterinary students.
• This approach prepares students for clinical practice by building essential diagnostic and decision-making skills.