Merging Clinical Cases, Client Communication, and Physiology to Enhance Student Engagement, Learning, and Skills

Understanding disease processes, making diagnoses, and guiding clinical therapy are predicated on an understanding of normal physiologic function. However, we have observed that many first-year students fail to appreciate the important role that a clear understanding of normal function plays in becoming well-prepared, practicing veterinarians. Students also struggle with application of basic knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of disease, as evidenced by poor performance on exam questions requiring application. The purpose of this project was to help students link the physiologic concepts in the classroom with clinical application, as well as to improve their ability to explain those concepts to a client. We found that, as a result of this assignment, students developed a deeper understanding of physiologic processes and their clinical relevance and, subsequently, felt more confident conveying this knowledge to simulated clients. Implementation of this case project has been very well received by the students. Students improved their grasp of the material, and they indicated that the project contributed positively to their motivation to study and learn physiology.