Veterinary undergraduates' attitudes to and understanding of clinical skills learning

The study investigated student understanding of development of their clinical skills learning, focusing on personal experiences of the learning strategies they employ and their experiences of judging their own competency, integrating skills and transferring skill knowledge.

Twenty-nine veterinary students from two veterinary schools took part in semi-structured interviews investigating their perceptions of clinical skills importance and development. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was used for data analysis.

Themes that were developed were: (1) Students understand clinical skills to be individual technical practical skills but also understand how skills are combined to achieve complex tasks. (2) Students understand the concept of competency development and learn skills, review their progress and self-audit their skill competency in similar ways throughout the course. (3) Personal confidence, success and positive communication with peers and supervisors are critical to learn clinical skills.

Students understand clinical skills learning and use reflective skills widely to track developing skills competency. Prioritising individual feedback within practical sessions and training on integration of skills and communicating with supervisors ahead of clinical placements would be beneficial. Training in clinical skills study techniques, reflection and resilience will enable students to be proactive and to manage their feelings around uncertainty.