Developing and Implementing a Competency-Based Veterinary Medicine Program at the Université de Montréal

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medical Education
• Curriculum Reform
• Competency-Based Education

Background:

• The Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Université de Montréal identified specific competency deficiencies through annual surveys.
• Existing curriculum required enhancement to meet evolving standards in veterinary medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively reform the DVM program by integrating a competency-based approach.
• To improve student competency and address identified deficiencies.
• To align educational strategies with current trends in medical education.

Main Methods:

• Development of a seven-competency framework with specific elements.
• Creation of learning-assessment situations (LAS) for active and contextualized learning.
• Implementation of a competency development and assessment pathway (CDAP) matrix.
• Introduction of a learning portfolio and competency certification process.

Main Results:

• Preliminary assessments indicate positive shifts in program perception among staff and students.
• The reform successfully integrated a competency-based framework into the DVM curriculum.
• Challenges related to human resource constraints were identified.

Conclusions:

• The reform successfully enhanced the DVM program by adopting a competency-based approach.
• Tailoring educational strategies to institutional environments is crucial for maintaining rigor and quality.
• The initiative aligns with broader trends in medical and veterinary education reform.