Development and Validation of an Equine Castration Model and Rubric

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Equine castration is a frequent surgical procedure in veterinary practice.
• Limited patient availability restricts opportunities for veterinary students to practice this skill.
• Deliberate practice is crucial for developing competence in surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and validate a recumbent equine castration model for surgical skills training.
• To assess the model's suitability for teaching and evaluating equine castration competence.
• To provide a low-stress environment for improving students' surgical skills.

Main Methods:

• A recumbent equine castration model was developed.
• A validation framework included content, internal structure, and relationship evidence.
• Third-year veterinary students and experienced veterinarians performed simulated castrations on the model.
• Participants were video-recorded, and performance was assessed using a rubric and survey.

Main Results:

• 100% of veterinarians found the model suitable for teaching and assessment.
• The scoring rubric demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.805).
• Veterinarians performed castrations faster and achieved higher global rating scores than students.
• No significant difference in total checklist scores, but veterinarians better checked for bleeding.

Conclusions:

• The validated equine castration model and rubric effectively enhance surgical skills in a simulated environment.
• This tool can improve student proficiency in a challenging field procedure.
• The model serves as a valuable adjunct to live animal practice in veterinary education.