Optimizing Student Outcomes: A Comparison of Two Teaching Methods for Identifying Vegetal Foreign Bodies in Canine...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Skills Training

Background:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is an underutilized skill in veterinary medicine.
• Effective teaching methods are needed to improve student competence in identifying vegetal foreign bodies (VFB).
• Current veterinary curricula offer limited instruction in ultrasonography for VFB detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of simulation models in teaching veterinary students to identify vegetal foreign bodies (VFB) using ultrasonography.
• To compare two teaching methods: video with demonstration versus written instructions only.
• To assess the impact of these methods on student confidence and competence in VFB identification.

Main Methods:

• Fourth-year veterinary science students (n=38) used forelimb models containing wild oaten grass seeds (Avena fatua).
• Students were randomly assigned to receive either video/demonstration instructions or written instructions.
• Participants completed pre- and post-surveys and were assessed on their ability to locate the VFB in the simulation model.

Main Results:

• Students receiving video and written instructions were 1.92 times more likely to identify the VFB compared to those receiving only written instructions (53% success rate, p=.0327).
• The trial group demonstrated significantly improved VFB identification skills.
• All students expressed willingness to use ultrasonography for canine VFB identification in the future.

Conclusions:

• Simulation models are beneficial for teaching ultrasonographic VFB identification in veterinary students.
• Visual and verbal (video) instruction significantly enhances VFB identification compared to written instruction alone.
• This approach provides a valuable, consequence-free learning environment for developing essential veterinary skills.