Enhanced Student-Perceived Confidence and Experience with an Advanced Oncology Elective Using Oncology-Based...

Veterinary medicine training is demanding, particularly in the pre-clinical phase, which requires a structured approach to competency development to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to become competent professionals. While the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges' Competency-Based Veterinary Education 2.0 framework defines general competency domains and competencies, standardized oncology-specific sub-competencies remain undefined. To address this gap, this study evaluated the impact of the Advanced Oncology Elective at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on students' skills and confidence. A cross-sectional survey conducted from February to June 2023 targeted Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine students in semesters 6-10 and alumni, assessing their perceived importance, experience, and confidence in oncology skills using a four-point Likert-type scale based on oncological sub-competencies from domains 1, 2, and 5. Over half of the graduating class in this study expressed a perceived lack of confidence and experience in many of the skills encompassed by the sub-competencies. Among 239 respondents (20.2% response rate), confidence was generally high for basic oncology tasks but lower for more complex responsibilities such as diagnostic planning and chemotherapy administration. Students who completed both the Advanced Oncology Elective and an oncology rotation demonstrated greater confidence in select skills, highlighting the benefits of comprehensive training. However, limitations such as a low response rate, potential self-selection bias, and variability in clinical placements may impact the study's generalizability. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for more structured oncology training in veterinary education, such as outlined sub-competencies, as additional learning opportunities improve confidence in fundamental skills but curriculum refinement is necessary to better prepare students for clinical practice in veterinary oncology.