A Virtual Veterinary Emergency Clinic – investigation of students' perceptions and self-efficacy beliefs

Authors

  • Rebecca Langhorn Københavns Universitet
  • Charlotte R. Bjørnvad Københavns Universitet
  • Anne Marie Fog-Larsen Københavns Universitet
  • Jakob L. Willesen Københavns Universitet
  • Michael May Københavns Universitet
  • Rikke Langebæk Københavns Universitet

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/dut.v13i25.103936

Abstract

At the University of Copenhagen, companion animal emergency medicine is taught in a clinical environment after students’ completion of basic theoretical and clinical courses. Students are often anxious about emergency shift partici-pation and the prospect of being the responsible veterinarian in emergency sit-uations. This study aimed to investigate whether inclusion of virtual patients in addition to real-life patients would increase students’ perceived self-efficacy in emergency medicine. Sixty-seven students were divided into two groups, one of which participated in regular emergency rotations, while the other also learned in a Virtual Emergency Clinic (VEC). Participating students were given a ques-tionnaire regarding course experience and self-efficacy, with responses on a 10-point Likert scale. The VEC group expressed a higher level of knowledge and sig-nificantly higher level of exposure to and ability to handle emergency patients. In addition, virtual problem-based learning appeared to increase veterinary students’ self-efficacy with regard to managing emergency patients in their fu-ture careers.

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Published

2018-09-28

How to Cite

Langhorn, R., Bjørnvad, C. R., Fog-Larsen, A. M., Willesen, J. L., May, M., & Langebæk, R. (2018). A Virtual Veterinary Emergency Clinic – investigation of students’ perceptions and self-efficacy beliefs. The Danish Journal of Higher Education, 13(25), 120–133. https://doi.org/10.7146/dut.v13i25.103936

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Section

Specialised article