Changing curricula: Phase 1

While 4th year vet students are still completing modified shifts at the on-campus teaching hospital, lower year students are losing out on shadowing opportunities.

 DIARY OF A VET STUDENT

Exploring how COVID-19 has impacted the veterinary program at OVC

ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY CARLEIGH CATHCART

As with most everything else in life, the curricula at OVC has changed somewhat drastically in response to COVID-19 limitations. In this article, we will explore the first year of vet school — Phase 1 — in ‘normal’ times, and how it looks quite different for the 2020-2021 academic year.

COURSES

The actual content of the courses for Phase 1 students has changed very little. The same classes as in prior years are expected to be taken by every student: anatomy, histology, physiology, clinical medicine, health management, developmental biology, and art of veterinary medicine. However, the way these courses are delivered is drastically different.

PRESENCE ON CAMPUS

Instead of the usual 6-8 hours a day in class Monday through Friday, Phase 1 students are expected to be on campus just 1-3 days per week for smaller, specific periods of time. These sessions include components of courses that necessitate in-person learning, such as physical exam practice and anatomy labs. Lectures are held online, either live or pre-recorded.

While the reduced commutes are surely a blessing for some, there are elements of frustration surrounding the barriers to learning a hands-on profession in a primarily virtual environment. The anatomy labs, which have historically been 3-hour, team-oriented dissection periods, are now largely no-touch, 7-minute individual rotations of observation stations.

Other class activities, such as shadowing shifts to be completed at the Primary Health Care Centre (a small animal teaching hospital on campus), have been replaced with assignments, making clinical exposure inaccessible for some of the newest members of the veterinary profession.

ASSESSMENTS

Unsurprisingly, there are several evaluations per month for veterinary students. With the exception of a few assignments, the majority of assessments are written tests and exams, which were traditionally held in the morning before class started. This year, Phase 1 students will be doing these tests online.

For anatomy, students were historically subject to viva voce (oral) exams with their practice groups. These assessments served as in-person evaluations that utilize a problem-solving, anatomic knowledge, and teamwork approach. These assessments have also been replaced by online quizzes.

MEETING ONE’S COLLEAGUES

Under normal circumstances, first year veterinary students are divided into ‘practice groups’ of 10. Members are chosen to maximize the different strengths, experiences, and personalities of each group. While these practice groups have still been formed for the Class of 2024, typical team building activities such as those during orientation are not being held. Instead, online team meetings and Facebook chats serve as the primary method of communication. Certain labs and discussion groups are held similarly.

“It’s nice not having to commute every day, but it is also more isolating and sometimes frustrating. I probably don’t know my other classmates like I normally would,” a first year vet student admitted when asked about the impact of virtual learning during their first year.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Like any other undergraduate program, vet school is about so much more than what you learn in class. This is true in any phase, and every student at OVC is feeling the impact on not only their academic life, but also their extra-curricular interactions, too. Student clubs that normally run labs, lunchtime pizza talks, and field trips have been forced to reimagine what they can offer to members. Professional networking events such as contests, conferences, and industry displays have been cancelled or moved virtually. Charity events including fundraisers, sales, and auctions have been cancelled or otherwise limited in scope.

The Omega Tau Sigma professional veterinary fraternity has also experienced significant barriers to holding their events, which are by nature meant to bring people together and provide peer support among upper and lower year students. Large social events, including parties, potlucks, the winter formal, and the welcome-back barbecue have been cancelled altogether. Introductory components for Phase 1 students have been drastically altered to comply with provincial regulations. Bi-weekly meetings have been replaced with regular digital updates.

OVERALL IMPACT

It’s rather obvious that this year things look a lot different at OVC, and everywhere else. While the changes enacted may be viewed as necessary, it’s perfectly acceptable to admit there is a lot of disappointment and frustration in the air. Every person has made some level of sacrifice in this pandemic, and our ability to acknowledge these challenges and seek solutions together will hopefully make this experience a bit less daunting. Support others, seek support for yourself, and remember that you are not alone. And finally, a special welcome to OVC’s Class of 2024, the Topaz Turtles!

This is part one in a series of ‘Diary of a Vet Student,’ exploring how COVID-19 changes have impacted the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).