VET-30017 - Module Specification
Harper and Keele Veterinary School
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

VET-10009 Professional Skills and Academic Practice
VET-20007 Communication and Professional Skills

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module will be delivered using lectures, tutorials and small group interactive sessions, both face-to-face and online. Visiting speakers from industry combined with case-based sessions and activities such as workshops.
This module addresses the following RCVS competencies:
3 - Demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate evidence, in support of practising evidence based veterinary medicine
4 - Apply principles of clinical governance
9 - Demonstrate situational awareness through navigating, responding and reflecting on the economic and emotional context in which the veterinary surgeon operates
15 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the organisation, management and legislation related
to a veterinary business
17 - Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience concerned
19 - Work effectively as a member of a professional/inter-professional team, fully recognising
the contribution of each professional, and demonstrate an understanding of cognitive diversity
21 - Communicate clearly and collaborate with referral, diagnostic and other professional services

The aims of this module are to:
1. To develop further the skills of reflective practice;
2. To introduce business concepts including staff and practice management, employment law and basic finance;
3. To help the student identify stress in self and colleagues and appreciate the causes of stress in the workplace.
4. To introduce the concept of quality improvement and clinical audit.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Evaluate the relationships between people and make suggestions to improve the effectiveness of staff: 1
Evaluate the legislation related to a veterinary business: 1
Synthesise the principles of operations management and apply these principles to ensure effective, efficient and ethical running of the practice: 1
Analyse the factors that affect the economic and emotional context in which a veterinary surgeon operates: 1
Apply the principles of clinical governance to veterinary practice, including the use of clinical audit to evaluate and suggest improvements to practice: 2

Study hours

10 hours lectures
40 hours tutorials & workshops
0.5 hours presentation (maximum)
99.5 hours independent learning

School Rules

Additional pre-requisite: VET-30009 Law, Ethics and Professional Practice

Description of Module Assessment