VET 407: CONNECTIONS YEAR 1
MODULE 1: VMTH ORIENTATION & FACILITY NAVIGATION
- UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH): layout, departments, emergency protocols
- Main departments: Small Animal Internal Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Oncology, Emergency/Trauma
- Large Animal facility: equine surgery, ruminant medicine, exotic animal care
- Support services: Laboratory, Imaging (radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI), Pharmacy, Anesthesia
- Clinical rounds: departmental rounds, case presentations, clinical decision-making discussions
- Patient flow: admission → examination → diagnostics → treatment plan → discharge/referral
- Electronic medical records (EMR): charting requirements, SOAP notes, imaging interpretation
MODULE 2: CLINICAL INTEGRATION & CASE-BASED LEARNING
- Transitioning from classroom to bedside: applying didactic knowledge to patient care
- Clinical reasoning: problem identification, differential diagnosis formulation, diagnostic prioritization
- Case management: gathering history, physical examination, diagnostic plan, therapeutic interventions
- Mentorship model: learning from senior clinicians, asking questions, observation → hands-on participation
- Documentation and communication: clear charting, case presentations to peers/faculty, client communication
- Ethical decision-making: informed consent, end-of-life care, resource allocation, professional responsibility
MODULE 3: PAIRED MENTORING WITH YEAR 4 STUDENTS
- Mentorship structure: Y4 (mentor) paired with Y1 student (mentee) throughout clinical rotations
- Y4 mentor roles: demonstrate procedures, explain clinical reasoning, provide constructive feedback
- Y1 responsibilities: active engagement, prepared questions, reflection on learning experiences
- Rotation exposures: shadow Y4 on small animal medicine, surgery, emergency cases; ask for hands-on opportunities
- Clinical shadowing expectations: arrive on time, appropriate attire/PPE, maintain confidentiality, engage thoughtfully
- Building professional networks: meet faculty, staff, colleagues; establish reputation through reliability and professionalism
MODULE 4: CLINICAL SKILLS & PROCEDURES
- Physical examination: systematic approach, documentation, recognizing normal vs abnormal findings
- Venipuncture: collection sites (jugular, cephalic, saphenous), blood tube selection, sample handling
- Catheterization: IV catheter placement, maintenance, infection prevention (aseptic technique)
- Medication administration: routes (IV, IM, SC, oral, topical), calculations, documentation
- Wound management: assessment, cleaning, suture/staple removal, bandaging/dressing changes
- Assistance in procedures: positioning patients, restraint, maintaining surgical field, instrument handling
MODULE 5: PROFESSIONALISM & COMMUNICATION
- Professional expectations: punctuality, reliability, respectful communication with team, client interactions
- HIPAA/confidentiality: patient privacy protection, appropriate information sharing, secure documentation
- Conflict resolution: addressing concerns respectfully, seeking mentorship/guidance, continuous improvement
- Wellness: managing stress/burnout, self-care, peer support, work-life balance
- Continuous learning: seeking feedback, reflective practice, identifying knowledge gaps, lifelong learning mindset