The best type of practice is in context – doing what the learners will be doing in the real world. That can be challenging. In veterinary medicine, we often teach learners in referral institutions. This makes for a mismatch between learner needs and learner opportunities.

Many times the clinical year is run by or supported by in practice opportunities; however, these are restricted to the final year learners. And restrictions due to owner involvement may still apply.  Shelter medicine programs remove that restriction for many cases.

To support the earlier learners, programs have developed partnerships with neighborhood, tribes, and shelters to offer low cost care. These programs are primarily student run with clinician supervision. Peer mentoring and training is key. Communication and collaboration skills are developed alongside psychomotor skills!

Resources

ZN Hedge et al. Exploring the Effects of Participation in a Shelter Medicine Externship on Student Knowledge and Self-Confidence. 2019 JVME 46(1):4-16. clinical year

JM Shivley et al. Clinically Prepared Veterinary Students: Enhancing Veterinary Student Hands-on Experiences and Supporting Hospital Caseload Using Shelter Medicine Program. 2018 Frontiers Vet Sci Vol 5 article 95. clinical year

K Sample et al. Student-run free clinics: providing more than care. 2017. JAVMA 250(6):612-614.