Improve Veterinary Education has launched a series of online video-based modular programmes for veterinary professionals called “Focus 20”.
Each programme offers 40 CPD hours and 20 ISVPS points towards the new career path My Veterinary Career and My Veterinary Nurse Career.
Shorter than a full postgraduate course and longer than a one- or two-day short course, each Focus 20 programme spans approximately five months.
When a vet or nurse registers for one of the programmes, they will also receive free access to the RCVS Knowledge Library and a Improve Veterinary Practice Membership for one year.
The courses are accredited by the International School of Postgraduate Veterinary Studies (ISVPS) and are pending validation by Harper Adams University for 20 academic credits.
Also included is access to a group forum with input from veterinary specialist tutors.
The Focus 20 programmes can not only help veterinary professionals gain extra points towards their career path, but can also help any vet or nurse wanting to upgrade their skills and meet their annual CPD targets.
The topics span a range of everyday clinical practice subjects. Currently, veterinary professionals can register for:
- Pet bereavement (includes nurses)
- Geriatric medicine
- Parasitology
- Cytology in small animal practice
- Clinical nutrition
- Nephrology
- Clinical communication skills (includes nurses)
Later in the year, more Focus 20 programmes will be introduced, covering:
- Arthroscopy
- Anaesthesia and analgesia
- POCUS and the use of ultrasound in the emergency patient
- Diagnostic imaging for the internal medicine patient
- One health
- Critical evaluation of evidence (includes nurses)
- Health and well-being (includes nurses)
- Small animal practice foundation
Commenting, David Babington, MRCVS, academic and product development director at Improve Veterinary Education said: “Vets and nurses must be masters of so many different areas of veterinary medicine – from ensuring owners understand their pet’s treatment to getting to the bottom of complex conditions – that it becomes difficult to develop skills in all of the necessary topics.
“These new Focus 20 programmes provide the key for veterinary professionals to improve both clinical and soft skills that are required for running a successful practice without compromising their busy schedule.
“We are excited to see what the future holds for these brilliant programmes.”
In the future, these programmes will also be available to veterinary professionals in other countries including Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, the USA and the Nordic region.
Find out more about the Focus 20 programmes for vets and Focus 20 programmes for vet nurses on Improve Veterinary Education’s website.
