gms | German Medical Science

Clinical Correlates in the 1^st year of the DVM program at Texas A&M University introduces the veterinary student to clinical problem solving and aims to teach basic clinical skills such as history taking, physical exam and basic technical skills such as handling and administering medications, venipuncture & intravenous catheter placement, and instrument handling. In recent years simulators have be added to the course to give the students a hands on opportunity to learn practice these skills. Silicone based subcutaneous injection model that allows for tenting of skin have been developed as well as models that provide a resistance to injection similar to muscle tissue for intramuscular injections. These models are used to teach syringe and needle handling as well as introducing the student to giving subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. Intravenous models for the canine cephalic vein and equine jugular vein are used to teach venipuncture and IV catheter placement. In spring 2015 a canine saphenous vein model was also developed and introduced to the course. A variety of suture models, both silicone based and fabric based are made in house and used to teach students basic instrument handling with a particular focus on forceps and ringed instruments as the students learn and practice simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns. The most recent simulator addition to the course has been a feline neuter model to teach and allow repeated practice of hand and instrument based hemostatic knot techniques.