VET SC 7420ARW - Clinical Pathology Interpretation - Part A

Course Details

Course Code	VET SC 7420ARW
Course	Clinical Pathology Interpretation - Part A
Coordinating Unit	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Contact	Up to 5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	DVM or equivalent
Restrictions	Restricted to Master of Philosophy in Veterinary Pathology students only. Restricted to domestic students only who have completed a DVM (or equivalent).
Assessment	Case logs, clinical performance, oral presentations

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Scott Lindsay

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
1	Understand sample requirements and basic processing techniques for routine haematology and biochemistry submissions, and develop the abilities to interpret test results and provide high-level reporting to clinicians.
2	Develop a basic understanding of collection and processing requirements and of test interpretation, for more specialised analysis such as bone marrow aspirates, coagulation studies, endocrinological analysis, and protein assessment (acute-phase reagents, electrophoretic assessment).
3	Understand sample requirements and basic processing techniques for urinalysis submissions, including biochemical and concentration assessment, perform wet-prep and stained sediment smear examinations, and interpret test results in the context of all available data to provide a professional level report to clinicians.
4	Understand sample preservation requirements, perform processing techniques, and microscopically review cytological specimens (fluids, solid tissue aspirates) with interpretation and writing of high-level reports to clinicians.
5	Review and in some cases perform testing (faecal) for parasitological, microbiological and molecular data, and interpret the results in the context of all available clinical pathology data for reporting of findings to submitting clinician.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1 - 5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1 - 5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 2, 5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1 - 5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1 - 5
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	.
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	.
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1 - 5

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

The student will be supervised by faculty veterinary pathologists and professional laboratory staff in receipt, processing and examination of veterinary clinical pathology specimens received through the University of Adelaide’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Specimens will comprise the major domestic species and wildlife species (where available). There will be opportunity for placement at external veterinary laboratories such as AgriBio (LaTrobe University), and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (CSIRO - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).

Learning activities will comprise a mix of independent and mentor-guided study, including but not limited to:

Supervised participation in the diagnostic service case load at the University of Adelaide’s VDL
Written reports and case log book for clinical pathology cases
Weekly clinical pathology case studies of current and archived VDL submissions
Review of any cytological images in Noah’s Arkive and Wednesday slide conference
Participation in clinical rounds within the VDL and Veterinary Health Centres
Study of pertinent texts and resources (As per recommendations of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists)
- One general pathology textbook:
  - Robbins and Cotran (chapters 1–7), OR
  - McGavin and Zachary (section 1)

Textbooks (a selection of the many available, for reference only)

Atlas of Canine and Feline Peripheral Blood Smears, 1st Ed. (2014), Amy Valenciano, Rick Cowell, Theresa Rizzi, and Ronald Tyler
- Roseworthy Library – 1 copy (636.08960756 V152a)
Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 2nd Ed. (2008), Steven L. Stockham, and Michael A. Scott.
- Roseworthy Library – 3 copies (636.089607 S8648f)
Canine and Feline Cytology: a Color Atlas and Interpretation Guide, 3rd Ed. (2016) or 2nd Ed. (2010), Rose E. Raskin and Denny J. Meyer.
- Roseworthy Library – online
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology, 3rd Ed. (2016), Elizabeth Villiers and Laura Blackwood Eds.
- Roseworthy Library – online and 1 copy (636.7089607 V752b)
Practical Veterinary Urinalysis, 1st Ed. (2012), Carolyn A. Sink and Nicole M. Weinstein
- Roseworthy Library – online and 1 copy (636.08966 S6179p)

Online resources
- eClinPath. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine online textbook of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. www.eclinpath.com
- Relevant journal articles (Vet Clin Path, JVDI, J Comp Path, NEJM) for current and preceding 2 years
Review of gross pathology images (Noah’s Archive, Cornell website, etc)

Guidelines for Resident Training in Veterinary Clinical Pathology. I. Clinical Chemistry. Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 2003; 32:202-208.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. II. Hematology. Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 2006; 35:382–387.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. III: Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 2009; 38:281–287.

Specific Course Requirements

Students must have current registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia.
All assessments are compulsory.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Hurdle? Yes or No	Learning Outcome	Due
1,500 word case log (clinical pathology cases)	Formative and summative	20%	No	1, 2, 3	Week 12 semester 1
1,500 word case log (clinical pathology cases)	Summative	50%	Yes	1, 2, 3	Week 12 semester 2
Ongoing assessment of clinical performance (50%)	Formative and summative	30%	Yes	1, 4, 5	Ongoing
Oral presentations (e.g. rounds presentations)	Formative	0%	No	1, 4, 5	Ongoing

An exemption to the hurdle requirements of the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy has been approved by the Faculty of Sciences for 2022.

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment Item with hurdle	% needed to meet hurdle	Is additional assessment available if student does not meet hurdle requirement, if no please explain	If additional assessment is available, explain what type
1,500 word case log (clinical pathology cases)	50%	Yes	Resubmission of case log
Ongoing assessment of clinical performance (50%)	50%	No. The course would need to be repeated. As this is ongoing assessment beginning when the course begins, students will be alerted early on if their performance is substandard and not likely to result in completion of the hurdle.

Assessment Detail

The Clinical Pathology Interpretation course is a 3 unit course delivered over 2 semesters, comprised of Part A and Part B. A final grade is only given in Part B, which comprises all assessments undertaken in Part A and Part B.

1,500 word case log (20%)
The case logs will comprise largely written clinical pathology interpretations. This will be due at the end of the first semester. Assessment is formative and summative.

1,500 word case log (50%)
The case logs will comprise largely written clinical pathology interpretations. This will be due at the end of the second semester. Assessment is summative.

Ongoing assessment of clinical performance (30%)
Assessment will be conducted by supervising pathologist/s. Students will be assessed on the basis of a rubric which evaluates Knowledge, Diagnostic Reasoning and Problem solving, Technical Skills, Communication Skills, Case management and Professional behaviours. Assessment is ongoing throughout semesters 1 and 2.

Oral presentations (0%)
Students will be required to present cases or seminars to peers/ colleagues throughout the course.
Feedback will be informal from mentors/ peers. This is a formative assessment.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator