title: [Qualitative study of the acceptance and the requirements of a clinical skills lab at a university of veterinary medicine].
abstract: In the education of veterinary medicine undergraduate students are taught theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills in order to become practically trained professionals. A possibility to teach practical skills is a center for clinical skills ("Clinical Skills Lab"). Students can train skills and gain experience through frequent repetitions of exercises. To respect animal welfare and introduce alternative methods to animal testing simulators and models are used in such a skills lab. In the current study the demands for a center for clinical skills and its equipment should be identified. The hypothesis should be proven, that students and teachers of veterinary medicine are highly motivated to enhance the education in practical skills. Focus group interviews were conducted with students, veterinarians (private practitioners), lecturers of veterinary medicine and experts for simulation of clinical skills. Needs and requirements of students participating in skills lab classes were identified.The interviews were conducted in individual or in group interviews. Many opinions, topics and needs were expressed, from which great benefit for the development of the skills lab can be drawn. The hypothesis that a skills lab is supported by all participants had to be rejected. Especially students were afraid of this new lab, because no former experience existed. In the interviews many needs and requirements were raised. However, they could easily be summarized to formulate an accurate list of requirements for the Clinical Skills Lab. A Skills Lab planned taking into consideration the results of this qualitative study will have a positive impact on veterinary medical education and teaching. According to empirical values of experts from other Skills Labs a widespread acceptance by the users can be expected on a long-term basis.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rösch
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schaper
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tipold
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Jan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ehlers
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*