Veterinary Cntinuus Educatin in Eurpe Internatinal nn-prfit assciatin Cmpetences fr the VETCEE accredited pig health & prductin prgrammes -- Apprved by The VETCEE Bard -- May 2014
Cmpetences fr the VETCEE accredited pig health & prductin prgrams Dssier f cmpetences and mdule descriptrs fr VETCEE accredited prcine prgrammes, drafted by the prcine sub-cmmittee f the VETCEE This draft was develped by representatives f the Eurpean Assciatin f Prcine Health Management (EAPHM) in cnjunctin with representatives f the Eurpean Cllege f Prcine Health Management (ECPHM). The prcine sub-cmmittee is cmprised by Attili Crradi Attili.crradi@gmail.cm (ECPHM) Peter Høgedal Peterhegedal35@gmail.dk (EAPHM) Rick Janssen r.janssen@vc-smeren.nl (EAPHM) Heik Nathues heik.nathues@vetsuisse.unibe.ch (EAPHM & ECPHM) Jens Peter Nielsen Jpni@sund.ku.dk (ECPHM) Versin 2.3 / 22. NOV 2013 This draft has been apprved by the Executive Cmmittee f the EAPHM (date f apprval: 22. NOV 2013) and the Bard f the ECPHM (date f apprval: 22. NOV 2013) fllwing a discussin with members f bth rganisatins. 1 f 16
Cntent f this dcument Intrductin... 2 Educatin in the prgrammes... 2 Assignments and examinatin... 2 Basic cmpetencies... 2 Prfessinal skills... 2 Main tpics... 2 Practise management and cmmunicatin... 2 Main tpics... 2 Herd investigatin... 2 Specific cmpetencies... 2 Infectius and nn-infectius diseases... 2 Reprductin... 2 Epidemilgy... 2 Animal prductin... 2 Animal welfare and ethics... 2 Fd safety & public health... 2 Drugs... 2 Surgery and anaesthesia... 2 Reprting and cmmunicatin (ICT)... 2 Other... 2 List f skills... 2 2 f 16
Intrductin The aim f this dcument is t prvide minimum standards that shuld be met by natinal pstgraduate prgrammes, which are intended t certify high level f knwledge, skills and cmpetences (KSC) in the field f pig health & prductin. It is anticipated that prgrammes meeting the standards and having been accredited by VETCEE will instantly step int mutual recgnitin. In case f accreditatin f natinal prgrammes r curses delivered by Eurpean bdies it is als expected that ECTS-credits (Eurpean Credit Transfer and Accumulatin System Credits) can be transferred int ther prgrammes (e.g. an accredited curse in epidemilgy with 2 ECTS delivered by a university in Denmark wuld be accepted as sufficient training in epidemilgy wrth 2 ECTS by any natinal bdy awarding a pstgraduate certificate in pig health & prductin [r equivalent] in anther cuntry then Denmark). Accrding t the Standards & Dssier f Cmpetencies f the VETCEE cmmittee, all curses/mdules shall be headed (at least jintly rganized) by EAEVE accredited r apprved institutins and shall have a quality assurance prgramme. The qualificatin level f the prgramme shuld crrespnd t EQF Level 7 that recgnise highly develped and cmplex levels f knwledge which enable the develpment f in-depth and riginal respnses t cmplicated and unpredictable prblems and situatins. Educatin in the prgrammes Befre starting the structured prgramme f pstgraduate training in pig health, clleagues shuld wrk in the crrespnding field fr at least ne year, i.e. in a practice dedicated in advising pig farms. The clleagues must have the equivalent f ne year full time experience in the area f pig health & pig prductin. The prgrammes themselves shuld be based n mdules (Table 1), which can be cmbined individually and can be taken n students cnvenience within three t nine years (minimum time after graduatin in Veterinary medicine t sit the exam: fur years (minimum ne year f practical experience befre starting a minimum f three years f structured prgramme; the prgram shuld be preferably 3 years, but the minimum is ne year; maximum time: ten years after starting the structured curse). Each mdule shuld be specified at a certain amunt f ECTS and the whle prgramme shuld cver 30 ECTS (apprximately 750 hurs f blended learning, including cntact hurs, thesis writing, presentatin f case reprts, study time, etc.) The prgramme prviders are encuraged t use a variety f teaching methds in rder t address the different learning styles. It is expected that classical lectures are accmpanied by / accmplished with 3 f 16
self-direct learning sessins, practical sessins, tutrials, case studies, wrkshps, written assignments, e-learning etc. Table 1: Overview f different mdules that cmprise the whle curse f standardised pstgraduate training in pig health & prductin as accredited by the VETCEE Mdule Percent f time* ECTS credits Hurs Prfessinal skills 3.33% 1.0 25.0 Practice management and cmmunicatin 3.33% 1.0 25.0 Herd investigatin 3.33% 1.0 25.0 Infectius and nn-infectius diseases 20.0% 6.0 150.0 Reprductin 10.0% 3.0 75.0 Epidemilgy 10.0% 3.0 75.0 Animal prductin 13.33% 4.0 100.0 Animal welfare and ethics 5.0% 1.5 37.5 Fd safety 6.66% 2.0 50.0 Drugs 10.0% 3.0 75.0 Surgery and anaesthesia 1.66% 0.5 12.5 Reprting and cmmunicatin (ICT) 6.66% 2.0 50.0 Other** 6.66% 2.0 50.0 TOTAL 100.0% 30.0 750.0 *20% f the teaching time shuld be cnfrntatin (face t face teaching) **in rder t allw inclusin f recent and emerging tpics in the field f prcine health and prductin, it is suggested t set aside 2 ECTS f the time fr these innvative subjects.. 4 f 16
Assignments and examinatin Cntinuus examinatin is strngly recmmended in rder t stimulate learning thrughut the whle studying perid. There shuld be at least sme frmative (if nt summative) assignments, which prepare the candidates fr their final exam. At the end f the whle curse, it is mandatry fr the successful candidate a) t have passed a cre exam f general knwledge and skills in pig health & prductin (this exam can be cnducted in ral r in written frmat and shuld cnsider all knwledge, skills and cmpetences) b) t have submitted at least tw deliveries in written frm, i.e. a case reprt, research/trial reprt, thesis r an integrative essay n a tpic f wn chice that finally reflects the EQF level 7 The rganizatin, dcumentatin and quality assurance f the assignment and examinatin is in the respnsibility f the prgramme prviders. 5 f 16
Basic cmpetencies Prfessinal skills Abut this unit: This mdule is intended t equip candidates with general key skills that are required fr an experienced pig practitiner acting independently r in a leadership rle, wh may be in charge f the delivery f high quality first pinin veterinary care. Candidates shuld be aware f welfare and ethical issues relevant t pig husbandry. There shuld be inclusin f persnnel develpment skills including the philsphy f life-lng learning. Als the candidates shuld be able t search fr infrmatin and be familiar with the evaluatin f the quality f different surces f infrmatin. The principles and purpse f accurate recrd keeping shuld be taught and demnstrated thrugh verificatin f practical experience and skills e.g. case lgs and reprts. Awareness and practical knwledge f implementing cmpliance t natinal requirements fr the safe handling and dispsal f relevant hazardus waste is required. Main tpics This mdule shuld include the fllwing tpics: Educatinal theries and hands-n skills fr CPD (cntinuus prfessinal develpment) Literature & literature search fr gathering infrmatin (e.g. CAB, Medline, pub med, etc.); use f scial media, blgs and ther WEB 2.0 surces (e.g. Facebk, LinkedIn, etc. t strengthen the netwrks) Welfare and ethics Accurate, legible and cmplete keeping f recrds Knwledge n safe and crrect dispsal f waste Knwledge n effective infectin cntrl measures and hygiene in practice. Health and safety 1.0 ECTS / 25 hurs 6 f 16
Practise management and cmmunicatin Abut this unit: The purpse f this mdule is t equip candidates with the necessary cmmunicatin and practise management skills required in the pig practice. Practice business skills in the areas utlined abve t a level that may be required by a senir clinician in charge f a practice r branch t a level that allws fr the sustainable delivery f high quality veterinary care in a prfessinal envirnment. Cmmunicatin with the client shuld be emphasized. Key cmmunicatins skills shuld include thse required t btain a cmprehensive clinical histry, t reprt treatment plans and results and t handle difficult situatins such as utbreak f ntifiable diseases, breakdwn f a whle ppulatin, ecnmic crisis and cmplaints. Team cmmunicatins shuld be knwn and candidates shuld be capable f fstering gd team wrk, delegating tasks, cnstructively criticizing and praising. Presentatin skills need t be develped t a level that enables the candidate presenting clinical cases and simple clinical trials t clleagues in the surrunding f a wrkshp r a scientific meeting. Candidates have t acquire cmpetence f cmmunicating histry t anther clleague and f reprting n prgress and results t wners. They shuld als be familiar with state-f-the-art cntinuity f case management. Main tpics This unit includes the fllwing areas: Understanding f the principles f gd cmmunicatin and gd case and client management. There shuld be sme prvisin fr practical training in cmmunicatin skills. Understanding f the cmmunicatins issues that arise when ffering referral fr specialist investigatin and treatment and cntinuity in case management. 1.0 ECTS / 25 hurs 7 f 16
Herd investigatin The aim f this sectin is t define the minimum needed knwledge and skills, which cmbine t the cmpetencies, that practitiner shuld be familiar with when perfrming herd visits fr the purpse f imprving pig health, public health, animal welfare, fd safety, as well as preventing disease utbreaks. Herd recrd evaluatin Disease prfiling Herd diagnsis Risk analysis Preventive Medicine 1.0 ECTS / 25 hurs 8 f 16
Specific cmpetencies The aim f this sectin is t define the minimum needed knwledge and skills, which cmbine t cmpetencies, that practitiner shuld be familiar with befre successful finishing the curse. The fields f knwledge are specified belw and described in detail in Table 2. It is in the respnsibility f the natinal prgramme team t define the actual cntent, which is expected t be biased by the cuntry, where the training takes place. Infectius and nn-infectius diseases In first pinin practice cmpetence in diagnsing, treating and preventing infectius and nninfectius diseases is essential. This unit will cver the knwledge and skills required t undertake diagnsis n grup and herd level, planning and applying treatment as well as designing preventin plans. Practical knwledge f herd examinatin and perfrmance f pathlgical examinatins are included in this mdule. Management and knwledge f viral, bacterial, parasitical and ther syndrmes f pigs in Eurpe and brdering cuntries (incl. knwledge f spread & transmissin f infectius diseases) Znses Diagnstic methds at individual and herd levels (incl. necrpsy and grss pathlgy and labratry technique) Passive & active / innate & acquired immunity and vaccinatin prgrammes Apprpriate EU legislatin and ntifiable diseases Bisecurity and infectius/nn-infectius disease cntrl methds (incl. cleaning and disinfectin) 6.0 ECTS / 150 hurs 9 f 16
Reprductin In first pinin practice cmpetence in diagnsing, treating and preventing reprductive prblems is essential. This mdule will cver the knwledge and skills required t undertake reprductin analysis n grup and herd level, planning and applying interventin as well as designing reprductin plans. Physilgy f reprductin Reprductive management, technlgy and husbandry Interpretatin f reprductive recrds Diagnsis f reprductive disrders, interventin & preventin Nenatlgy 3.0 ECTS / 75 hurs Epidemilgy The purpse f this mdule is t equip the candidate with a deep understanding f epidemilgy and statistics n the peratinal level. This unit will cver the applicatin f epidemilgical techniques, e.g. sample size calculatin, the design and interpretatin f trials in particular herds / prductin systems and the statistical analysis f data. Clinical trials Epidemilgical principles, techniques and methds Bistatistics (basic knwledge) incl. mnitring & surveillance Infrmatin and cmmunicatin technlgy (ICT) Evidence based herd interventin 3.0 ECTS / 75 hurs 10 f 16
Animal prductin This mdule is designed t facilitate a deep understanding f factrs in the prductin system that is affecting prductivity, welfare and health. Candidates will be able t identify deviatins and weaknesses in the prductin systems and crrect the settings tgether with apprpriate specialists (e.g. nutritinist, ecnmist, etc.). Herd Ecnmics n different levels Genetics Husing & climate Nutritin Management prcedures 4.0 ECTS / 100 hurs Animal welfare and ethics The aim f this mdule is preparing the candidate fr evaluating and imprving animal welfare in farm cnditins, during transprt f pigs, at slaughtering, etc. Mrever, the different ethical views n industrial pig prductin have t be discussed. Care and welfare f sick, stressed r injured pigs and imprving welfare in general Slaughtering and transprt methds Related natinal & EU legislatin and standards 1.5 ECTS / 37.5 hurs 11 f 16
Fd safety & public health This mdule aims t equip the candidates with knwledge and skills necessary fr preventing transmissin f znses, reducing the risk f expsing cnsumers t threats frm animals and animal prducts (e.g. drug residuals, antimicrbial resistance, needle in the neck, etc.). Pre-harvest fd safety measures Meat inspectin data and slaughter checks One Health principle Quality assurance schemes 2.0 ECTS / 50 hurs Drugs In first pinin practice cmpetence in treating diseases with drugs is essential. This mdule will cver the knwledge and skills required t crrectly and prudently prescribing and applying medicines based n a clear diagnsis including resistance testing in case f bacterial infectin. Practical knwledge f applicatin f drugs in herds is included in this mdule in rder t prvide efficacius treatment strategies. Therapeutics and medicines cntrl; prudent use f antibitics and NSAIDs Resistance t antimicrbials and anthelmintics EU medicine legislatin Administratin f medicines (including herd health management prgrammes) Integratin f knwledge abut pharmackinetic and pharmacdynamics 3.0 ECTS / 75 hurs 12 f 16
Surgery and anaesthesia This mdule shall give the candidate knwledge n pain relief, sedatin and anaesthesia as used in pig practice. Advanced surgical prcedures are very rare in pig prductin. Methds fr handling f hernia, prlapses and claw disrders in rder t ascertain health and welfare are described. Pain relief / sedatin/ anaesthesia Castratin Hernia, prlapses and claw handling 0.5 ECTS / 12.5 hurs Reprting and cmmunicatin (ICT) In first pinin practice cmpetences in reprting and cmmunicatin t clients and clleagues is essential. Dialgue techniques as well as cncise, clear and understandable written and ral cmmunicatin are trained hereunder presentatin techniques fr bigger grups f clients and clleagues shuld be trained. Reprt presentatins Reprt writing fr clients 2.0 ECTS / 50 hurs Other This mdule shall be reserved fr recent and emerging tpics in the field f prcine health and prductin. It is imprtant that subject f lcal relevance is dealt with in the prgramme. Emerging and re-emerging diseases Recent innvative develpments in e.g. prductin methds and cntrl strategies Lcal tpics related t reginal differences in pig health and prductin Glbal challenges related t pig health and prductin 13 f 16
Table 2: 2.0 ECTS / 50 hurs Detailed descriptin f fields f knwledge in the curse f standardised prgrammes f pig health & prductin as accredited by the VETCEE Generic cntents Specific cntents Infectius and nninfectius diseases Reprductin Epidemilgy Animal prductin Animal welfare& ethics Fd safety & public health Drugs Management and knwledge f viral, bacterial, parasitical and ther syndrmes f pigs in Eurpe and brdering cuntries (incl. knwledge f spread & transmissin f infectius diseases) Znses Diagnstic methds at individual and herd levels (incl. necrpsy and grss pathlgy and labratry technique) Passive & active / innate & acquired immunity and vaccinatin prgrammes Apprpriate EU legislatin and ntifiable diseases Bisecurity and infectius/nn-infectius disease cntrl methds (incl. cleaning and disinfectin) Physilgy f reprductin Reprductive management, technlgy and husbandry Interpretatin f reprductive recrds Reprductive failure Nenatlgy Clinical trials Epidemilgical principles, techniques and methds Bistatistics (basic knwledge) Infrmatin and cmmunicatin technlgy (ICT) Evidence based herd interventin Herd Ecnmics n different levels Genetics Husing & climate Nutritin Management prcedures Care and welfare f sick, stressed r injured pigs and imprving welfare in general Slaughtering and transprt methds Related natinal & EU legislatin and standards Pre-harvest fd safety measures Meat inspectin data and slaughter checks One Health Quality assurance schemes Therapeutics and medicines cntrl; prudent use f antibitics Resistance t antimicrbials and anthelmintics 14 f 16
EU medicine legislatin Administratin f medicines (including herd health management prgrammes) Integratin f knwledge abut pharmackinetic and pharmacdynamics Surgery & anesthesia Reprting and cmmunicatin Others Basic knwledge f methds and prcedures HR-management Reprt presentatins Reprt writing fr clients List f skills Mrever t the fields f knwledge, a list f skills (techniques) has been develped defining the minimum activities a candidate has t g thrugh befre finishing the prgramme: Cmmunicatin Clinical examinatin Cnditin scring Ultrasund Envirnmental examinatin Pst mrtem diagnstics Sampling (physilgical and pathlgical matrices, feed, water, etc.) incl. preservatin Labratry techniques Epidemilgy / statistics Sample size determinatin Test evaluatin Farm recrd interpretatin / mnitring Trail evaluatin / trial interpretatin Data management 15 f 16
Surgical prcedures Sedatin Castratin Prlapses Pain relief / sedatin Medicatin methds Reprting f findings, diagnsis, interventin measures Welfare evaluatin (animal / system) Euthanasia Slaughter check Internet cmpetencies The assignment testing the fulfilment f this requirement (r cntinuus participatin f the candidate in an apprpriate wrkshps, etc.) is in the respnsibility f the prgramme prvider. 16 f 16