An Innovative Approach to Post-graduate Education in Veterinary Public Health
Toribio, Jenny-Ann Forsyth, Hannah Elise Laxton, R. Whittington, Richard J.
Toribio, Jenny-Ann
Forsyth, Hannah Elise
Laxton, R.
Whittington, Richard J.
Abstract
The past decade has seen a substantially increased need for animal health professionals who have advanced education in areas that impact on veterinary public health (VPH). The University of Sydney has made a significant contribution to the international capacity for training in this field by developing an online, distance program in Veterinary Public Health Management. This paper describes the distinctive characteristics of this program, which combines technical material in a range of units that influence VPH with leadership and project management. It then describes the educational model developed for delivery of its course material, including the four modalities that are structured to support engaged learning by busy animal health professionals who are working full-time (self-led, facilitator-led, peer-led, and assessment-led instructional approaches). Finally, having reflected on the efficacy of this model for post-graduate training in VPH, we discuss the progress of the program since its inception in 2002, reflecting on the challenges it has encountered and defining the factors that are critical to the success of this program.
Keywords
veterinary graduate education, distance education, veterinary public health, leadership, management
Date
2009
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Vetinary Medical Education
Book
Volume
Issue
Page Range
114-121
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts