New Cambridge Research Module for RCVS Certificate

The RCVS has accredited Cambridge University to assess a new module in Veterinary Clinical Research, adding to the range now available as part of the RCVS postgraduate Certificate.

The new module has been developed to help clinical practitioners develop their research skills.

Successful candidates will develop the ability to formulate an answerable research question; design a research project to obtain evidence of the correct answer while avoiding obvious bias and other errors; undertake the research proposed in the project design; and write up the results to a standard that would pass the veterinary journal peer-review process.

The modular RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice was launched during 2007 and gives candidates the benefit of a mix and match style of learning. This aims to suit better those who are committed to planned continuing professional development (CPD) but need to balance this with busy practice life.

The new Certificate also better meets the needs of those whose interests change over the enrolment period – whereas previously there was little flexibility built into the system.

Thanks to the Cambridge Infectious Diseases Consortium’s Clinical Research Outreach Programme, which has been created to establish an active network of motivated, research-capable veterinarians working in clinical practice or practice-related roles, the course run by Cambridge to support the module is currently available free to practitioners.

The assessment fee will be £450, and there is an assessment-only route available to those who cannot attend the Cambridge course.

“Having run this Veterinary Training and Research Initiative (VTRI) funded course for several years it is apparent that many practitioners are enthusiastic about performing clinical research. This new module now provides a way for practitioners to incorporate their work on the course into their CPD portfolio as part of an RCVS Certificate,” says Dr Mark Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Preventive Vet Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

“We are delighted to add another module to the range available for those pursuing the modular Certificate,” says Freda Andrews, Head of Education at the RCVS. “Through the activities of its Research Subcommittee, the College is keen to promote the importance of research in a clinical environment and this new module should help a new cadre of clinical researchers to tap into the wealth of information available in practice.”

More information about the course, and the Clinical Research Outreach Programme, is available from Dr Mark Holmes at Cambridge University on 01223 335 636 or Meg Staff.

To help steer would-be candidates through the new options available, the RCVS will be hosting a presentation followed by a question and answer session at this year’s BSAVA Congress at 12.10pm on Friday 4 April.