Plans launched for future Extra Mural Studies (EMS) policy

We have today launched our plans for a new Extra Mural Studies (EMS) Policy that aims to improve learning, flexibility and opportunity for all.

Planned key changes within the new policy include the introduction of quality assurance measures for EMS to increase the consistency of high value placements and allow for a reduction in the number of hours vet students are expected to spend on EMS placements.

The policy will also allow students to complete their EMS in a much more flexible manner, with longer and/or shorter placements being made possible, and students being given the freedom to choose which EMS placements would benefit them most. To facilitate the new approach, a national EMS database is being developed to support the administration of placements and facilitate matching students’ wishes with provider offerings.

The new EMS policy framework is expected to come into force from autumn 2024 onwards and, in the intervening period, we will be working extensively with the vet schools, EMS practices and student representatives to embed the changes.

In order to address existing challenges being faced by veterinary students, veterinary schools and EMS providers under the current system, the new policy will take a multifaceted approach and focus on four main areas:

• An enhanced approach to EMS achieved through additional quality assurance measures, enabling the number of weeks of EMS required by students to be reduced.
• Greater flexibility and more outcomes-based approach, allowing students to identify their own learning outcomes for EMS in areas most relevant and of interest to them, and achieve the experience in different ways.
• Clear information for students on what specific EMS placements can offer, in terms of experience and support.
• Measures to increase the accessibility and availability of EMS placements across the profession, through improved guidance, promotion and recognition of the benefits to all parties and incentives for providers.

Plans for the future EMS policy were informed by insights gained from a variety of stakeholders from across the industry, including delegate feedback from an EMS Stakeholder Event that we hosted in November 2021, which looked to develop an EMS policy sustainable for the future and search for solutions to common obstacles such as student finances and the cost of EMS, as well as the quality and availability of placements.

In addition, feedback from a variety of sources was used to inform the plans, including our surveys of new graduates, the 2019 Graduate Outcomes consultation, and the new accreditation standards consultation, which all had high response rates from the profession. Ongoing conversations with key stakeholder groups including the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS), the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) and EMS Coordinators Liaison Group also played, and will continue to play, a key part in the rollout of the new policy.

Kate Richards, Chair of RCVS Education Committee and RCVS Senior Vice-President, commented: “It is clear that change is needed in order to make EMS sustainable in the longer term and fulfil its potential to be a valuable addition to the professional development of the next generation of vets. However, this needs to be done in such a way as to minimise the risk of unintended consequences that could have an impact on our future graduates and new members of the profession”.

"The new policy will aim to increase the consistency of quality of placements and provide a more valuable experience for all parties...We are aiming for quality and equality over quantity."

Kate Richards MRCVS
Education Committee Chair

“A key priority of the new policy is to reduce the financial burden of attending EMS placements on students, as this often exacerbates the challenges already being faced by students from differing socio-economic backgrounds. We aim to do this through reducing the number of weeks spent on placement and allowing students to take EMS placements more flexibly for example in single days over a longer period as well as longer blocks, meaning they can work more flexibly around work, family and caring commitments.

“To allow for this reduction, the new policy will aim to increase the consistency of quality of placements and provide a more valuable experience for all parties. Whilst there are many excellent placements under the current system it is clear there is space to develop a more consistent approach to prevent varying degrees of quality or effectiveness of placements. We are aiming for quality and equality over quantity.”

RCVS Director of Education, Linda Prescott-Clements, added: “The new EMS policy will be student-led with a more outcomes focus based on the individual learning needs of students. It will encourage early conversations between students and the EMS provider in order to plan the experience and manage expectations on both sides.

“In order to support students in doing EMS in areas they feel will benefit them the most, the new policy will not impose any specific placement requirements for species and type.

“It is important that students feel motivated and engaged with the working environment when on EMS. The new approach will place greater emphasis on feedback and reflection to give students more autonomy to develop their own interests, reflect on their achievements, and consider what further experience they might benefit from in the future.”

Annie McGilvray, fourth-year veterinary student at The University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, added: “As a current student, I think that EMS plays a vital role in our education as it allows us to gain real life work experience and build our confidence, both in a professional and personal capacity.

“However, as it stands with the current policy, there are many challenges being faced by students when undertaking EMS including financial pressures, availability and accessibility of placements, and the varying quality of placements. It can be somewhat of a lottery. The new policy takes all these issues into account and will help to level the playing field whilst giving us, as students, much more autonomy. It will remove some of the pressure and make the whole experience much more rewarding for everyone involved.”

The RCVS Education Committee agreed to the new proposals in September. To support the new approach, the RCVS has already committed to building a national database of EMS placements which will be integral to the new system. It is hoped the database will ease the administrative burden around placements for both the veterinary schools and students, as well as providers. The database is currently in the early stages of development, but further stakeholder input will be sought as the project progresses.

Further work on other aspects of improving the EMS experience will also continue to be rolled out. This includes the creation of an online hub to provide for students and providers with clear information on EMS, as well as tips and guidance on how to get the best out of placements.

Further information will be published on the RCVS website on all areas of EMS work, and the new EMS policy plans ‘A new EMS policy for the future: improving learning, flexibility and opportunity for all’ can now be viewed in full.

The RCVS will also be attending London Vet Show, where they will be hosting a talk all about the new policy entitled ‘A new EMS policy for the future: improving learning, flexibility and opportunity. The session will be presented by Linda Prescott-Clements on Friday 18 November from 12.30pm-1.30pm in Gallery Suite 7.