EPA 12: Risk assessment and clinical decision support

Summary

Carry out a veterinary risk assessment. 

Description

Carry out a qualitative veterinary risk assessment (VRA), answering a specific risk question or questions to underpin veterinary decision making.

A VRA is veterinary advice, or the evidence supporting a veterinary decision, presented in a standardised format. VRAs document the thought processes that lead to veterinary conclusions, ensuring the reasons behind advice or decisions are clearly explained, contextualised, documented, and auditable.

Good analytical and written communication skills are required to draft high quality VRAs that fully address the risk question and consider uncertainty where the evidence is unclear.

Success criteria 

To have carried out and effectively reported high quality and accurate VRAs across a range of:

• Animal species
• Environment
• Clinical presentations

Required competencies

The RCVS Day One Competences encompass a range of domains that may be relevant to this EPA. However, the key areas involved in performing this activity/practice are as follows:

Veterinary capability

• Clinical reasoning
• One health/public health

Reflective relationships

• Communication
• Collaboration

Personal leadership

• Adaptability
• Self-awareness and reflection
• Professionalism