Development of International Learning Outcomes for Shelter Medicine in Veterinary Education: A Delphi Approach

Abstract

Worldwide, pre-registration (undergraduate) teaching in shelter medicine shows considerable differences between veterinary faculties. A lack of consensus regarding key concepts of shelter medicine within veterinary curricula could explain these inconsistencies. However, it is increasingly recognized that more inclusion of shelter medicine within veterinary education is desirable. [7][8][9] The concept of constructive alignment 10 sets out parameters for curriculum development that focusses on linking the teaching methods and content to what the learners need to know and should be able to do. Integral to constructive alignment is the development of appropriate learning outcomes that students should be able to achieve at the end of a period of study. Furthermore, the method of study, student activities, learning materials, and assessment should be finely tuned to ensure students achieve their learning outcomes. Bloom's taxonomy of learning outcomes 11,12 considers student activity and achievement in three domains: cognitive (knowledge), affective (attitudes) and psychomotor (skills).The Delphi technique is a recognized method of harnessing expert opinion to reach consensus where absolute evidence is scant or lacking. 13 There is a simultaneous exploration of