Equine simulator for training of rectal palpation in a mare

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Scope of the method

The Method relates to

Animal health

The Method is situated in

Education and training

Type of method

Other

Description

Method keywords

veterinary medicine
skillslab training
dummy
rectal palpation
horse

Scientific area keywords

Veterinary education
clinical training

Method description

In the skillslab, dummy models and simulators are used for teaching various clinical skills. Rectal palpation is an important and commonly performed procedure in equine veterinary practice. It is used primarily in determining the reproductive status of mares, but is also used in the diagnosis of other clinical conditions such as colic. An important part of this training process can be performed on a simulator in the skillslab.

Lab equipment

Commercial dummy horse from Veterinary Simulators Industries (https://www.vetsimulators.com/products#equine)

Method status

History of use
Internally validated

Pros, cons & Future potential

Advantages

The use of educational animal models in a skillslab offers a number of significant advantages:

- Reduced use of laboratory animals and reduced discomfort for patients, as procedures can be practised on dummy models and simulators before performing them on a live animal.
- Teaching of clinical skills in a quiet and safe environment, reducing anxiety and stress for the veterinary student.
- Complex practical skills can be split into a number of small steps when practising them in the skillslab.

Challenges

- This model is very expensive.
- Clinical training on live animals needed as well.
- Creating and repairing the home-made models is time consuming for a large group of students.

Modifications

No.

Future & Other applications

The horse can also be used in education for bandaging and injection techniques.