Extramural studies : new guidance

New guidance has been published to modernise and formalise the way that EMS is carried out – and it centres on communication between vet school, host practice and student.

The guidance was developed following a period of review, which included consultation with employers, vet schools and students.

The review considered all aspects of EMS, and while it was agreed that it remained a very valuable component of the veterinary education system, it was felt that communication in particular could be improved.

The new guidance includes changes that will affect practices. For example, the vet schools will liaise with their EMS providers to nominate a "base practice" where students can spend a significant amount of time, with a named EMS contact for each student.

It is also recommenced that some time is set aside by practices for entry and exit interviews to book-end each placement.

To make things easier for hosting practices, students are being urged to arrive at the practice with a set of objectives they're hoping to meet.

The RCVS also says that practices should not feel inhibited to give honest feedback to and about the student to the school's EMS coordinator – students will be asked to do likewise.

A new online undergraduate experience log is due to be launched by the end of 2012. It will allow students to record their extra- and intra-mural studies and will be a common system across most of the veterinary schools.

Practices taking students for EMS will be able to provide feedback on students electronically if they wish. It will be part of the RCVS Professional Development Record.

For more information, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/ems.