RCVS Knowledge - Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine (RCVS Knowledge)

Q&A from Alina's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1st, 2016. Read more, view the slides and listen to the full talk here.

Acute puerperal metritis (APM) is a potentially life threatening, painful disease and is often treated with third-generation cephalosporins. Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, Alina discusses the need to evaluate alternative therapies to antibiotics. Read more, view the slides and listen to the Q&A here. 

 AP - Efficacy of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs for the Treatment of Acute Puerperal Metritis in Dairy Cow

 Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Amanda's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1st, 2016.

Blood lactate levels are a simple and inexpensive parameter that is increasingly available to practitioners in both emergency medicine and general practice. But what does it really tell us? But does the data support that? In this session we will briefly review lactate physiology and then focus on the small animal veterinary evidence base – how has it evolved, what do we now know and where are the gaps in knowledge and potential misinterpretations that could affect our use of this clinical tool.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

The evidence pyramid for assessing the efficacy of interventions under real world conditions has been used in various forms for many years, and to a lesser extent the pyramid has been used for assessing evidence for disease risk factors. While acknowledging minor differences, many pyramids list the following information sources for interventions in decreasing order of “validity”: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, case control studies, case series and case reports.

In this presentation Annette discusses the validity of the evidence pyramid on the interpretation of evidence from primary research. She proposes a new way to think about evidence from primary studies using the framework for classifying epidemiologic studies proposed by Pearce (2012) based on incident and prevalent cases. This would also result in a rethinking of the current evidence pyramid.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In this Audio Summary Adam shares the evidence around whether hydrolysed diets reduce gastro-intestinal symptoms in dogs with chronic enteropathy. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Read the transcript.

Q&A from Ava and Ian's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

Whilst there is a small body of research that investigates the development of EBVM skills in veterinary undergraduates there is a paucity of research that aims to understand the development of EBVM skills in practice-based post-graduate veterinary surgeons. This talk on a paper is a small step in remedying that shortfall. In particular, the paper provides a progress report on an RCVS Knowledge funded study that is evaluating a practice-based EBVM development program.

 AF & IR - Preliminary Evaluation of a Practice-Based EBVM Skills Development Program

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Claire's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1, 2016.

It is widely believed that laminitis poses a threat to the health and welfare of all Equidae; however, there is a paucity of evidence-based research on fundamental aspects of the disease, including how commonly it occurs, its clinical presentation and those animals at greatest risk. Following generous funding from World Horse Welfare, we have produced a programme of work over the last eight years to improve the evidence base regarding the epidemiology of laminitis. This talk will outline the methods we used to gather evidence-based data in the equine field, highlight the challenges and lessons we have learnt, and emphasise the crucial role the veterinary practitioner can play in both providing and using such evidence-based data.

 CW - Collaboration as a Key Feature of Equine Evidence-Based Research: A Laminitis Case Study

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Clinical audit can play an important part in improving the services offered by farm animal veterinary practices. Its current use however is very varied. Understanding experiences, considering concerns and taking into account the thoughts of veterinary surgeons is vital when creating guidance for the profession. Read more here or listen to this session's Q&A.

 KW - Clinical Audit Experiences of Veterinary Surgeons Undertaking Farm Animal Work in the UK

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

No evidence-based treatment guidelines exist for any ophthalmic conditions of dogs and there is limited published evidence supporting treatments of feline herpes viral keratitis (FHVK). The aim of this study was to document current treatment patterns of canine prolapsed nictitans (PN) and FHVK through the use of a vignette-based survey administered to general practitioner (GP) and ophthalmic specialist (SP) veterinarians.

 CW - Clinical Decision Maiking and Treatment Patterns in Canine Prolapsed Nictitans and Feline Herpetic Keratitis

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Dan's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

When a piece of ‘evidence’ is generated in the research environment and almost nobody hears about it, then can we really still call it a piece of ‘evidence’? Does evidence only become evidence once it is used; and until then, is it just a piece of insignificant information? As we inexorably travel through the EBVM era, we must increasingly prioritise effective dissemination of evidence. This paper will use the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College as a case study to explore a strategic dissemination plan and examine routes for effective dissemination.

 Dan O'Neill - Effective Dissemination - Building an Evidence to Impact Strategy

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from David's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2nd, 2016.

This talk will argue that patient values should be the central, primary and overriding consideration in both its practice and research if EBVM is to be an ethically acceptable pursuit.

 DM - Putting the Horse Before the Cart: the Ethical Case for Animal Patient Values in EBVM

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

The evolution of veterinary nursing over the past fifty years combined with the introduction of the RCVS Register and Code of Conduct means that RVN's are now accountable for their actions and as a result must develop the ability to critically appraise, both their own practice and the protocols of the organisation in which they work, as part of clinical governance. It is therefore important that they develop the tools which enable them to confidently question all aspects of their clinical practice, but especially patient care and welfare, where necessary.

 Don't Be Afraid to Ask the Question: A Simple Guide for Veterinary Nurses to Conducting Evidence-Based Research in Clinical Practice

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Elizabeth's and Sarah's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

The clinical benefits of EBVM are clear however the business case for EBVM requires development. We aim to expand the adoption of EBVM amongst UK veterinary practices by identifying its improvement to practice performance...

  EJ&SH - Building a business case for EBVM

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Embracing EBVM as a concept is an important first step, but is of little value unless it is translated into an improvement in patient care. This session will discuss how EBVM can be incorporated into clinical guidelines at a practice level, using a team-based approach to maximise concordance.

 BV - Embedding EBVM into Practice 

Veterinary Evidence Today

Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Emma's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

Educational research has realigned away from the delivery of information towards the enhancement of learning and construction of knowledge (Edmondson, 2001). The availability of information is no longer the limiting factor; the ability to process and rationalise the vast amount of information available is now far more important. As suggested by Alvin Toffler, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and re-learn.” Hence, it is important to consider ways to equip students with the skills for critical appraisal and life-long learning. Teaching strategies that engender a deep approach to learning by promoting active student engagement are key to these aims.

 EO'N - The Use of an Evidence Based Practice Approach to Promote Active Student Engagement and Life - Long Learning in an Online Graduate Certificate

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In this Audio Summary Erik gives an overview of the evidence around when to change fluid bags and IV sets. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Read the transcript.

Q&A from Gillian's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 3, 2016.

This talk will illustrate the highs and lows of using evidence in the healthcare setting, drawing on experience from the National Institue for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) relevant to veterinary medicine...

 GL - Using Evidence: Pitfalls, Practicalities and Positive Benefits

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from hannah's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 3, 2016.

Including current published evidence is vital as part of evidence-based decision making in veterinary practice. Sometimes there is no published evidence which is relevant or applicable to the clinical situation. This can be either because it refers to patients with experimentally induced conditions, from a referral population or who lack the co-morbities often seen outside of the experimental context. The Veterinary Clinical Trials Network is unique. It is a rapidly expanding network of veterinary practices, with whom we are working to establish methods for running prospective, pragmatic, practical clinical trials in veterinary practice.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

There is very little good-quality veterinary evidence for most of the veterinary procedures carried out every day across the world. Very few, if any, individuals have all the necessary qualities to be able to systematically produce good-quality, and relevant, clinical research on their own, in a timely manner. The Association for Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery (AVSTS) www.avsts.org.uk is an affiliate group with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), and functions as a clinical network of like-minded individuals. In 2013 AVSTS sought to create a role for itself in facilitating the production (by its members) of multi-centre clinical research of relevance to its members.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Heather's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 3rd, 2016.

A 2015 survey of veterinary educators at AVMA accredited veterinary colleges indicated use of a wide variety of teaching modalities and a broad disparity among colleges about the amount of EBVM skills taught and their place in the curriculum. Evidence in learning theory suggests that teaching the skills of EBVM requires consideration of ways to optimise the transfer of skills from the didactic or pre-clinical to the clinical setting. This talk discusses how we partnered to successfully integrate asking a clinical question, searching the literature, appraising the literature, and applying evidence to the clinical question to make a clinical recommendation.

 HM - Integrating Veterinary Subject Expertise With Information Literacy Expertise to Teach and Assess the Student Skills in Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Katie's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2nd, 2016. Read more here.

Q&A from Kristen's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

To help make EBVM accessible to the veterinary profession worldwide, we assembled an extensive international team (the EBVM Learning Consortium) with a collective passion for delivering high-quality teaching of EBVM and developed an open access, online resource: ebvmlearning.org. It is hoped that the development of this resource will increase awareness of EBVM in the veterinary profession and allow practitioners the opportunity to develop the skills needed to utilise EBVM in everyday clinical practice.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Emma's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 3, 2016.

Emma Place gives a talk on how it can be common to get zero or low numbers of hits for a veterinary PICO search in bibliographic databases, particularly if results are screened for clinical trials...

 EP - Literature Searching for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine: Coping with Zero Hits

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Abbie Latham, an MA History student from Kings College London discusses the Boer War correspondence of Army veterinarian Frederick Smith. Abbie transcribed the letters held by Knowledge, and in her podcast explores aspects of the letters relating to technological developments in war reporting in the nineteenth century. Abbie’s fascinating essay brings a fresh perspective and historical insight into the letters, which will be of interest to all audiences.

Louise gives a short Audio Summary of her paper 'Are Dogs That Are Fed from a Raised Bowl at an Increased Risk of Gastric Dilation Volvulus Compared with Floor-Fed Dogs?'.

Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Read the transcript. 

Q&A from Louise's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1, 2016. 

This talk will look at difficulties for RVNs working in private practice gaining access to sufficient papers and studies in order to provide the evidence we need, and also looking at the selection of appropriate topics. We will look at sources of information such as the RCVS Knowledge library in order to collect evidence, and also how to select appropriate, relevant topics for research which will be useful to other RVNs working in practice, and will help in the creation of nursing protocols and nursing care bundles, which will advance nursing and patient care. 

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In human medicine, the management of care to ensure safety for the service-user constitutes an important element of the patient ‘journey.’ The name given to this discipline is patient safety. It is founded upon those elements of good medical practice which help avoid or mitigate human error...

  MT - Mistakes, errors and foul-ups:...

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Mark Turner's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2, 2016.

Q&A from Mary's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 2nd, 2016. Read more here.

In this talk, from the Veterinary Evidence Today conference 2016, Mary Fraser discusses the variety of different medications that can be used in the treatment of Malassezia otitis externa and the need for a greater number of robust clinical trials. Read more here.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In this talk, from the Veterinary Evidence Today conference 2016, Mike Clarke gives an introduction to systematic reviews.

 MC - Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Always wondered why research papers often present rather complicated statistical analyses? Or wondered how to properly analyse the results of a pragmatic trial from your own practice? This talk will give an overview of basic statistical principles and focus on the why of statistics, rather than on the how. 

 MN - Introduction to Statistics 

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

This podcast discusses how a significant event can lead to the practice examining what happened, looking at the evidence base, revising protocols & auditing implementation of the new protocols. A significant event is an event thought by anyone in the team to be significant in the care of patients or the conduct of the practice.

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In this Audio Summary Nieky shares the evidence around whether feeding dogs a raw meat diet reduces periodontal disease. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

To be able to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine, clinicians need high quality relevant evidence to integrate with their clinical decision making. Rachel's talk explores how relevance is possibly more important than quality as even the best evidence cannot be used if it can't be applied to veterinary practice. 

 RD - Irrelevant, Irrelevant, Irrelevant! Time to change our approach to research?

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Steve and David's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1, 2016.

Practice-based research should be performed in all practice settings if the results are to be applied to all practice settings. While the previous statement seems intuitive, that is to have practice-based evidence strengthen evidence-based medicine. The development of such a system of data collection and dissemination has not developed very rapidly. 

This lecture will describe how the VetCompass Programme has grown and evolved to now provide a world-leading platform for unbiased, invisible data collection...

 SB and DC - Can Practice Based Evidence Complement and Promote EBVM?

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

Q&A from Sue and Andrea's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1, 2016.

Q&A from Richard's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 3, 2016. 

Research is essential to provide the evidence-base for veterinary science in order to improve the health and welfare of animals and to improve public health. In this session, Dr Mellanby will discuss the valuable contribution that practice-based veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses can make to the future of veterinary knowledge. 

Veterinary Evidence Today Edinburgh, 1-3 November 2016

In this Audio Summary Erik shares the evidence around whether the use of lidocaine in dogs and cats reduces post-operative tracheitis. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

In this Audio Summary Veterinary Evidence authors Tom Ling and Lucy Hocking share the findings of their study, co-written with Ashley Doorly and Chris Gush, and conducted to explore quality improvement in the veterinary sector. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enable vets and vet nurses to more quickly and more easily access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Access the transcript here

In this episode of For the Record, we hear a discussion between Lacey Pitcher, Emily Craven, Daniel Denness and Kirstie Pickles. Together they discuss what neurodiversity means, the similarities and differences in their experiences, and how they would like to see understanding and awareness of neurodiversity change in the future.

Read the transcript here

Welcome to the second episode of a series for Suitably Qualified Persons or Registered Animal Medicines Advisors. This series is a collaboration between RCVS Knowledge and AMTRA.

This podcast series will highlight how the courses on the RCVS Knowledge Learn platform can be used for your self-reflection CPD.

This episode covers Modules 3 and 4 of the Managing Veterinary Medicines course:   Dispensary management and QI in the dispensary: Preventing errors.

To access any of the courses mentioned, head to learn.rcvsknowledge.org and set up your free account.

Access the transcript

In this Audio Summary, Kristy looks at whether surgical treatment is more effective than nonsurgical therapy in reducing lumbosacral pain and neurological dysfunction in dogs suffering from degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS). Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier. A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

'For The Record' is a new series featuring conversations between current and former members of the veterinary professions, highlighting voices and experiences usually absent from our official archive.

In this episode, Mandisa Greene, current President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, talks with Amanda Boag, RCVS President from 2018-2019, and new Chair of Trustees for RCVS Knowledge. Together they discuss what made them want to become vets, what drove them forward in their careers and why they champion diversity.

The transcript can be read here. 

If you would like to get involved in future episodes, please contact the RCVS Knowledge archives team by email at archives@rcvsknowledge.org

Music is 'Jindupe' by Lauren Duski.

Doing research as a veterinary practitioner is easier and more rewarding than you think. But what kind of research can you do? What are the benefits of doing research in practice, and what skills and resources do you need? Where do you get started, and what kind of impact can you make?

Dr Marnie Brennan, Dr Zoe Belshaw and Hannah Doit from the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine provide an approachable step-by-step guide, with tips on making research in practice useful and fulfilling, and some inspiring examples.

Download the full transcript and the references from the RCVS Knowledge website.

This podcast is part of the Knowledge Sessions, a resource that brings together specialists from across the veterinary industry to examine the landscape, propose potential approaches to complex problems, and provide practical advice on a range of subjects.

Lou Northway, QI Clinical Lead at RCVS Knowledge chats to Elizabeth McLennan-Green, Hub Clinical Lead at CVS about her team's audit on the optimisation of the use of ear cytology in veterinary primary care.

The team were awarded as Knowledge Champions in 2021 for their work.

Read the award-winning case example here. 

Read the transcript here.

Care bundles are a group of evidence-based practices that relate to a disease or a set of symptoms, that result in better outcomes when executed altogether than if implemented individually.

In this podcast, Helen Ballantyne, who is a dual-qualified medical and veterinary nurse, draws upon her experience in human nursing to explain to Pam Mosedale why veterinary teams should be implementing care bundles to save time, promote teamwork, and improve patient outcomes. 

Read the transcript here. 

Access all the content from the first series of the QI Boxset here. 

Molly Varga Smith, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, discusses whether ferrets and other mustelids pose a zoonotic risk for COVID-19.

RCVS Knowledge webinar on COVID-19 Mythbusting. Offering quick and concise answers to common questions regarding COVID-19 and the veterinary profession, helping you to manage enquiries, patients and your team: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/covid-19/covid-19-mythbusting/

Read the transcript here.

Sally Everitt speaks with Elly Russell and Julie Gibson about the paper 'Are They Thinking Differently? The Perceptions and Differences in Medical Disputes between Veterinarians and Clients'.

Read the paper

Read the podcast transcript

Some further resources that are referenced in the podcast are linked below:

Read the paper by Russell, E. et al (2022)

Read the paper by Gibson, J. et al (2022)

Read the paper by Gibson, J. et al (2023)

Read the paper by Gibson, J. et al (2024)

Access VetSafe

In this episode of the QI Boxset series, Pam Mosedale, our QI Clinical Lead, chats to Caroline Freedman, the representative for pet owners on the RCVS’ Practice Standards group, about whether clients care if practices are participating in QI activities.

The new QI Boxset series aims to provide practices and practitioners with guidance on establishing a quality improvement structure in practice. The entire series will be made available on our new e-learning platform this Spring. Read the press release. 

Read the transcript. 

Farm Vet Champions Clinical Lead, Fiona Lovatt speaks with Farm Vet Champion and Veterinary Surgeon, Emily Gascoigne about responsible antimicrobial use at lambing time. 

Read the transcript here.

Alison Pyatt, Training Centre Lead VMD, and Pam Mosedale, QI Clinical Lead RCVS Knowledge, introduce the Managing Veterinary Medicines: Staying Legal and Promoting Safety course.

The course is freely available to everyone in the veterinary profession and provides information on veterinary medicine regulations and the safe and responsible use of veterinary medicines. 

Access the course at rcvsknowledge.org/managing-veterinary-medicines/

Read the transcript

In our podcast series 'Research Focus', Sally Everitt, our inFOCUS Clinical Lead, will be chatting all about veterinary clinical research with a range of excellent guests.

In this episode, Fergus Allerton talked to Sally about the SAMSoc 'STOP on Sunday (SOS) Urinary Tract Infection Trial', which is recruiting first opinion practice vets.

Find out more about the study.

Access our In the Spotlight feature on Practice-based research. 

Access our AMR Hub, for freely accessible, evidence-based knowledge and resources about responsible antimicrobial use.

Reference:

Allerton, F., Pouwels, K.B., Bazelle, J., Caddy, S., Cauvin, A., De Risio, L., Swann, J., Warland, J. and Kent, A., 2021. Prospective trial of different antimicrobial treatment durations for presumptive canine urinary tract infections. BMC veterinary research, 17(1), pp.112. doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02974-y 

In this Audio Summary, Veterinary Evidence author Thomas Towers compares the evidence around the use of epidural with local anaesthetic and buprenorphine versus epidural with local anaesthetic and morphine in dogs undergoing hindlimb orthopaedic surgery. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enable vets and vet nurses to more quickly and more easily access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Dr Kit Sturgess, outgoing Editor-in-Chief of Veterinary Evidence, chatted to two of the winners of our 2023 Veterinary Evidence Student Awards - Rebecca Hearne and Rachel Garrett - about their experiences of writing Knowledge Summaries for Veterinary Evidence and how it felt to be published in a peer-reviewed journal before graduating. 

Read the transcript 

In our new podcast series 'Research Focus', Sally Everitt, our inFOCUS Clinical Lead, will be chatting all about veterinary clinical research with a range of excellent guests.

This week, Alex Davies, who works in a first opinion practice in South Wales and is BVA's Young Vet of the Year for his work with Vet Mentor, talked about his experiences and passion for practice-based research as a primary care vet. 

Read the transcript.

Access our In the Spotlight resource on practice-based research. 

Access Knowledge Summaries from our journal Veterinary Evidence.

Samantha Thompson, RVN and Post-Registration Programme Manager for the Linnaeus Group, discusses her post-operative hypothermia audit and how the team used the results to make changes within practice. 

The case example was awarded Highly Commended in the Knowledge Awards 2020.

The written case example can be read here, and the transcript can be read here. 

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website for more free quality improvement resources. 

Shobhan Thakore, Clinical Lead for the Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship Programme, gives an approachable and personal perspective on how to get your team on board to deliver quality improvement.

Shobhan discusses recent NHS initiatives to help manage expectations, engage and work with the team to respond to change, and deal with fear of blame. 

Download the full transcript from the RCVS Knowledge website.

This presentation was an Adapt, Improve, Achieve session by RCVS Knowledge recorded at SPVS-VMG Congress 2020 in Newport as part of the Quality Improvement stream.

CPD: 40 mins

This session was recorded during the SPVS VMG Congress on the 13th May 2022.

*Please note, there is a short pause in the presentation at 15:24 while the sound technician fixes some feedback and Mark Moreton's microphone level*

With more demanding priorities to deliver the best possible care whilst dealing with the consequences of COVID-19 and Brexit, it's no wonder that veterinary professionals are concerned with stress and burnout within the profession. Human healthcare has seen similar challenges and various teams around the world have been using the 'Joy in work' framework to battle burnout and stay fulfilled professionally. Angie and her team have been trialling this framework in veterinary settings, learning which steps help connect veterinary teams in meaning and purpose, with the aim of improving satisfaction and even feeling a buzz from their work. They have seen that it is not only possible, it can be a fundamental step to ensuring continued excellence in patient care and client experiences, even in these challenging times.

Download the 'What matters to you - Conversation guide for leaders'  

Download the transcript 

Featuring:-

- Angela Rayner, BVM&S PgDipPSHCF MRCVS, Director of Quality Improvement for CVS Group and a small animal GP vet. She won an RCVS Knowledge QI Award for improvements made in controlled drugs auditing and is Co-clinical Lead for their Antibiotic Stewardship Audit.

- Mark Moreton, BVetMED MRCVS, Small Animal GP Vet and a Hub Clinical Lead for CVS.

Sally Everitt speaks with Alex German, Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool about the implications of his research into weight gain after neutering reported in the research paper entitled 'Comparison of growth in neutered Domestic Shorthair kittens with growth in sexually-intact Cats'.

Read the paper

Read the podcast transcript

Read our inFOCUS Spotlight summary on the benefits and risks of neutering pets – what is the evidence

WALTHAM™ Kitten Growth Charts | WALTHAM

Puppy Growth Charts | WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute

In the third episode of ‘For the Record’, we hear from four male registered veterinary nurses, working in the UK today. Together they discuss their route into veterinary nursing as a career, their experiences as men in a predominantly female profession, and their personal aspirations and goals.

This episode features:

• Chris Hann 
• Ryan Hunt
• Ryan Mariner
• Matthew Rendle

'For The Record' is a series featuring conversations between current and former members of the veterinary professions, highlighting voices and experiences usually absent from our official archive. This episode was recorded in June 2021. 

The transcript can be read here. 

If you would like to get involved in future episodes, please contact the RCVS Knowledge archives team by email at archives@rcvsknowledge.org

Music is 'Jindupe' by Lauren Duski.

In this Knowledge Award audio summary, Hannah Jones from Avenue Veterinary Centre, explains how her team approached a prospective audit using post-operative pain scoring to assess the analgesia protocols for neutering in feline patients. A change in the protocols led to a 61% reduction in the number of cats requiring rescue analgesia post-operatively.   

Read the full case example.

Read the transcript.

The most joyful, productive, engaged staff feel both physically and psychologically safe, appreciate the meaning and purpose of their work, have some choice and control over their time, experience camaraderie with others at work, and perceive their work-life to be fair and equitable.

In this podcast, in a first for the veterinary profession in the UK, we will hear from Jesse McCall, who co-leads the Joy in Work Results-Oriented Learning Network at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, as he discusses the factors that diminish joy in work, and practical steps that teams can take to work together to nurture their workforce and address the issues that drive burnout and sap joy in work.

Recorded at SPVS-VMG Virtual Congress in May 2021.

Access the transcript here.

In this Audio Summary, Amelia looks at whether environmental modification is superior to medical management in the treatment of feline idiopathic cystitis. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier. A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Please find the transcript for this episode by following the above link to the full Knowledge Summary and clicking 'Audio Summary'.

Dr Sarah Caddy VetMB PhD DipACVM MRCVS, Virologist at University of Cambridge, discusses when we should test an animal for COVID-19.

Download the transcript and the presentation from the RCVS Knowledge website.

For more COVID-19 mythbusting resources, visit the RCVS Knowledge website.

Author Lori Teller and Heather Moberly review whether the literature supports the use of veterinary telemedicine for teleconsultations. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Access the transcript.

In this episode of the QI Boxset series, Pam Mosedale, our QI Clinical Lead, chats to Angela Rayner, Director of QI at CVS, about why QI is so important in practice.

The new QI Boxset series aims to provide practices and practitioners with guidance on establishing a quality improvement structure in practice. The entire series will be made available on our new e-learning platform this Spring. Read the press release. 

Read the transcript. 

In this podcast, Pam Mosedale chats with Mel McPherson about how farm practices can get started with Quality Improvement (QI). 

This podcast was recorded for the QI Boxset- Series 1: Episode 2: Getting started with Quality Improvement.

Read the transcript.

In this episode of the QI Boxset series, Melissa Donald, Chair of RCVS Standards Committee and RCVS Junior Vice-President, explains why Clinical Governance is a Code of Conduct requirement for vets and nurses, in a chat with Pam Mosedale.

The new QI Boxset series aims to provide practices and practitioners with guidance on establishing a quality improvement structure in practice. The entire series will be made available on our new e-learning platform this Spring. Read the press release. 

Read the transcript. 

Thanks for listening to this episode of Knowledge Natter - our series featuring friendly and informal discussions with Knowledge Champions, and those who are empowered by Quality Improvement (QI) in their work. 

Today's episode features Marnie Brennan, Kate White, Emma Drinkall, and Julie Gibson, from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, who became Knowledge Award winners for integrating QI and EBVM into the curriculum for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. They do this in a novel way, informed by a research-led agenda, focusing on the application of QI and EBVM into clinical practice.

Our QI Clinical Lead Pam Mosedale chatted to the team about the importance of teaching QI to students.

Read their case example.

Read the transcript.

Author Katie Smithers reviews whether, in cats with traumatic coxofemoral injury, total hip replacement (THR) offers an improved outcome when compared with femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) arthroplasty. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Access the transcript. 

Alice Bird, Senior Clinician in Anaesthesia at the Animal Health Trust, talks through the significant event audit of a postoperative complication that occurred in equine practice, including how a blame culture was avoided, lessons learned and resultant processes put in place.

The session formed part of the RCVS Knowledge Equine Roadshow recorded at Ashbrook Equine Hospital in 2019, sponsored by the Horserace Betting Levy Board and accredited by the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Download the accompanying presentation and full transcript from the RCVS Knowledge website.

CPD: 40 mins

Dr Liam Brierley, MRC Skills Development Fellow, University of Liverpool, discusses whether good weather will decrease the infection rates of COVID 19. 

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For more free COVID-19 resources for veterinary professionals, visit: rcvsknowledge.org/covid-19

David Singleton BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS, Epidemiologist University of Liverpool, discusses how face coverings work.

Download the transcript here.

You can find more COVID-19 mythbusting videos and resources on our website: http://www.rcvsknowledge.org/covid-19

In this Audio Summary, Anna looks at whether dogs that are brachycephalic have an increased risk for developing heat-related illness compared to dogs that are not brachycephalics. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier. A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

In this Audio Summary, Anne-Claude asks, in cats with psychogenic alopecia, is overgrooming reduced by the use of clomipramine compared to untreated cats? Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enable vets and vet nurses to more quickly and more easily access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

To celebrate International Women’s Day our Clinical Leads Pam Mosedale, Sally Everitt, and Fiona Lovatt speak about their careers in the veterinary professions.

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David Singleton BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS, Epidemiologist University of Liverpool, discusses the evidence behind the use of face coverings. This is the audio from a webinar, which can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/ai5PzPNTIsM 

Download the transcript here.

You can find more COVID-19 mythbusting videos and resources on our website: http://www.rcvsknowledge.org/covid-19

Government guidance on coronavirus can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus 

Thanks for listening to this episode of Knowledge Natter - our new series featuring friendly and informal discussions with Knowledge Champions, and those who are empowered by Quality Improvement (QI)  in their work. 

Today's episode features Samantha Fontaine, who became a Knowledge Champion for implementing a new course that teaches QI to veterinary nurses, including those in practice and education, at the University of Glasgow. 

Our RVN QI Clinical Lead Lou Northway, chatted to Sam and three of her students, Sarah, Molly, and Megan, about the course, taking the leap to implementing QI and their future QI plans.

Read Samantha's award-winning case example 'Teaching QI to veterinary nurses'. 

Read the transcript.

Richard Killen, former Director of Clinical Services at CVS and Angela Rayner, Clinical Services Manager (now Director of Quality Improvement at CVS and RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Advisor), discuss how to embed ‘systems thinking’ into a practice team, and what CVS have been doing to improve quality and safety. 

Read the full transcript here.

This session was recorded at SPVS VMG Congress, Newport in January 2020, as part of the Quality Improvement stream.

Getting the whole team on board is often harder than it seems. Amelia Poole, RVN and QI Project Officer at RCVS Knowledge, chats to QI Champions Helen Silver-MacMahon, RVN, and Kelly Tillett, EVN, about how to introduce new concepts and changes to your team in a way that will encourage uptake, and what to do if others in your team don’t share the same passion for change.

This podcast is taken from a session for BVNA's This Is Us online event, in October 2020.

For more free quality improvement resources visit: rcvsknowledge.org/quality-improvement

Download the transcript.

Watch the webinar.

Sally Everitt speaks to Martin Whitehead about the "Down the drain" study, looking at how spot-on parasiticides applied to dogs can contaminate the environment, and how he takes a risk-based approach to the prevention and treatment of parasites.

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Read the paper

Additional resources

Down-the-drain pathways for fipronil and imidacloprid applied as spot-on parasiticides to dogs: Estimating aquatic pollution - inFOCUS

Veterinary medicines and the environment - inFOCUS 

Responsible use of antiparasitic medications in veterinary practice - inFOCUS 

How cat and dog routine prophylaxis needs to change | BSAVA Library

How can we prevent worms and still protect the environment? | BSAVA Library

The views and opinions expressed in our podcasts are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of RCVS Knowledge.

In this Audio Summary, Louisa discusses the evidence around the use of honey as a topical treatment for wound healing in dogs. Read the full Knowledge Summary here.

Audio Summaries are a free resource that enables vets and vet nurses to access and digest relevant and up-to-date evidence quicker and easier! A time-saving way to make better and faster evidence-based decisions.

Access the transcript.

Audio version of an RCVS Knowledge webinar providing an introduction to the evidence base on COVID-19 and the patient/client journey, featuring:

• Pam Mosedale: Chair of the RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Advisory Board, Lead Practice Standards Scheme Assessor (RCVS) and Bella Moss Clinical Advisor
• Alan Radford: RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Advisor and Professor in Veterinary Health Informatics at the University of Liverpool
• Dr Tim Nuttall: RCVS Knowledge Infection Control Advisor and Bella Moss Clinical Advisor; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

Download the transcript from the RCVS Knowledge website. For more COVID-19 guidance, visit the RCVS Knowledge COVID-19 resources hub. 

CPD: 1 hour