Review Report

Overview of educational research in theriogenology

Margaret Root Kustritz,^a Andre Nault^b

^aDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, MN, USA, ^bUniversity of Minnesota Libraries, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, MN, USA

Abstract

A review of the literature identified 59 studies specific to educational research in theriogenology. Provision of this comprehensive list of educational research in theriogenology will provide a resource for educators and encourage collaboration within the American College of Theriogenologists and Society for Theriogenology.

Keywords: Educational research, theriogenology, search string, cabicode

 

Educational research, also called scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), is a growing aspect of research in veterinary medicine. A recent review of all veterinary educational research from North American colleges of veterinary medicine established before 1985 identified 544 articles, with most published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education or the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.¹ Thirty-eight of the articles in that study were published in discipline-specific journals, including Clinical Theriogenology; only 1 article was published in the journal Theriogenology, in 1995.²

Citations for publications of educational research in theriogenology were directly solicited from practicing theriogenologists using various list-serves. A literature search was conducted on March 21, 2022 of both PubMed/MEDLINE and CAB Abstracts in order to cover well-established journals and the more obscure gray and foreign language literature. In PubMed, the best results were obtained by performing 2 keyword searches: 1. Theriogenology AND education produced 341 results, and 2. ‘animal reproduction’ AND education produced 240 results. There were 54 duplicates when these searches were combined, leaving 527 records.

In CAB Abstracts, the best results were obtained by using this search string: (animal breeding OR castration OR spay OR theriogenology OR animal reproduction).mp. AND (veterinary schools OR veterinary education OR student*).mp. where mp includes the abstract, title, original title, broad terms, heading words, identifiers, and cabicode record fields. This search produced 474 records and 46 were duplicates with the PubMed search and removed, producing a total of 955 records. Endnote software was used for managing and deduplication of records. Additionally, the literature cited section of included studies were examined to identify any additional research worthy of inclusion. The few manuscripts directly submitted by the authors were verified as having been captured by the literature review.

Authors sorted through all records, applying the following inclusion criteria:

1. Does the paper discuss veterinary student education?
2. Does the paper discuss theriogenology or animal reproduction?

After this screening, a total of 59 papers remained (Appendix).

There were limitations in this study. It is possible that not all educational research papers in theriogenology were identified by direct solicitation or literature review, especially for publications in journals with limited availability. Other investigators may have chosen to include some different manuscripts, as there is some subjectivity in what is deemed to be veterinary student education, especially when considering programs varying in length that may or may not incorporate undergraduate training, and what is deemed theriogenology or animal reproduction, as there is overlap with basic sciences and with some clinical sciences, including surgery and medical imaging.

Barriers to educational research often are barriers of institutional culture, including lack of recognition of educational research as valid research, lack of faculty development and support for educational research, lack of funding, and lack of a community of practice to provide mentoring and collaborations.^1,3,4 It is our hope that providing this comprehensive list of educational research in theriogenology will provide a resource for educators and encourage collaboration within the American College of Theriogenologists and Society for Theriogenology for performance of further research.

Authors’ contribution

Dr. Root Kustritz conceptualized the study, solicited papers directly from colleagues, reviewed papers identified by literature review, drafted the paper, and completed revisions requested by the reviewer. Mr. Nault performed the literature review and helped prepare the electronic supplement containing all the citations and uploaded it to the university’s institutional repository for readers of Clinical Theriogenology. Both authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and have agreed to the submission.

References

1.	Root Kustritz MV, Nault A: Measuring productivity and impact of veterinary education-related research at the institutional and individual levels using the H-index. J Vet Med Educ 2020;47:414–420. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0618-072r1
2.	Mier Y Teran C, Galina CS, Russell: who is publishing in Theriogenology and on what subjects? Theriogenology 1994;42:727–737. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(94)90441-K
3.	Baillie S, Hunt JA, Ruohoniemi M, et al: Academics’ experiences in veterinary educational research: results of an international survey. J Vet Med Educ 2021;49:650–661. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2021-0079
4.	Fogelberg K, Hunt J, Baillie S: Young and evolving: a narrative of veterinary educational research from early leaders. Educ Health Prof 2022;4:124–133. doi: 10.4103/EHP.EHP_22_21

Appendix – Overview of educational research in theriogenology

Anderson SL, Miller L, Gibbons P, et al: Development and validation of a bovine castration model and rubric. J Vet Med Educ 2021;48(1):96–104. doi: 10.3138/jvme.2018-0016

Annandale A, May CE, van der Leek ML, et al: Effect of a high-intensity one-week training programme and student-level variables on the bovine transrectal palpation and pregnancy diagnosis skills of final-year veterinary students. Vet Rec 2020;187(11):e99. doi: 10.1136/vr.105909

Annandale A, Annandale H, May K, Holm D: The bovine pregnancy diagnosis challenge: evidence-based evolution of a teaching intervention over 8 years of use. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:12–16. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9590

Annandale A, Holm D: A variety of teaching interventions to improve bovine transrectal palpation training. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:17–24. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9591

Badman M, Hoglund K, Hoglund OV: Student perceptions of the use of a laser pointer for intra-operative guidance in feline castration. J Vet Med Educ 2016;43(2):222–224. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0515-084R2

Bond RL, Midla LT, Gordon ED, et al: Effect of student transrectal palpation on early pregnancy loss in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2019;102(10):9236–9240. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-16515

Budziak C, Pimpao CT, Montoya IK, Villanova Junior JA, de Moraes PF: The importance of the project Castration Campaign for the formation of the veterinarian professional. Rev Acad Cienc Agrar Ambientais 2010;8(3):361–370. doi: 10.7213/cienciaanimal.v8i3.10946

Cavalieri J: An undergraduate curriculum in veterinary reproduction at James Cook University. Clin Theriogenol 2011;3(2):135–145.

Cavalieri J, Dowling B, Foyle L, et al: Guidelines for the use and reuse of animals for teaching within veterinary medical education programs. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:29–37. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9593

Chenoweth PJ: Editorial: food animal veterinary futures. J Vet Med Educ 2004;31(4):323–328. doi: 10.3138/jvme.31.4.323

Csapodi C, Pallos R, Dome P, Zenke P, Gaspardy A, Maroti-Agots A: How do veterinary students learn and do exams: 6 semesters’ experiences with a computerized teaching system (GAT). Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja 2017;139(7):433–440.

Danielson J: Determination of core content throughout the curriculum. Clin Theriogenol 2011;3(4):493–500.

Deepa G, McGreevy PD, Zuber RM, Klupiec C, Baguley J, Barrs VR: Developments in undergraduate teaching of small-animal soft-tissue surgical skills at the University of Sydney. J Vet Med Educ 2012;39(1):21–29. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0411.044R

Degeling C, Fawcett A, Collins T, et al: Students’ opinions on welfare and ethics issues for companion animals in Australian and New Zealand veterinary schools. Aust Vet J 2017;95(6):189–193. doi: 10.1111/avj.12590

Delver HA: Continuing veterinary medical education needs and delivery preferences of Alberta veterinarians. J Vet Med Educ 2008;35(1):129–137. doi: 10.3138/jvme.35.1.129

Eatwell K: Developing final year veterinary student skills in rabbit neutering and anaesthesia. Proc Autumn Meet Brit Vet Zoo Soc 2014; p. 20.

Fahie M, Cloke A, Lagman M, Levi O, Schmidt P: Training veterinary students to perform ovariectomy using the MOOSE spay model with traditional method versus the Dowling Spay Retractor. J Vet Med Educ 2016;43(2):176–183. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0915-150R

Farooq AA, Hayat CS: Post surgical complications faced by students during large animal surgery. J Anim Plant Sci 2007;17(1/2):44–46. [cited 1 April 2023] Available from: http://www.thejaps.org.pk/docs/17_1-2_2007/716.pdf.

Finger MA, Dornbusch PT, Bonfa AF, Dornbusch LPTC, Deconto I, de Barros Filho IR: Comparison of two techniques in equine orchiectomy, employed in the instruction of the veterinary surgical technique. Archiv Vet Sci 2011;16(3):53–59. doi: 10.5380/avs.v16i3.20540

Freeman LJ, Ferguson N, Fellenstein C, Johnson R, Constable PD: Evaluation of learning curves for ovariohysterectomy of dogs and cats and castration of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017;251(3):322–332. doi: 10.2460/javma.251.3.322

Freeman LJ, Huse D, Lee R, Inoue T, Weil AB, Constable PD: Teaching veterinary anesthesia and surgery: the impact of instructor availability on anesthesia, operative, and recovery times in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy or castration. J Vet Med Educ 2014;41(4):390–399. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0813-120R

French HM, Dascanio JJ, Gilbert GE, Robinson JQ: Bovine reproductive palpation training: does the cow make a difference? J Vet Med Educ 2018;45(2):219–223. doi: 10.3138/jvme.1116-172r

Gates MC, Littlewood KE, Kongara K, Odom TF, Sawicki RK: Experience of practicing veterinarians with supervising final-year students and new graduates in performing desexing surgeries. J Vet Med Educ 2020;47(4):465–474. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0918-100r

Gates MC, Littlewood KE, Odom TF, Sawicki RK, Kongara K: Guidelines for implementing a low-cost volunteer desexing skills training program for veterinary and veterinary technology students. J Vet Med Educ 2020;47(1):27–38. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0418-047r1

Gates MC, Odom TF, Sawicki RK: Experience and confidence of final year veterinary students in performing desexing surgeries. N Z Vet J 2018;66(4):210–215. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2018.1464977

Gunn A, Harper J, Condon D: Use of abstract reflection to enhance student learning from theriogenology practical classes. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:25–28. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9592

Harewood W, Brathwaithe B: The evolution of the food animal ambulatory and theriogenology clinical rotation in veterinary education in the Caribbean. J Vet Med Educ 2000;27(2):24–27.

Hedge ZN, Bossong F, Gordon-Ross PN, Kovacs SJ: Exploring the effects of participation in a shelter medicine externship on student knowledge and self-confidence. J Vet Med Educ 2019;46(1):4–13. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0417-056r

Hesse A, Ospina P, Wieland M, Yepes FAL, Nguyen B, Heuwieser W: Short communication: microlearning courses are effective at increasing the feelings of confidence and accuracy in the work of dairy personnel. J Dairy Sci 2019;102(10):9505–9511. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-15927

Hunt JA, Heydenburg M, Kelly CK, Anderson SL, Dascanio JJ: Development and validation of a canine castration model and rubric. J Vet Med Educ 2020;47(1):78–90. doi: 10.3138/jvme.1117-158r1

Koziol J, Gibbons P, Dascanio J: A survey of the use of theriogenology related models across veterinary curricula. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:38–45. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9594

Luby CD, McIntyre K, Jelinski MD: Skills required of dairy veterinarians in western Canada: a survey of practicing veterinarians. Can Vet J 2013;54(3):267–270. [cited 1 April 2023] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573633/pdf/cvj_03_267.pdf.

MacArthur SL, Johnson MD, Colee JC: Effect of a spay simulator on student competence and anxiety. J Vet Med Educ 2021;48(1):115–128. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0818-089r3

Megehee S, Lyman C, Holyoak R: Impact of transrectal palpation on teaching mares: a retrospective study. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:57–63. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9597

Motta T CB, Sweazy E, Taylor A, McLoughlin M, Hil L: Development and validation of a low-fidelity, low-cost surgical simulation model to teach canine orchiectomy. Clin Theriogenol 2018;10(2):125–139.

Normal ST DAG: Computer assisted learning for improving cattle palpation skills of veterinary students. Open J Vet Med 2013;3:319–327. doi: 10.4236/ojvm.2013.38052

Norton M, Annandale A: Effect of foosball practice on veterinary students’ bovine artificial insemination skills. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:46–51. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9595

Oki AC BJ, Clapper JA, Poole DH, Senger PL: Enhancing the learning experience of students in reproductive science with multimedia platforms. Clin Theriogenol 2014;6(3):147–153.

Read EK, Vallevand A, Farrell RM: Evaluation of veterinary student surgical skills preparation for ovariohysterectomy using simulators: a pilot study. J Vet Med Educ 2016;43(2):190–213. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0815-138R1

Richardson EF, Gregory CR, Sucre E: Enhancement of the surgical education of fourth year veterinary students by participation in juvenile ovariohysterectomy and castration program. Vet Surg 1994;23(5):415.

Romagnoli S, Serbati A, Lotti A, et al: The use of a flipped classroom approach to teach clinical animal reproduction. Proc Ital Vet Sci Soc 2016;294–295.

Root Kustritz MV, Johnston SD, Lieberman LL: Availability of training for prepuberal gonadectomy at North American veterinary colleges. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;216:1566–1567. doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.216.1566

Root Kustritz MV, Chenoweth PJ, Tibary A: Efficacy of training in theriogenology as determined by a survey of veterinarians. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;229(4):514–521. doi: 10.2460/javma.229.4.514

Root Kustritz MV, Tibary A, Chenoweth PJ: Availability of theriogenology training at North American and Caribbean veterinary colleges. J Vet Med Educ 2006;33(1):140–144. doi: 10.3138/jvme.33.1.140

Root Kustritz MV: Use of stories as a way to increase retention of clinical small animal theriogenology information. Clin Theriogenol 2009;1:347–348. [cited 1 April 2023] Available from: https://vetmed.umn.edu/sites/vetmed.umn.edu/files/kustritz13_use_of_stories.pdf.

Root Kustritz MV: Effect of attitudes toward study, study behaviors, and use of study aids on successful completion of the certifying examination of the American College of Theriogenologists. Clin Theriogenol 2010;2:467–471. [cited 1 April 2023] Available from: https://vetmed.umn.edu/sites/vetmed.umn.edu/files/kustritz1_act_exam.pdf.

Root Kustritz MV: Effect of increasing student engagement on multiple-choice test scores in a theriogenology diagnostics course. Clin Theriogenol 2013;5:63–65.

Root Kustritz MV: Simulations in veterinary education. Clin Theriogenol 2014;6:607–609.

Root Kustritz MV: Canine theriogenology for dog enthusiasts: teaching methodology and outcomes in a massive open online course (MOOC). J Vet Med Educ 2014;41(1):9–18. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0813-112R1

Root Kustritz MV: Effect of differing PowerPoint slide design on multiple-choice test scores for assessment of knowledge and retention in a theriogenology course. J Vet Med Educ 2014;41(3):311–317. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0114-004R

Root Kustritz MV, Bailey, CS: Comparison of teaching paradigms in theriogenology among schools of veterinary medicine by use of a uniform assessment tool. Clin Theriogenol 2015;7(1):59–73.

Root Kustritz MV, Madill S: Use of extra-credit questions in a comparative theriogenology course. J Vet Med Educ 2018;45(2):260–265. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0217-024r

Root Kustritz MV, Nault A: Overview of educational research in theriogenology. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:64–68. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9598

Root Kustritz MV, Rupprecht R, Zhitnitskiy P: Comparison of accuracy of machine-generated or human-generated captions of Zoom live lectures in a comparative theriogenology course. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:52–56. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9596

Root Kustritz MV, Sertich S, Johnson A, Madill S: Year-one knowledge and skills in theriogenology: a preliminary study. Clin Theriogenol 2023;15:3–11. doi: 10.58292/CT.v15.9589

Sanni BD, Elisha IL, Hassan AZ, Adeyanju JB: Complications from students’ small animal surgical laboratories. Niger Vet J 2003;24(2):57–62. doi: 10.4314/nvj.v24i2.3456

Sanni BD, Olainipekun EO, Sackey AK, Fadason ST, Gyang EO: Post surgical complications from students’ large animal surgical exercise. Niger Vet J 2002;23(2):40–45. doi: 10.4314/nvj.v23i2.3423

Schock S, Shaver SL, Craigen B, Hofmeister EH: Correlation between student self-assessment and proctor evaluation in a veterinary surgical laboratory. J Vet Med Educ 2021;48(5):584–591. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2019-0096

Schutt J, Solum G, Kreisler RE: Ability of a complexity scoring system to predict veterinary student surgical procedure and clinic duration. J Vet Med Educ 2021;48(5):554–561. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2019-0106

Sheats MK, Burke MJ, Robertson JB, Fiebrandt KE, Fogle CA: Development and formative evaluation of a low-fidelity equine castration model for veterinary education. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:689243. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.689243

Shivley JM, Brookshire WC, Bushby PA, Woodruff KA: Clinically prepared veterinary students: enhancing veterinary student hands-on experiences and supporting hospital caseload using Shelter Medicine Program. Front Vet Sci 2018;5(May):95. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00095

Snowden K, Bice K, Craig T, et al: Vertically integrated educational collaboration between a college of veterinary medicine and a non-profit animal shelter. J Vet Med Educ 2008;35(4):637–640 doi: 10.3138/jvme.35.4.637

Sprecher DJ, Farmer JA, Nebel RL, Mather EC: The educational implications of reproductive problems identified during investigations at Michigan dairy farms. Theriogenology 1995;43(2):373–380. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(94)00030-X

Tivers MS, Travis TRD, Windsor RV, Moore AH: Questionnaire study of canine neutering techniques taught in UK veterinary schools and those used in practice. J Small Anim Pract 2005;46(9):430–435. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2005.tb00341.x

Wade CM, Fenwick DC: Attitudes of veterinarians to undergraduate education in genetics and the use of genetics in veterinary occupations. Aust Vet J 1996;73(1):1–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1996.tb09944.x

Williamson JA, Johnson JT, Anderson S, Spangler D, Stonerook M, Dascanio JJ: A randomized trial comparing freely moving and zonal instruction of veterinary surgical skills using ovariohysterectomy models. J Vet Med Educ 2019;46(2):195–204. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0817-009r

Wilson JH, Martinson KL, Turner TA, et al: Community service experience, veterinary student training, and owner education via Castration Clinics for horses of economically challenged owners in the USA. The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids: learning from others. Proceedings of an International Colloquium, New Delhi, India, 29 November – 2 December 2010; 2010:357–359. [cited 1 April 2023] Available from: https://www.thebrooke.org/sites/default/files/Research/Sixth%20Colloquium/Education-to-engage-the-next-generation.pdf.