Companion Animal Surgery - Good Surgical Practice

Course content

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with theoretical and practical tools to perform rational diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making and to extend the participants knowledge, personal skills and competences within the discipline of companion animal surgery. The course will provide the students with theoretical and practical competences within the fundamentals of companion animal surgery as it relates to first opinion practice – in particular atraumatic tissue handling, asepsis, and sterility and the problem-oriented and evidence-based background for decision-making in companion animal surgical procedures. The course addresses the principles of and uses a set of tools to assess the outcome of surgeries in general and to establish, perform, and develop a continuous quality-assurance program in particular. As part of the responsibilities of the companion animal surgeon, the course emphasizes the importance of the management of animal pain perception and individually tailored anaesthetic and analgesic management.

Education

This course is a compulsory course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Understand the possibilities and limitations of surgical intervention primarily in clinical companion animal situations.
• Understand importance of application of good surgical practice in companion animal surgery.
• Explain and discuss the key principles that are mandatory prior to initiating and for the follow-up of surgery in companion animal patients.
• Assess the limitations and contraindications related to surgeries in companion animal patients.
• Define and identify key surgically relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills
• Apply the physiological response to pain and tissue trauma in companion animals in a surgical situation.
• Interpret signs of companion animal pain and apply appropriate pain alleviation and anaesthesia.
• Perform key surgical techniques including induction of anaesthesia, in-vivo haemostasis management, advanced suture, and surgical techniques for companion animal patients.
• Perform oral presentations for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
• Apply evidence-based information and approaches in surgical patients including searchable medical databases such as Medline.

 

Competences
• Plan, decide, and evaluate a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history within companion animal surgery.
• Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal surgery.
• Collaborate and communicate within and between specialists, dedicated companion animal, and mixed practice peers and lay persons involved in companion animal surgical patient management.

A mixture of case-based and problem-oriented lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work. Scientific literature searching.

Updated literature lists will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.

Written
Oral
ECTS
2 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The ongoing test consists of three parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) preparation and presentation of, and participation in problem-oriented case discussions.
c) a critical mini-review and a procedure based on the mini-review.


To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Understand the possibilities and limitations of surgical intervention primarily in clinical companion animal situations.
• Understand the importance of the application of good surgical practice in companion animal surgery.
• Explain and discuss the key principles that are mandatory prior to initiating and for the follow-up of surgery in companion animal patients.
• Assess the limitations and contraindications related to surgeries in companion animal patients.
• Define and identify key surgically relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills
• Apply the physiological response to pain and tissue trauma in companion animals in a surgical situation.
• Interpret signs of companion animal pain and apply appropriate pain alleviation and anaesthesia.
• Perform key surgical techniques including induction of anaesthesia, haemostasis, advanced suture, and surgical techniques for companion animal patients.
• Perform oral presentations for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
• Apply evidence-based information and approaches in surgical patients including searchable medical databases such as Medline.

 

Competences
• Plan, decide, and evaluate a diagnostic work-up for patients with a complex history within companion animal surgery.
• Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal surgery.
• Collaborate and communicate within and between specialists, dedicated companion animal, and mixed practice peers, and lay persons involved in companion animal surgical patient management.

ECTS
5,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Practical exam under invigilation
Practical written examination under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The practical and written assignment includes two parts:

a) An Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS),
b) A multiple choice exam.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Examination prerequisites

Students may attend this examination without approval of Exam 1 (SCAM25019E Ongoing Test).

Aid
No aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To acheive the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Understand the possibilities and limitations of surgical intervention primarily in clinical companion animal situations.
• Understand importance of application of good surgical practice in companion animal surgery.
• Explain and discuss the key principles that are mandatory prior to initiating and for the follow-up of surgery in companion animal patients.
• Assess the limitations and contraindications related to surgeries in companion animal patients.
• Define and identify key surgically relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills
• Apply the physiological response to pain and tissue trauma in companion animals in a surgical situation.
• Interpret signs of companion animal pain and apply appropriate pain alleviation and anaesthesia.
• Perform key surgical techniques including induction of anaesthesia, haemostasis, advanced suture, and surgical techniques for companion animal patients.
• Apply evidence-based information and approaches in surgical patients.

 

Competences
• Plan, decide, and evaluate a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history within companion animal surgery.
• Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal surgery.
• Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist, dedicated companion animal practice peers involved in companion animal surgical patient management.

Part time Master and Diploma courses

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 95
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 80
  • English
  • 210

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
SCAM25019U
ECTS
See exam description
Programme level
Part Time Master
Duration
6 days full time.
Placement
Autumn
Price

Good Surgical Practice - GSP – University of Copenhagen.

Schedulegroup
This course will be offered in the Autumn semester (even-numbered years). For more information about the exact course dates please visit the webpage.
Capacity
30
Studyboard
Study Board for the Professionel Master´s Degree Programmes at The Faculty og Health and Medical Science
Contracting department
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
  • Thomas Eriksen   (3-7869764477797268326f7932686f)
  • James Edward Miles   (4-6f66726e45787a736933707a336970)
Teacher

National and International capacities within the field.

Saved on the 25-06-2025

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