Obstetrics and perinatal calf care simulators – The future of training and re-training bovine veterinarians

Abstract

Veterinary undergraduate students often have few opportunities to practice bovine dystocia assessment and correction during their university training. Their exposure to calving cases in the university clinic, ambulatory practice or during extra-mural practice can be highly dependent upon the case load and type. However, being able to successfully deal with an emergency dystocia is a Day-One Competency of veterinary graduates. In addition, as veterinarians move between employment positions and sometimes, animal species, e.g. from small to large animal practice, they may need to re-train in the basic principles of bovine obstetrics. Relying on field exposure to upskill may not prepare the veterinarian for the range of problems that can be encountered at calvings. Often such on-the-job learning occurs in the absence of an experienced colleague to share practical knowledge and skills needed to navigate difficult obstetrical cases. Modern simulators can provide this exposure to multiple calving scenarios and with experienced teachers can assist undergraduates and veterinarians in animal-free training of these skills with increasing bio-fidelity. Calving simulators consist of a life-size, complete, free-standing or partial, bench-top cow and a calf. They vary in quality from home-made, cheap, inauthentic models to purpose-built, expensive commercial high-fidelity models. These can be used to teach recognition of eutocia, management of dystocia, e.g. diagnosis and correction of foetal maldisposition, use of calving aids and calf resuscitation and after-care. Limitations of obstetrical models include inability to put the full-size cow model on its side to simulate normal calving posture, more pelvic space than would be in a tight heifer dystocia, absence of maternal abdominal and uterine contractions, inability to simulate uterine torsion and some calf resuscitation procedures. Despite these limitations, a blended learning approach involving simulator experiential learning and group discussion of periparturient issues has been shown to enhance the learning experience and competence of both students and practicing veterinarians thus providing real world clinical utility.