Dear New and Prospective Clients,
Welcome to the Diagnostic Challenge (DC) exercises at the WSU
College of Veterinary Medicine!
| We are so pleased to have you participate
in what has become a proud tradition at WSU. You are about to
become a vital part of our DVM training program for second-year
veterinary students. Most importantly, you are about to be
introduced to and come to know our single greatest resource-our
students! These young people are the future of veterinary
medicine and our legacy. They make us very proud, for reasons
you will learn very clearly through your own Diagnostic Challenge
experience. |
A DC clinic and Charlie (the
client) during the DC1 in 2008. |
We believe the DC exercises have many benefits for our students. YOUR
interactions are likely to be a highlight of their second year.
The DC's provide an important break in our rigorous curriculum and, we hope,
bring a much needed and relevant reminder of WHY they wanted to become
veterinarians in the first place. The reasons our students first set
off on this arduous road are often lost in the midst of all the basic
science classes that make up most of the first two years. Many come
away from the DC's with a fresh sense of purpose and energy.
Please note that our students are HUNGRY for substantial
feedback on their performance during the DC. They want to know from
you how well they interacted and communicated, how you think they handled
their case, and specific ways they might improve.
Please take the time and effort to make careful notes this week and, at the
end of the week, to relay your impressions to the students you are working
with. The way for each of us to grow and improve is to receive
specific feedback that identifies things we can do better and to hear
specific, well thought-out recommendations. Don't worry, our students
know that any opinions you express represent just one person's thoughts-but
they WANT to hear them. You can and should talk at some length with
your case facilitator on what you might say and how. Likewise, you can
direct ANY questions or concerns you might have to your facilitator or to
the unofficial directors of the DC exercises-myself and Barb Robbins
(Academic Coordinator in the CVM Office of Students Services).
First and foremost, thank you for your time and commitment.
Remember that one of your primary goals should be to enjoy the experience
this week and to enjoy the time you spend with our extraordinary students.
They and we are sincerely grateful for your help. If there is anything
you can think of to make your experience or future DC clients' experiences
better, PLEASE let us know. We want to make the DC's a valuable and
enjoyable experience for everyone-and to make each year better than the
last.
Sincerely,
Stephen (Steve) Hines, DVM, PhD
Professor of Microbiology & Pathology
Berger Keatts Distinguished Professor (Excellence in Teaching
