Veterinary School

I thought long and hard before I decided what to write on.  It is almost 25 years since I graduated from veterinary school.  During that time the amount of clinical information and technical skills needed to be a world class practitioner has accelerated to 'warp' speed.

I don't know how the veterinary schools can complete in four years the same amount of  "stuff' we learned a quarter century ago in four years.  Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the over 40% of veterinary students that go on to Internships and Residencies.  Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the fact that most new graduates have never performed a dog neuter on a living dog. Maybe that fact that they can't is reflected in the need for sometimes excessive diagnostic testing done by new graduates versus a great hands on physical exam.  

Whatever it is, I have a nagging question that needs an answer.
Do veterinary schools choose their incoming class to be good veterinary students or good veterinarians?
That being asked, here is my opinion:

With veterinary medicine becoming more and more of an industry based upon communication and relationships as well as great clinical skills, the current admissions process does NOT take into consideration the well rounded individual who can both spay a cat and listen to a client's discussion of their pet's needs.  Veterinary students are great.  They have all of the best intentions.  They have all of the best professors.  They can identify a case of Dengue Fever and Leishmaniasis from a mile away.  But can they manage a staff.  Create a budget.  Understand what marketing is.  I do NOT blame the veterinary students for coming out of school with an "A" in trivial pursuit and a "C" in common sense.  They aren't taught common sense or how to prevent 'foot in mouth' disease.

If the veterinary schools could start to select their students from a more rounded profile--work experience, letters of recommendation, outside interests, prospects to be a great veterinarian, not what is necessary to pass the curriculum.

Once in veterinary school, eliminate grades.  Work on team testing.  Teach how to work collaboratively. Group projects.  Phone a friend stuff.

Help the students leave school eager to work with others rather than going from one competitive frying pan into another.

Create a future veterinary profession that works together solving our professions issues.

What do you think?  Do the veterinary schools help the future of veterinary medicine or hinder it?  What suggestions to you have to strengthen our profession going forward?  If it works, then let's not worry about it...on the other hand....

Looking forward to your thoughts!!