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Table 5 Competencies with significant difference between the groups with different experience in neurology (0–5, 6–10, >10 years)

From: Development of learning objectives for neurology in a veterinary curriculum: Part II: Postgraduates

 

Mean 0-5

Mean 6-10

Mean >10

P-values

Pharmacology and toxicology

    

> pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic

    

Understand the major neurotransmitters and their receptors of the central and peripheral nervous system

3.79*

3.74*

3.76

0.0269*

Understand the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic qualities of drugs and the parameters used to quantify these qualities

3.28***

3.26

3.52***

0.0361***

> Chemotherapeutic drugs

    

Understand the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic drugs for nervous system neoplasia/Inflammation

3.35***

3.4

3.52***

0.0328***

Genetics and molecular biology

    

Understand the difference between transcription versus translation

3

2.81**

3.13**

0.0439**

Understand the genome organization and chromosome structure

2.85

2.81**

3.11**

0.0405**

Understand the inheritance patterns and types of mutations

3.13

3.07**

3.42**

0.022**

Understand the principles of common molecular genetic tools (laboratory methods; SNPs, microsatellite mapping, candidate genes)

2.78

2.65**

3.08**

0.0146**

Understand how to investigate a breed related disorder for an underlying genetic mutation

3.21*

3.33*

3.42

0.0384*

Clinical methodology

    

> CSF

    

Interpret laboratory results of CSF

3.91***

3.95

4***

0.0424***

> EEG

    

Perform EEG testing in the dog and cat

3.38* ***

3.05*

3.07***

0.0128* 0.0459***

Interpret EEG testing in the dog and cat

3.4* ***

3.09*

3.12***

0.0063* 0.0187***

> EMG

    

Perform single fiber EMG testing in the dog and cat.

3.14*

2.6*

2.82

0.0041*

> Urinary tract electro. Testing

   

Interpret urinary tract electrodiagnostic testing in the dog and cat

2.81***

2.43

2.79***

0.0345***

> Bone marrow aspiration & core biopsy

   

Interpret results of bone marrow aspirate and or core biopsy

2.82

2.74**

2.97**

0.0242**

Disease mechanisms

   

> Disc diseases

    

Understand the pathogenesis of disc diseases in horses

3.43***

3.35

3.29***

0.0342***

> Micturition disorders

    

Understand the pathogenesis of Micturition disorders in ruminants/food animals

3.21***

3

2.97***

0.0377***

Neuroanaesthesia & Neurosurgery

   

Understand anesthesia of the neurological patient

3.64

3.52**

3.74**

0.0023**

Understand peri-operative antibiotic recommendations

3.68***

3.71

3.87***

0.0461***

Perform ventral slot

3.9***

3.83

3.73***

0.036***

Neuroradiology

    

Understand CT scanning technique

3.55***

3.62**

3.77** ***

0.0154** 0.0019***

Understand nervous system ultrasound technique

2.96*

3.1*

3.2

0.0484*

Understand nuclear medicine technique

2.73***

2.74

2.95***

0.0386***

Interpret radiographs of the skull

3.7***

3.78

3.89***

0.0032***

Pathology

    

Exhibit competence in CSF cytological interpretation in small animals

3.64* ***

3.88*

3.89***

0.0188* 0.0345***

Exhibit competence in CSF sample examination (protein content, cell counting)

3.53* ***

3.88*

3.68***

0.0273* 0.0134***

Understand microscopic pathological features of specific horse diseases

3.15*

3.18*

3.17

0.0262*

Understand Infectious disease testing techniques (PCR/Western blot/Serology)

3.11***

3.05**

3.4** ***

0.0248** 0.0052***

Academia Competencies

    

In teaching for undergraduates

3.55*

3.88*

3.63

0.0126*

In teaching for postgraduates

3.53*

3.85*

3.69

0.0092*

In statistics

3.02

2.87**

3.11**

0.0306**

  1. Values with *, indicate the significance of the learning objectives between groups 0-5 and 6-10; for groups 6-10 and >10 are indicated with **; and groups 0-5 and >10 with ***.