Baseline survey of progress by veterinary medical colleges in implementing recommendations from the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium

Abstract

A survey was conducted to assess progress by accredited veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada with regard to implementation of recommendations from the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium (NAVMEC). Results indicated broad support for many of the recommendations and a willingness among stakeholders in veterinary medical education to accelerate their implementation. Respondents also expressed a desire for evidence-based decisions and detailed implementation planning. Many colleges of veterinary medicine reported progress on initiatives started prior to the meetings of the NAVMEC that closely aligned with NAVMEC recommendations. Only isolated progress toward implementation of system-wide recommendations that required coordination among multiple colleges of veterinary medicine and other stakeholders was identified. Survey results confirmed the need for changes to the current veterinary medical education paradigm and a commitment among many stakeholders to work together to effect these changes.