RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 23:56:17 GMT

[quote user="orik"]

I have one question, can I choose a fourth C module that doesn't belong to the species of my certificate?

Example: Small Animal Medicine - Canine (Modules A+B+C+C+C) + Module C Reptile

[/quote]

Yes, you can. The initial CertAVP structure required only 3 C modules. You can then use the additional C module to count towards a further cert.

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

orik — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 23:27:15 GMT

Thank you, your answer has been useful. I have read the brochure of the Diploma and, after all, I think that the best choice for me will be the CertAVP because it is a flexible way to became a competent practitioner as you said.

I have one question, can I choose a fourth C module that doesn't belong to the species of my certificate?

Example: Small Animal Medicine - Canine (Modules A+B+C+C+C) + Module C Reptile

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

Andrew Kent — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:08:46 GMT

Hi Orik,

The two qualifications are quite different and obtained in different ways. The diploma requires a 36 month period of supervision by another diplomat, which generally occurs through taking a 3 year residency. There is a series of exams throughout this and at the end plus a raft of other requirements and the depth of knowledge is considerably deeper than that required for certificate exams. Whilst it is theoretically possible to do this in practice through the alternative route it is very difficult to do this in reality and so nobody really does.

The CertAVP is a modular program which you can do in practice as it has no supervision requirement and is based on various modules, case logs etc, with some kind of assessment at the end.

The certificate is aimed at making you a competent practitioner rather than a specialist.

I hope that helps but let us know if you have any further questions.

Andy

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

orik — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 20:43:22 GMT

I still haven't decided, but I want a clear overview of both options to decide which is better for me.

I am interested in small animal internal medicine and for the AVP I have identified the Small Animal Medicine – Canine Certificate as my favorite and for the Diploma the ECVIM-CA, internal medicine program.

More or less the years that I need to spend are the same so what are the differences between the qualifications?

Some ideas that come to my mind are:

-CertAVP-Canine gives me a deep knowledge of what I love most but it is quite specific because it is limited to a single species

-Diploma covers more species (cat) so for veterinary practice it could be useful but the knowledge gained will be the same of the CertAVP-Canine?

-I hope to work in the UK but I can't be sure so is the CertAVP recognized in Europe?

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:46:13 GMT

What area are you looking at?

My research in the area of cattle:

CertAVP - you can register a year qualified. You must have your PDP completed and submit a CPD record for the last 3 years or since graduation. You cannot complete the certificate until 3 years qualified. With cattle you can chose a more 'taught' route with Liverpool or just go via self study and assessment via Edinburgh. Perfectly doable in practice, you just need to set the time aside to do the work. By the time I complete I will have written well over 30,000 words and read hundreds of journal articles.

The European Diplomas require 1-1.5 years relevant experience. That is fully immersed in all aspects of all areas of the particular species. Personally I see that as unlikely to be achieved for a few years in practice, but theoretically you could start a residency 18 months qualified. You can then do a supervised residency in a recognised institution in 2 years - so potentially a diplomat 3.5 years qualified. The alternative residency is where you submit a scheme of study and that can be over a longer period - but looks much harder to fit around practice life.

In the future I can see many more vets holding certificates, but accessibility to diploma's looks difficult in general practice.

With cattle there is an alternative route to a diploma via the University of Liverpool's DBR. Not sure how well this parallels other areas.

Re: RVCS CertAVP vs European Diploma

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:27:08 GMT

Just to clarify, are you looking to go straight for a Diploma rather than do a CertAVP?