Cert AVP - thoughts?

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Emily Rainbow — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:34:04 GMT

Thanks for that Chris, the RCVS need to update their module providers list as you're still on it!

Thank for all your comments everyone, I've gleamed a whole lot more than the reams of online documents I've been trawling through from the different uni's!

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Chris Whipp — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 06:56:10 GMT

Hi Emily,

I am involved in researching and providing the Vet Learning CertAVP Modules through Middlesex.

We created the three Camelid modules at the request of the British Veterinary Camelid Society and although we offered them as an interim measure we are no longer involved in their provision.

Presently, they are only available through Liverpool though that may possibly change in the future.

You are right to look closely at the level of teaching/support from the providers as it varies considerably.

At Vet Learning we believe in the importance of a true post-graduate learning experience and provide the exceptional learning support necessary to encourage it.

Hope that helps

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Andrei Uricaru — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:35:05 GMT

Hi Emilly,

I have done 2 modules with Edinburgh and 4 with Liverpool. Massive difference between the two and I would recommend Liverpool. Like the rest of our colleagues reported, very well structured and supportive. My advice is: if you want to start a certificate and commit to it, then waiting 3 more months for the right one should not be a great problem. Andrei.

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:32:11 GMT

[quote user="Kate Dawes"]It was hard work though, very intense for the duration of the module, but worth it. They say it is ~100hrs but I'm sure I did more. I managed to fit it around family/work, but probably wouldn't have wanted to do modules back to back without a break.[/quote]

I'd agree with Kate there - each case report takes a good chunk of time, and there's 3 per C module. I'm looking at just busting through and getting it done as soon as I can, but my other half took a break last summer for our holiday to Florida; would have been impossible to do a C module with that amount of time away

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Kate Dawes — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:29:01 GMT

I would recommend Liverpool as well. I'm part way through a Cert AVP (SAM), and did the A and B modules with the RVC, very much self directed, very limited support available (there was a candidates online forum which wasn't really used and had no input from tutors), feedback on essay plans was given. I have taken my time over the certificate due to having two children and being off on maternity for a while, so I am talking 5yrs ago - things may have changed.

I did my first C module with Liverpool (18mths ago) and really enjoyed the more structured approach - online lectures, a lot of references to read, discussion of others case reports and online journal club. It was hard work though, very intense for the duration of the module, but worth it. They say it is ~100hrs but I'm sure I did more. I managed to fit it around family/work, but probably wouldn't have wanted to do modules back to back without a break. I was away on holiday for one week which wasn't a problem, but any more than that would have been.

It probably depends how well motivated you are and which approach you prefer. If I had to make the decision again I think I would go for Liverpool for all the modules, but certainly with the clinical modules I felt that I wouldn't be able to find the appropriate information to get my knowledge up to the required standard without quite a bit of teaching/support.

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Chris Linney — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:40:01 GMT

Hi Emily,

I did part of my CertAVP through Liverpool (A and B) and part through Edinburgh (C modules). I have always been used to modular style learning so I found the Liverpool way worked best for me and having weekly assignments helped to break it down into bite-sized more manageable chunks. Edinburgh was well run too. I think it all comes down to learning style and preference, and also a level of self motivation. I found having weekly/fortnightly deadlines really helped and the Liverpool team are good with extensions with advanced notice. I got the modular work done around my internship, residency and newborn so I think it is doable but also I would have ended up with 10 essays to write at the 11th hour if I had done it any other way! Good luck with it!

Chris

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:38:10 GMT

The A module gets you used to the writing styles required for the certificate, a gentle lead in, so to speak. Given the fact you're not long graduated you may find it easier as that method of working, searching for papers etc is still fairly fresh.

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Emily Rainbow — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 22:07:55 GMT

Thanks all for your replies. I've missed the deadline for the next semester with Liverpool but with advice from a colleague who struggled with the deadlines within this practice during busier times I think I might go with RVC for my A Module and see how it goes from there. I plan to do one at a time so can switch it necc for the next ones. The next few months are our quietest so hopefully I can get my teeth into it and get started (the bit I struggle with regarding essays... The first paragraph) and then take it from there.

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 21:14:08 GMT

I did my cow cert with Edinburgh, and my wife is working on her sheep cert with them. Quite happy with the system. Irene and Sharon are great with queries. You do need to organise your own time and I admit it took me a bit to get started with the seemingly daunting A module (that I genuinely enjoyed doing)!

I know people doing the Liverpool system and they do enjoy it. There is some formal teaching, but the teaching doesn't cover the whole syllabus and you need to be aware of that. Some people found it quite intense as there are continual small deadlines and attendance at journal clubs etc. One girl I know has stopped to take some time out to get married.

The OP needs to decide what works best for them. With farm practice my workload varies seasonally, so I couldn't be dedicating a lot of time to work for half the year. I got most done during summer when things are more quiet.

(I found weekends on call the best time to work - you are kind of working anyway so can't go out and it's satisfying getting an essay done etc).

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

CatherineThomas — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:42:31 GMT

I did most of my modules with Edinburgh and I found their way of working suited me well. They basically give you the lists of essays etc and a yearly submission date so it's up to you to spread the work out as you want to. I know friends who did it with Liverpool and they sometimes struggled to find the time to fit the work in on busy weeks, I don't think that would have worked with me and how I was working at the time. I also did a module with the RVC which was very similar to how Edinburgh worked but the essays were marked as and when you submitted them.

RE: Cert AVP - thoughts?

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:00:16 GMT

Do it through Liverpool. The support and resources are fantastic and there are deadlines spaced throughout so you have to do the work and not let it all build up. The A & B modules are done throughout the year; the next intake is in February - time enough to do the proper research to decide whether Liverpool is the one for you.

I'm on my 2nd C module through Liverpool now and wouldn't do any different. It would be worth looking at the timings of the modules and planning ahead as to when you'll be dong the modules, if you want to have a break between a module etc, as some of the C modules only run once a year.