Information for mentors
The main objectives of the externship in the educational programme of Master of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University are 1) To get familiarized with the practical organisation and activities which take place within a veterinary practice as well as 2) to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes. These competences, in the curriculum of the 2nd and 3rd master students, are complementary with the theoretical and clinical education they receive at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. On top of an with a veterinarian, traineeships at research facilities and international organizations are also possible. All activities are under the guidance of the responsible at the externship spot.
Externships
Every type of externship has its specific objectives which contribute to reaching the competences of the Master of Veterinary Medicine (main subject Companion Animals, Ruminants, Research, Horse, Pig, Poultry and Rabbit).
Students that have successfully finalised the 1st bachelor year may participate in a voluntary externship.
Orientation externship
During this externship in 3rd Bachelor the student will follow 3 weeks of externship, and each week can take place in a different place. They can choose from within a broad spectrum of possibilities: private practices companion animals, ruminants, equine, but an externship in a company or in a research center is also a possibility.
This orientation externship is an observational externship with the main objective being an introduction of the student to the different areas of their future work field, and this at an early stage in their curriculum. This should help the students to orient themselves in their choice for their master education (clinical orientation (and choice of species?), research or an educational master).
More information: information Letter Orientation Externship
IMPORTANT: 3rd Bachelor students are at the beginning of their practical trajectory and have not yet started their clinical education at this point. During their first two bachelor years the focus lies on basic science and knowledge of the healthy animal. Students take their first steps on communicative and clinical skills in the second bachelor year. They start preclinical courses in the third bachelor year, for instance propaedeutics of domestic animals (teaching of anamnesis and clinical examination).
Graduation externship
The students of the third master year have an externship within their main subject (Companion Animals, Horse, Ruminants, Pig-poultry-rabbit). This externship comprises four weeks. For students of the main subject Pig-poultry-rabbit the externship comprises two weeks with a Swine veterinarian and two weeks in pig farm. During this externship, students actively participate in the veterinary practice under the supervision of a veterinarian.
More information on graduation externship.
Externship as elective course
This elective course in the 3rd master year allows the students to obtain additional experience and does not limit them to their main subject. The externship lasts 4 weeks and is not limited to a veterinary practice. It can take place in an international institution, a wildlife centre, foreign university, ….
More information on elective externship.
Research externship as elective course
This elective course in the 3rd master year offers the students the opportunity to do an externship of 2 to 4 weeks in a research institution. The student becomes familiar with research and the importance of the multidisciplinarity, internationalisation and scientific integrity of research, and can learn a reflective scientific attitude.
More information on research externship.
Voluntary externship
This type of externship is not part of the curriculum of the student but is part of the educational programme. It has a maximum duration of 60 working days at the same mentor per academic year. The faculty supports voluntary externships only for students having successfully obtained all credits of the first bachelor year.
Externship flow
Prior to the externship
Students discuss with the mentor the practical arrangements and content (learning goals, expectations, assignments) of the externship. This intake can be done face-to-face or via telephone, email or digital means. The students have received guidelines to conduct the interview and have to make a brief report. The externship request will be reviewed by the faculty and the mentor (more information on webapplication).
During the externship
The student actively participates and takes responsibility for the learning process, by asking for feedback and trying to reach the learning goals.
The mentor guides the student, gives feedback and actively involves the student in the activities of the practice.
The student completes the logbook (online) and writes an externship report, which contains an extensive case discussion along with a critical reflection.
End of the externship
After submitting the logbook (online), the mentor has to review it and fill out a final evaluation, preferably during an evaluation meeting.
Next, the responsible externship coordinator at UGent will give a final score (in line with the course specifications) based on the externship report and the submitted evaluation by the mentor.
The faculty asks the students to evaluate the mentor. This information will be handled confidentially and be used for quality management purposes only.
Webapplication
The flow of the externship will go via our online platform www.vesta.ugent.be. All online approvals replace signatures onto printed documents. Therefore, printed documents are not needed anymore. When a first externship request is made, the mentor will receive a personal login.
Afterwards the mentor will receive:
- an email prior to the externship with the request to approve online the following things (in order): the report of the intake interview, the risk analysis form (after possible additions) and the externship contract.
- an email at the completion of the externship with the request to approve it and fill out the logbook and the final evaluation.
Students in the 3rd master year have the opportunity to perform a self-evaluation.
Prior to the intermediate and final evaluation by the mentor, students can fill out the evaluation form. If they choose to do so, these grades are visible for the mentor who can adjust or approve them during the evaluation meeting.
Health and well-being
Medical examination
Ghent university is responsible for the medical examination of the students prior to the externship. This examination is based on a generic risk analysis. If additional risks are filled out by the mentor onto the risk analysis form, the student will contact the department of Health and Safety and ask for an additional examination.
Insurance
Ghent university is responsible for the insurance of the student during the externship if an (online) externship contract was approved. This applies to curricular as well as voluntary externships.
The legally required accident insurance is valid for activities at the externship spot as well as for transport to and from the place of externship.
In relation to the civil liability, the mentor is mandatory liable for any damage caused by the trainee during the externship. This responsibility is insured within the policy civil liability of Ghent University, this within the policy conditions and limits. In case of deceit, major fault or common light fault, the trainee is held responsible.
More information: Rights and duties
Dosimetry
Carrying a personal dosimeter is an obligation for students of the main subjects companion animals and horse during the externships and clinics.
Students of the 2nd master year and of the 3rd master year main subject Ruminants, Pig, Poultry and Rabbit do not have a personal dosimeter. This implies that, if they are supposed to be in a controlled zone with ionizing radiation, they should receive a dosimeter at the place of the externship.
Mentors where research is done via scintigraphy need to indicate this on the risk analysis form. In this case, an extra medical examination of the student is required before the start of the externship.
Cooperation mentors and the Faculty
The faculty can rely on highly motivated veterinarians and institutions for the organization of the externships. We optimise our interaction with the mentors via intermediate contacts and a yearly recurring mentor day.
Sign up as a mentor
Veterinarian or institutions that are interested in giving guidance to our students a regular basis can contact internatvetmed@ugent.be.
Contact
Externship committee
Chair Prof. dr. Jimmy Saunders – Policy advisor Lut Dhont - stage.di@ugent.be
+3292647773
International Relations Office
Chair Prof. dr. Sarah Gabriël – Policy advisor Tanya Struik - internatvetmed@ugent.be
+3292647772
Externship coordinators
- Companion animals: Prof. dr. Ingeborgh Polis
- Ruminants: Prof. dr. Lieven Vlaminck
- Research externship: Prof. dr. Ward De Spiegelaere
- Horse: Prof. dr. Katrien Smits
- Pig, poultry and rabbit: Prof. dr. Dominiek Maes
After submitting the logbook (online), the mentor has to review it and fill out a final evaluation, preferably during an evaluation meeting.
Next, the responsible externship coordinator at UGent will give a final score (in line with the course specifications) based on the externship report and the submitted evaluation by the mentor.
The faculty asks the students to evaluate the mentor. This information will be handled confidentially and be used for quality management purposes only.