Flay Kate J, Cheung Ruby L Y, Parkes Rebecca S V, Fitch Gareth L, Sousa Santiago Alonso, Wu Jannie, Taylor Susanna N
Production Animal Health, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 3/F Block 1B To Yuen Building, 31 To Yuen Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 5/F Block 1B To Yuen Building, 31 To Yuen Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
J Vet Med Educ. 2025 Jun;52(3):339-344. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2024-0036. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
Proficiency with ram breeding soundness examinations requires competency with palpation, a skill that can be difficult to teach and assess. There are limited small ruminant clinical skills models available, despite the advantages they offer in veterinary education. We developed reusable models for teaching ram breeding soundness examinations, focusing on scrotal assessment and palpation. Then we integrated these models into a practical session where multiple clinical aspects were included. We created anatomically normal ("sound") testes using 3D modeling software before editing these to display common abnormalities ("unsound" testes). Then, we 3D printed two-part molds and cast the silicone testes. Testes were inserted into siliconized, lubricated stockings facilitating free movement during palpation. Scrotal sacs were sewn from polar fleece and suspended to mimic natural orientation in a live, standing ram. As well as for scheduled classes, we used the models as a station in our course's Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) assessment. Our models offer advantages in the veterinary education context. Their relatively low cost and durability facilitates their classification as "open access" within our skills lab for student deliberate practice outside scheduled classes. They provide a uniform student learning experience that does not rely on live animals or clinical case load and aligns with best-practice recommendations from accrediting bodies. Student engagement and OSCE outcomes were good, but going forward it would be ideal to collaborate with a program that uses live rams for teaching and assessing this skill to directly examine the impact of our models on confidence and competence.
精通公羊繁殖健康检查需要具备触诊能力，而这是一项难以教授和评估的技能。尽管小型反刍动物临床技能模型在兽医教育中有诸多优势，但现有的此类模型数量有限。我们开发了用于教授公羊繁殖健康检查的可重复使用模型，重点是阴囊评估和触诊。然后，我们将这些模型整合到一个包含多个临床方面的实践课程中。我们使用3D建模软件创建了解剖结构正常（“健康”）的睾丸，然后对其进行编辑以展示常见异常（“不健康”睾丸）。接着，我们3D打印了两部分模具并浇铸了硅胶睾丸。将睾丸插入硅化、润滑的长袜中，以便在触诊时自由移动。阴囊袋用摇粒绒缝制，并悬挂起来以模拟站立的活体公羊的自然姿势。除了用于常规课程外，我们还将这些模型用作课程客观结构化临床考试（OSCE）评估中的一个站点。我们的模型在兽医教育环境中具有优势。它们相对较低的成本和耐用性便于在我们的技能实验室中将其归类为“开放获取”资源，供学生在常规课程之外进行刻意练习。它们提供了统一的学生学习体验，不依赖活体动物或临床病例数量，并且符合认证机构的最佳实践建议。学生的参与度和OSCE成绩都很好，但未来与一个使用活体公羊教授和评估这项技能的项目合作，以直接检验我们的模型对信心和能力的影响将是理想的。
