Another Look at NAVMEC

By: Dalis Collins

University of Georgia, Class of 2013

It seems that if something has an acroymn, then it must be important. NAVMEC is no exception. It stands North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium, and this organization could drastically change not only our educational experience but the course the entire profession of veterinary medicine is taking. While you may not have heard of it, your administrators certainly have and more than likely someone from your school is participating in it. Here at UGA, Dr. Carmichael, our Dean of Academics, is our representative. Even SAVMA is represented by the two members of the SAVMA executive board. Composed of over 200 individuals from all aspects of the profession, the NAVMEC’s goal is to take a comprehensive look at veterinary curriculum try to determine how to structure education to best meet the changing needs of society. This may involve changes in everything from accredidation standards to tracking to required courses.

            Technology, globalization, and emerging diseases are all strong influences on the direction of veterinary medicine and issues that the NAVMEC should address. Much of the instruction about veterinary medical technology is learned in the clinics. Potential earlier exposure to modalities like MRI or endoscopy would increase clinical competencies sooner and enhance later clinic learning. Globalization is becoming and issue in every profession with the ease of communication and transportation. I know in the small animal clinic I work at the number of health certificates needed by clients rises each year as more Americans become global travelers with many wanting to take their pets with them. Exotic animal diseases like surra, screw worm fly infestation, and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease are just a few that can infect companion animals. However, private practitioners must know what to look for and many times these diseases are not covered in core curriculum. As a public health concern, many of the new emerging diseases are zoonoses like avian influenza, Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE) and the Nipah virus. Veterinarians have the potential to make a major impact on research and prevention of these diseases. However, public health and research training across schools is far from standardized and could be a target of change for updating the curriculum.

            It is clear that the world is changing and therefore so must veterinary medicine. Hopefully, the NAVMEC will be ready to meet the challenge and prepare the way for future of the profession by focusing on some of these issues.