Defining the attributes expected of graduating veterinary medical students

The ability to appropriately select and interpret results of common diagnostic procedures and to perform routine hematologic and microbiologic analyses, urinalysis, simple pathologic evaluations, semen analysis, and common radiographic and other imaging procedures.• The ability to develop problem lists and differential diagnoses, to correlate clinical signs with appropriate organ systems, and to resolve clinical problems by logical reasoning and the application of the principles of evidence-based medicine.• The ability to develop appropriate clinical management and therapeutic strategies for each patient from the thoughtful analysis of the full array of available information.• The ability to recognize patients with immediately life-threatening conditions and to institute appropriate therapy.• The ability to perform routine surgical procedures including handling and suturing wounds and lacerations, surgery to remove foreign bodies, spaying and neutering, and administering anesthetics.• The skills essential for the administration of therapeutics by commonly used routes.• The common clinical skills and competencies for animal reproduction and neonatal care.• The clinical acumen to appropriately monitor progress as needed either by direct observation or client communication and to adjust therapy and diagnosis according to results.• The ability to recognize when their veterinary knowledge and skill is limited and the wisdom and integrity to seek consultation and referral.• The ability and knowledge to recognize and relieve pain and ameliorate the suffering of animals.• The ability to identify the circumstances when euthanasia is an appropriate option, to effectively and compassionately communicate the range of options to a client, and, as appropriate, to implement euthanasia under compassionate conditions for the animal and client.• The competence to identify and suggest approaches to help prevent disease and trauma in individual and groups of animals, including the ability to conduct an environmental assessment for hazards including toxic chemicals and plants.• The ability to create, maintain, and use accurate, legible, and legal medical records.• A competence in information technology to be able to access and retrieve accurate biomedical information, diagnostic strategies, and medical records from electronic databases and other resources.• The skills to gain and appropriately use new information and to remain current with emerging biomedical knowledge and therapeutic options.• The ability to critically examine new knowledge, with an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of scientific investigation in the biomedical sciences.