Clinical problem solving

Understanding the Clinical Process in Veterinary Interviews

In veterinary interviews, it is not about knowing lots and lots of diseases; it is about how vets think when they are presented with an animal that cannot talk. This is how this process usually goes:

1. Get the information from the owner.

2. Watch how the animal looks and acts.

3. Do a check up.

4. Choose appropriate tests.

5. Decide what to do next.

What Vets Must Consider

Vet work with a variety of different animals, so therefore, they need to know what is normal for each one and what specific diseases they’re prone to. Vets also need to change how they do things depending on the temperament of the animals. Each client has different financial and specific needs.

It is not always clear cut because animals cannot say what is wrong and owners may not always provide the right info.

What This Shows in an Interview

This is about showing that you understand how the clinical process works, not that you know how to do it already. In an interview the main topics to bring up are:

• You understand that the vet works in a logical and organised manner.
• You know that communication is very important because it allows you to make a diagnosis.
• You understand that vets deal with a lot of unknowns.

Common Questions You May Be Asked

• How would you check an animal that is presenting vomiting, lameness and not eating?
• What does a clinical exam involve?
• What do you think is most important when gathering clinical history?

What Interviewers Are Looking For

• Logical thinking.
• Keeping welfare first.
• Safe answers (don’t diagnose!).