What motivated you to volunteer with the ACVIM, or how did you first get involved with the organization?
As a resident I felt supported by my residency program, my mentors, and the ACVIM. I wanted to give back to the community after becoming Board certified and have been volunteering since 2011.
Could you describe the work of the Neurology Job Task Analysis (JTA) committee and how this work contributes to the overall mission/goals of the ACVIM?
The JTA committee is a group of Board-certified Veterinary Neurologists that have volunteered to review the knowledge, skills, and assessment lists (test specifications) expected of neurology Candidates. Volunteers are recruited from all avenues, including academia, clinical practice, research, and industry.
The first meeting of the committee determines if the current list is comprehensive and reflective of what we do as practicing neurologists. We also review items for clarity, redundancy, relevance, and omissions. Once this first step is completed, additional volunteers rank items based on their importance and the tasks are subsequently reviewed a third time. Having served on the committee three times, it’s been quite interesting to see the shift in depth and scope of the exam. While not the direct mission of the JTA, it’s been a pleasure to engage with other neurologists in this capacity.
As a member of this committee, what responsibilities and duties do you undertake?
As a JTA committee member, I took an active role in the in-person discussions of tasks and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) statements compiled for the Neurology Specialty Exam, as described above. I will also volunteer my time when the lists come back for review after being surveyed and ranked by other neurologists.
Can you share a successful collaboration story that highlights the positive impact of teamwork within the committee?
This year in particular, the committee noticed a deficit in the expectations of neurosurgical knowledge and skills. Though it’s outside of the committee to specifically address this, the connections between committee members on this group and other ACVIM committees will help this come full circle and improve future exams and residency training.
It was also beneficial to see how members who had served on Item Writing and Form Review committees and those who had taken the exam more recently were able to provide insight and perspective that helped inform our discussions.
How has your involvement with the ACVIM and on this committee personally enriched your professional experience and contributed to your growth in the field of veterinary internal medicine?
I have had the opportunity to meet new and interesting people. Living in south Florida, we see a lot of seasonal clientele, and it’s great to now know people across the country and in Canada that I can refer them to when our season is over and additional follow-up care is needed. The KSA is also a great opportunity for me to review what I remember (or have forgotten) since I last sat the exam.
What advice would you give to other Diplomates considering volunteering with the ACVIM?
I highly encourage everyone to volunteer! I find that ACVIM coordinators and staff are helpful in outlining the time commitment and expectations for each committee so you know if it will coordinate with your schedule.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for this committee and its impact within ACVIM? Are there any upcoming projects or goals that you are particularly excited about?
I look forward to seeing how this committee continues to reflect what we are doing in practice – from disc disease in dogs to electrodiagnostics in zoo med - as well as how it may shift the distribution of questions in future examinations.
...
