This book is the result of the combined labors of Rockett, a veterinarian and veterinary technician educator, and Christensen, a Certified Veterinary Technician; it may quite possibly be a co-author match made in heaven. Published by Rockett Publishing LLC, the large paperbound volume is designed for the education of veterinary technicians through the use of exercises in critical thinking as a method of clinical problem solving. Made up of 16 chapters, this book of case studies covers anatomy, client communications, restraint, surgical nursing and anesthesia, imaging, medical nursing, lab procedures, pharmacology, emergency medicine, nutrition, zoonoses and lab animal medicine. Further supportive documents include a photo gallery and SOAP maps.
Each case study is presented through four sub-categories which include: instructions for use of the case, the scenario to be used, questions to be answered and accompanying references. The pages can be removed and submitted for grading by students making this a great homework exercise for assignment by technician educators. Many of the case studies have accompanying pictures located in the photo gallery as well as documentation of which Essential and Recommended Skills (as mandated by the AVMA for veterinary technicians) are addressed and covered by each case. This is perhaps the most useful aspect of this book as it allows educators and curriculum developers to tailor the assignments to their needs in the classroom.
I could go on and on about this text, as an educator it has innumerable uses; however, for graduate veterinary technicians and practitioners already entrenched within their careers, this book may have limited use. For this reason alone, the book merits 3 out of 5 stars. I feel I must say that on content alone if I were reviewing this strictly as an educational resource, a solid 5 out of 5.
Publisher: Rockett House Publishing LLC, Heyburn, ID (2010)
ISBN13: 978-0-615-43-5053
VIN Bookstore: Currently Unavailable