Behavioural Medicine Distance Education
Key information
Is it a behaviour problem or problematic behaviour? Learn to distinguish between the two, maximising treatment success for conditions like anxiety and aggression.
This course deepens your understanding of behavioural pharmacology, offering critical insights into the appropriate use of psychotropic medications—detailing when, why, how, and which medications to prescribe.
Understanding animal behaviour is vital for improving patient welfare and achieving positive clinical outcomes. This course provides the knowledge and tools needed to enhance interactions between pets, their owners, and veterinary professionals, ultimately improving the overall experience in your practice.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Enhance your ability to help clients better understand their pets' behavior.
- Deepen your understanding of the fundamentals of behavior and the intricate relationship between behavior and organic disease.
- Hone your skills in distinguishing between behavior problems and problematic behaviors to maximize treatment success.
- Learn to diagnose behavioral issues in most domestic species more accurately.
- Expand your knowledge of psychotropic medications used to treat behavioral problems, including when and why to use specific medications.
- Engage with other veterinarians who share an interest in behavioral medicine, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Modules
- Domestication and Genetics – understand what processes are involved in the behaviour of animals.
- Learning Theory 1 – appreciate the science behind how animals learn.
- Learning Theory 2 – apply the science every day in your interactions with animals.
- Neurology – discover more about the brain and behaviour and what makes animals tick.
- Psychotropic Medication 1 – learn about the common medications that help animals with mental health issues.
- Psychotropic Medication 2 – find out more about how medication can help your patients.
- Behavioural History – become more comfortable with diagnosing and implementing a treatment program for your patients.
- Anxiety Disorders – learn why they are so debilitating and affect the life expectancy of your patients.
- Aggression Issues – gain knowledge to safely and appropriately manage patients showing aggressive behaviours.
- Other common problems – increase your ability to deal with an assortment of behaviours that bother owners.
Course Delivery
This online course offers a comprehensive educational package that includes:
- Comprehensive Learning Materials: Participants will access a wide range of study resources including detailed digital notes, images, scholarly articles, and additional readings.
- Interactive Learning Opportunities: The course features self-reflection tasks for personal assessment, active discussion forums for peer and tutor interactions, and regular webinars to engage in debates and case discussions.
- Continuous Assessment: Monthly assignments are designed to assess and reinforce understanding, with personalised feedback provided by tutors to ensure comprehensive learning.
- Monthly Webinars: These sessions complement the modules and provide updates to keep participants abreast of the latest developments in the field.
- Practical Workshop: A 3-day intensive workshop allows participants to apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on practice with real case studies and address major problem areas, enhancing the practical learning experience.
Workshop/s
This Distance Education course includes an optional 3-Day Workshop in Melbourne. The date of the workshop is to be advised.
Who should enrol?
This course is ideal for qualified veterinarians looking to expand their expertise in animal behaviour.
Veterinary nurses with a special interest in the topic are welcome to enrol in this course. Please be aware that the course is designed for qualified veterinarians and you should consider this in light of your knowledge and experience before you register.
Tutors
Kersti Seksel, Debbie Calnon, Jacqui Ley, Barbara Lindsay, Sally Nixon & Isabelle Resch