BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
| Course Description |
Two patients come into your practice. The first is a cat newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. You know from experience that the likely course of treatment will include insulin injections. But do you know what different types of insulin are available? Do you know what complication may arise that would adversely affect the outcome of this patient? The second patient is a golden retriever who has the most common endocrine disease in dogs. What is it? Do you know the tests available to confirm the diagnosis?
Endocrine diseases are commonly seen in practice and it is vital that all staff members involved in treatment have a strong understanding of the factors involved. Basic Principles of Endocrinology is a 2 week course that will provide students with an overview of the endocrine system. It will help students understand endocrine terminology, the organs and glands that comprise the endocrine system, hormones and their role in proper functioning of the endocrine system, and common endocrine diseases. The knowledge gained in this course will help participants provide an increased level of medical support in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disease. It will help to improve communications with the practice team and with clients, and will help to provide a higher quality of care to patients. This course is a great refresher for veterinary technicians and other veterinary staff members who are already familiar with the endocrine system. It is also an excellent stepping stone to use prior to participating in the Advanced Concepts in Endocrinology course.
The interactive assignments in this course require access to patient medical records and access to a cat for palpation, a hyperthyroid cat if possible. In addition, access to the practice pharmacology area is required.
PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac.
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| Learning Objectives |
After completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- know the difference between exocrine and endocrine glands
- understand the terminology associated with endocrinology
- understand the terminology associated with endocrine hematology
- describe the location and function of endocrine glands including the hormones they produce
- know the most common diseases of the endocrine system and the tests used for diagnosis
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| Course Content |
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Basic anatomy and physiology, exocrine vs. endocrine glands, common endocrinology diseases and testing, types of glands and hormones are some of the general topics covered in this course.
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| Testimonials |
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...Great refresher. Thank you.
...I like how the course topics were organized. The lectures flowed in a way that made learning easy.
...Great course, with time flexibility.
...I thought the course material was well-prepared, informative and easy to understand.
...The flash presentations bc you write down all info for your notes instead of copying & pasting into a Word doc. I also enjoyed the assignments.
...I liked that we had to use cases from our practice for examples for the homework. I learn better when I have to directly use what I learn.
... For my purposes, the most helpful aspects of this course were the segments on normal anatomy and physiology followed by the pathology. It was my goal to review these systems for my role in collecting biological data for a couple of research studies, so I am pleased that my goal was accomplished - thank you!
... great seperation of materials. freedom of time to study. direct application to work.
... I liked the whole class, I am very interested in endocrinology but find it hard to memorize. Any time I have a chance to go over the material is a good learning experience
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| Student Login Requirements |
VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while a course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules.
PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac.
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| Course Completion Requirements |
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:
- Discussion and Homework Assignments
- Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better.
- Submission of the course survey
The interactive assignments in this course require access to patient medical records and access to a cat for palpation, a hyperthyroid cat if possible. In addition, access to the practice pharmacology area is required.
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| Recommended Student Criteria |
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The average student spends about 5 hours per week in order to complete all the mandatory requirements. This course is appropriate for all members of the veterinary practice team seeking a basic understanding of the endocrine system, disease process and presentation, and available testing options.
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| Continuing Education Credits |
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Course meets the requirements for 10 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery.
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| Course Writer |
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Linda Merrill, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
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| Course Instructor |
 Linda Merrill, LVT, VTS (Small Animal Internal Medicine) Emeritus
Linda received her AS degree in veterinary technology and an AA degree, both from Pierce College in Washington State. She has worked in specialty practice (cardio-pulmonary and oncology) and the majority of her time in small animal practice. She retired from clinical practice in 2021 but remains active in other areas of veterinary medicine.
She is an author and editor; her most recent works are as an author for the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 9th edition and as the editor for Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 2nd edition (in print 2024).
Linda is the former President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians and former President of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA).
Linda has achieved two Veterinary Technician Specialists credentials. Her first is the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT), she was the Founding Chair and is the current Executive Director. She currently holds Emeritus status. Her second specialty was as a Canine & Feline Veterinary Technician Specialist in Clinical Practice (AVTCP). At the time of her retirement, she withdrew her VTS in Clinical Practice.
In her spare time, Linda is an avid scuba diver and has traveled the 7 continents. Her husband, Jeff, is employed in the Alaskan seafood industry. They enjoy the company of their rescue cat, an adorable but clueless Persian named "The Cat Formerly Known as Philbert." Her household is also the home to 2 rescue dogs. Linda loves Corgis and currently has the sweetest Cardigans named Ember and Stewie.
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| Pricing |
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Price: $88.00 USD
Students may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course. There are no real time sessions. The design of this course allows each student to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline.
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