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A two-year completely online, comprehensive Small Animal Medicine Online Learning program – with a structured route towards postgraduate certification and a post nominal qualification.
Work your way through the specialist-developed materials, at your own pace, with help and support available from registered Specialist Tutors on the online forum.
Weekly lessons for each Module includes relevant clinical material – to update and build on prior knowledge; the latest diagnostic and therapeutic options; and case studies to help consolidate the module content.
The innovative learning platform provides interactive short assessments and quizzes, video lectures, reference articles and demonstrations of clinical techniques, all supported by the specialist discussion board.
Small Animal Medicine Online Learning is the only small animal medicine training program within Australia/New Zealand accredited by the International School of Veterinary Post Graduate Studies ISVPS for the General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Medicine.
Register your interest to receive SAM Online Learning Program updates.
Year 1 Modules
Module Developer & Tutor:
Kieran Borgeat, BSc (Hons), BVSc, MVetMed, CertVC, DipACVIM, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 May 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Developer & Tutor:
Kieran Borgeat, BSc (Hons), BVSc, MVetMed, CertVC, DipACVIM, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 June 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Claire Sharp, BSc, BVMS, MS, DACVECC
Module Developer:
Simon Tappin, MA, VetMB, GPCert (SAP), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 July 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
TBA
Module Developer:
Raquel Trevail, DVM, DipECVM, MRCVS
Date: 1 August 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Mellora Sharman, BVSc, MVM, PGradCert, PhD, FANZCVS, DECVIM-CA
Module Developer:
Simon Tappin, MA, VetMB, GPCert(SAP), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 September 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
James Foster BSc BVMS PhD FANZCVS
Module Developer:
Kerry Simpson, BVM&S, PhD, FACVSc, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 October 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Thurid Johnstone, DVM, PhD, DECVIM-CA
Module Developer:
James Swann, MA, VetMB, MVetMed, DipACVIM, DipECVIM, MRCVS
Date: 1 November 2022
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Thurid Johnstone, DVM, PhD, DECVIM-CA
Module Developer:
Joana Agguiar, MVM, MVetMed, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Date: 1 February 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
John Hutt, BVSc (Hons), CertVD, MANZCVS, DACVD Specialist Dermatology
Module Developer
Rosario Cerundolo, DVM, CertVD, DipECVD, MRCVS
Date: 1 March 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Edith Hampson, BVSc, PhD, FANZCVS
Module Developer:
Sally Turner, VetMB, DVOphthal, MRCVS
Date: 1 April 2023
Key learning objectives:
Year 2 Modules
Module Tutor:
Bruce Parry, Veterinary Clinical Pathologist and Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne
Module Developer:
Nick Bexfield, BVetMed, PhD, DSAM, DipECVIM-CA, FSBoil, MRCVS
Date: 1 May 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Lydia Hambrook, FANZCVS, Registered Specialist (Small Animal Medicine)
Module Developer:
Jame Swann, MA, VetMB, MVetMed, DipACVM, DipECVIM, MRCVS
Date: 1 June 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Bruce Parry, Veterinary Clinical Pathologist and Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne
Module Developer:
Marta Costa DVM MSc FRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Date: 1 July 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Dr Randi Drees Dr.med.vet PhD DipACVR (Radiation, Radiology, Oncology) DipECVDI add RadOncol PGCertAP MRCVS
Module developer:
Andrew Holdsworth BSc, BVSc (Hons), DipECVDI, MRCVS
Date: 1 August 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Mellora Sharman, BVSc, MVM, PGradCert, PhD, FANZCVS, DECVIM-CA
European Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Module Developer:
Scott Kilpatrick BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Date: 1 September 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Mellora Sharman, BVSc, MVM, PGradCert, PhD, FANZCVS, DECVIM-CA
European Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Module Developer:
Scott Kilpatrick BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Date: 1 October 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Philip Brain, BVSc, FACVSC (Small Animal Medicine) FAVA
Module developer:
Susana Silva CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Date: 1 November 2023
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Ann Thompson, BVSc, MANZCVS, MSc, GCHEd, DACVIM
Module developer:
Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSBiol MRCVS
Date: 1 February 2024
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Ann Thompson, BVSc, MANZCVS, MSc, GCHEd, DACVIM
Module developer:
Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSBiol MRCVS
Date: 1 March 2024
Key learning objectives:
Module Tutor:
Veronika Langova, MVDR, MACVSC Medicine, FANZCVS (Oncology)
Module Developer:
Ana Lara, DVVM, MSc, PhD, PgCert, MedEd, FHEA, DipACVIM, ECVIM-CA (Oncology)
Date: 1 April 2024
Key learning objectives:
"This program was truly excellent. Lots of detail in the slides and hand-outs. Excellent mix of providing information, using questions to check understanding and all with the proper clinical relevance. Feel much more confident in how I would approach and treat these conditions. Specialist response to questions was quick and detailed."
Full Payment Upfront (Total payable AU $13,490)
Or contact Improve directly for alternative payment options.
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST
AU $1,000 initial deposit to secure your place. The full balance of fees ($12,490) must be paid one month prior to program start date.
If your enrolment is being submitted within one month of the program start date and you would like to discuss payment options, please contact the Improve team.
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST.
Payment Plan through VetEdPay* (AU $13,490 + $195 administration fee
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST
*Please note: By selecting this option for payment you are connecting with VetEdPay, an external finance provider.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
Terms and conditions for the FREE Veterinary Practice MembershipGeneral Improve International booking Terms & Conditions apply – see our website for full details. The annual subscription is valid for all bookings in our Small Animal Medicine Online Learning program commencing 2022. This offer is exclusive for our vet Small Animal Medicine Online Learning Program and is not valid for any of our other courses. It cannot be converted into cash or be held as a credit. Delegates must be FULLY enrolled in the program, or have an approved payment arrangement in place with Improve International to receive this offer.
You must be a graduated Veterinary Surgeon with a minimum of 1 year clinical experience, please check with Improve, to ensure your suitability. It is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure you meet the program entry criteria.
You will spend on average 3-5 hours per week on reading and working through the interactive materials on the platform. You may spend significantly more time if you are engaging with the specialist tutor and your colleagues on the discussion forum and posting cases and questions, preparing cases, forum interaction etc.
After the module month is over, you will continue to have access to the SAM Online Learning interactive material however the specialist tutor for that month’s module will no longer be available for answering questions. You will still have access to the discussion forum and the ability to view archived questions/tutor responses and can discuss module content/questions with other delegates.
It is advised to make use of the specialist tutors for each month’s module by asking questions on the discussion board for that month. If you have questions on a makeup module that is complete the discussion board is also open to colleagues engaging and answering. The idea of the forum discussion boards are that colleagues in the program, from around the world, can help each other and add thoughts and ideas on makeup questions
The program must be completed within 6 months of the final module. GPCert candidates then have up to four years to satisfy ISVPS assessment requirements and obtain the GPCert and will have continued access to the program.
The (GPCert) programs complete the learning objectives of the GPCert syllabus and are not intended to fully cover the ANZCVS Membership requirements. The program will provide a structured study program and a solid clinical and practical knowledge that will definitely benefit those undertaking further study in small animal medicine. A number of our program participants have successfully used it for their membership preparation.
Yes. Location of study does not affect/change this global program. We can accept delegates across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific region*
Additionally, all content is pre-recorded so can be viewed at any time of day (i.e. time zone differences will not impact your access to content). However, you may need to allow extra time for tutor responses (as tutors will be based in Australia).
If you intend to sit the GPCert(SAM) qualification through ISVPS, their requirements are based around online assessment. ISVPS are an independent accrediting and awarding body – please contact the ISVPS directly for further information (australia@isvps.org).
*Be aware if you are not from these geographic regions you will be referred to nearest Improve International Office who can help you enrol in the SAM Online Learning program.
