Mapping Disciplinary Competencies and Learning Outcomes to the Competency-Based Veterinary Education Framework Using Veterinary Pharmacology as an Example.

This article examines the integration of veterinary pharmacology competencies within the competency-based veterinary education (CBVE) framework, which outlines essential domains and competencies for veterinary graduates. The authors identified gaps and ambiguities in aligning the Day One Competencies in veterinary pharmacology—published by Werners and Fajt in 2021—with the CBVE framework, particularly regarding clinical practice relevance and pharmacology-specific skills such as safe prescribing. Through a systematic mapping process, they found that some CBVE competencies were not directly relevant to pharmacology, while others required clearer linkage to pharmacological knowledge and clinical application. The article recommends revising pharmacology competencies, developing entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and milestones, and fostering collaboration between pre-clinical and clinical educators to better prepare veterinary students for therapeutic decision-making and safe drug use in clinical practice.