Pia Cecilie Ammitzbøll Andersen
Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science (Internal Medicine) from University of Copenhagen, 2020.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Veterinarian at AniCura Københavns Dyrehospital (Copenhagen Animal Hospital).
A changed approach to patients
After attending several 1-2 day courses within her field, Pia Ammitzbøll felt like they no longer satisfied her need to evolve professionally.
“I was at a meeting at the Danish Veterinary Union where I saw some leaflets about the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science, and it sounded spot-on for me. The programme was longer and more systematized. I had been feeling stagnant, so this was a great opportunity for me to develop my skills further,” she says.
Pia has just handed in her Master’s thesis for the programme, but she is already using the skills she has learnt in her daily work.
“The programme has changed my whole approach to my patients. I work more evidence-based and systematized.
Time well spent
The learning environment is something that Pia has greatly appreciated during her studies.
“The teachers are very competent, and there has been a great balance between professionals from international specialisation clinics and the internal staff from the University Hospital. Depending on the subject, they have always been handpicked according to their expertise,” she says.
“Of course it also depends on your own background. If you come from a large hospital, maybe you will not be as blown away as I was. I started in a smaller clinic, and I felt like the teachers were great, so I gained a lot from it.”
Pia has put a lot of time and effort into her studies to make sure that she did indeed gain from it. Your own effort will determine how much you learn, but it is worth the struggle, according to Pia.
“I have primarily spent my evenings and weekends on the programme, but have occasionally taken a day off from work to prepare for exams. I feel like that has been worth it in order to still make everyday life work. The time I have put into it has been well spent. Looking back, all the hard work lays the foundation for a much smoother and better work life on the other side of the programme. Now I can take more patients without getting stressed.”
A new energy in everyday life
Reflecting on her experience with the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science, Pia says:
“There is so much to gain from this programme. The fact that I am less stressed at work and I can now communicate more clearly with the owner of the animal gives me an energy in everyday life that I was missing before. However, it takes time to get there. You can not do it without putting in hard work. You need to be willing to spend time and energy on it.”
Overall, Pia gladly recommends the programme to anyone who might be interested in attending it:
“I will definitely recommend it. I appreciated having a few years practical experience beforehand. This is a university-based programme, but it is also very practical and clinically relevant, which is so important for anyone working in practice. It is evidence-based and systematic, but you can go straight to the clinic the next day and implement what you have learnt, which is very valuable,” she says.
Interview from June 2020.