Alexandra Bartlett won first place in the 2021 RCVS Veterinary Evidence Student Awards.

Awards support students’ engagement with evidence-based veterinary medicine.

The winners of the prestigious 2021 Veterinary Evidence Student Awards have been revealed.

The awards, launched by RCVS Knowledge in 2019, celebrate and support students’ engagement with evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) and its application into practice.

Applicants write and submit a Knowledge Summary to Veterinary Evidence, the peer-reviewed journal of RCVS Knowledge, in a bid to have it reported in an academic publication ahead of graduation.

This year’s winning submission was written by Alexandra Bartlett BSc (Hons) of the RVC, whose summary explored if using NSAIDs can reduce signs of postoperative pain in calves undergoing castration.

In her application, Alexandra critically appraised 20 controlled trials, concluding that there is moderate evidence to suggest that NSAID administration before, during or after castration can reduce the signs of postoperative pain in calves.

RCVS Knowledge said in a press release that her research has the potential “to improve calf welfare and benefit farm vets and farmers throughout the UK”.

Commenting on her achievement, Alexandra said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to have won the competition and have really enjoyed the opportunity to further my scientific writing and evidence-based veterinary medicine skills. I would definitely recommend the experience to anybody interested in entering!” she said.

Erina Leask from The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, scooped second place for her Knowledge Summary exploring the efficacy of EMLA cream for reducing pain associated with venepuncture in felines.

“I was composing a Knowledge Summary as part of the research component of my veterinary medicine degree,” said Erina. “I challenged myself to pursue publication because I wanted to produce something that could contribute meaningfully to our industry's evidence base and assist clinicians in making decisions that improve animal welfare.”

Third place was awarded to Eleanor Best, from The University of Bristol Veterinary School for her submission asking: “In reducing surgical recovery time in rabbits, should doses exceeding 0.2 mg/kg of oral meloxicam be given and is twice-daily administration more effective than a single daily dose?”

“I am really passionate about research and contributing to the expanding knowledge base to improve the welfare of our patients,” said Elanor. “Entering this competition and writing a Knowledge Summary enabled me to hone my skills in literature searching and appraisal, and I hope to use these tools in general practice to make a difference in the clinic.”

The winning paper is available to read on the Veterinary Evidence website, while the second and third-place papers will be published in the coming weeks.

Dr Kit Sturgess, editor-in-chief of Veterinary Evidence, said of this year’s awards: “The engagement of the students, quality and number of submissions was fantastic and I am enormously encouraged by such a positive endorsement from the vets of the future about the importance and value of evidence-based veterinary medicine and their desire already to contribute knowledge to the profession.”

The winners will receive their awards at the RCVS Honours and Awards virtual event in September 2021.