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Hernandez-Jover M, Davis E, Hayes L, Manyweathers J, Maru Y, Woodgate R. Contribution of the veterinary profession to the Australian animal health surveillance system and opportunities for future contributions. Prev Vet Med 2024; 226:106172. [PMID: 38479088 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Animal health surveillance is crucial for early detection of emergency animal diseases and effective responses. However, surveillance systems are complex and rely on the contributions of many animal health stakeholders. Veterinarians are key stakeholders in this system, given their role and skills in investigating, diagnosing, and reporting notifiable diseases. This study investigated the contribution of the veterinary workforce to the Australian animal health surveillance system and opportunities for future involvement. To achieve the aims of the study, an online cross-sectional survey among the veterinary profession was conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to provide an overview and investigate drivers of attitudes and practices of veterinarians in relation to animal health surveillance. A total of 311 usable responses were obtained, with 191 being from veterinarians who worked in private practice in the previous 12 months. Among private practitioners, 58.6% worked with companion animals, 34.0% were mixed practice veterinarians and 7.3% were equine veterinarians. Over half (56.6%) of all participants considered themselves active participants in the local animal disease management system. The level of confidence in understanding the reporting system and knowing and identifying signs of endemic and exotic diseases was moderate among those working in private practice, with companion animal veterinarians reporting the lowest levels of confidence (p < 0.05). Approximately 40% of veterinarians had taken samples for diagnosis for notifiable diseases in the last year, with just over 20% reporting a notifiable disease. Awareness of and participation in training and surveillance programs for animal diseases by veterinarians was low, with those working in private practice having lower levels of both awareness and participation for most programs. In relation to potential future contribution to the surveillance system, over half of participants reported being interested and available to undertake surveillance work on behalf of the government, with those in mixed practice reporting higher levels of interest (69.6%) compared to those in companion (49.5%) and equine practice (30.8%). However, key challenges identified were related to perceived conflict of interest, and tensions between client needs and government agenda, followed by profitability and suitability of the business. This study provides evidence of a significant existing contribution by the veterinary profession to the surveillance system, and the capacity and willingness to increase this contribution. However, there are gaps in awareness, confidence and participation, as well as financial and veterinary-client relationship challenges that should be considered in any future planning to strengthen the Australian surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Hernandez-Jover
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia.
| | - Emma Davis
- Global Veterinary Solutions Pty. Ltd, Yass, NSW 2582, Australia
| | - Lynne Hayes
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
| | - Jennifer Manyweathers
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
| | - Yiheyis Maru
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Woodgate
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
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Hayes L, Manyweathers J, Maru Y, Davis E, Woodgate R, Hernandez-Jover M. Australian veterinarians' perspectives on the contribution of the veterinary workforce to the Australian animal health surveillance system. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:840346. [PMID: 36061111 PMCID: PMC9435963 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.840346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the involvement of private veterinarians in surveillance activities and the veterinary workforce's contribution to the Australian animal health surveillance system. The perception that there is overall a decreased engagement by veterinarians in surveillance outcomes at a time when there is increased need for bolstering of surveillance systems was investigated. Three key questions were considered: (1) What is the current contribution of private veterinarians to the Australian surveillance system? (2) What is the veterinary professions capacity to assume a more prominent role in surveillance? (3) What is the interest and ability of the veterinary profession in Australia to undertake this surveillance role now and into the future? Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 17 private veterinarians with data analyzed qualitatively to identify key themes. Results demonstrate that private veterinarians are aware of their responsibilities and are engaged in surveillance activities at both formal and informal levels. The key challenges associated with current and future contributions were related to workload, remuneration, conflicts of interest and clarity over how responsibility for surveillance is shared amongst those involved in the system. The study has demonstrated that even amongst an engaged population, barriers do need to be addressed if private veterinarians are to be tasked with increasing their involvement in animal health surveillance activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Hayes
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Lynne Hayes
| | - Jennifer Manyweathers
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Yiheyis Maru
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Emma Davis
- Global Veterinary Solutions Pty. Ltd, Yass, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Woodgate
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Hernandez-Jover
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
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George J, Häsler B, Komba EVG, Sindato C, Rweyemamu M, Kimera SI, Mlangwa JED. Leveraging Sub-national Collaboration and Influence for Improving Animal Health Surveillance and Response: A Stakeholder Mapping in Tanzania. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:738888. [PMID: 34966802 PMCID: PMC8710487 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.738888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal health surveillance plays a vital role in ensuring public health, animal welfare, and sustainable food production by monitoring disease trends, early detecting (new) hazards, facilitating disease control and infection, and providing data for risk analysis. Good stakeholder collaboration across the sector can lead to better communication, better science and decision-making and more effective surveillance and response. An understanding of relevant stakeholders, their interests and their power can facilitate such collaboration. While information on key stakeholders in animal health surveillance is available at the national level in Tanzania, it is missing at the subnational level. The study aimed to explore the existing stakeholders' collaborations and influences at the subnational level through stakeholder mapping and to determine potential leverage points for improving the national animal health surveillance system. A qualitative design was used, involving consultative workshops with government animal health practitioners in Sumbawanga, Sikonge and Kilombero districts of Tanzania from December 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected using an adapted USAID stakeholder collaboration mapping tool with the following steps: (i) Define the objective (ii) Identify all stakeholders (iii) Take stock of the current relationships (iv) Determine resource-based influence (v) Determine non-resource based influence and (vi) Review and revise the collaboration map. Forty-five stakeholders were identified in all three districts and grouped into four categories: private sector and non-government organizations (n = 16), government (n = 16), community (n = 9) and political leaders (n = 4). Animal health practitioners had a stronger relationship with community stakeholders as compared to other categories. The results also showed that most of the stakeholders have non-resource-based influence compared to resource-based influence. The private sector and non-government organizations have a relatively higher number of resource-based influential stakeholders, while political leaders have more non-resource-based influence. The mapping exercise demonstrated that the system could benefit from community mobilization and sensitization, resource mobilization and expanding the horizon of surveillance data sources. Some of the leverage points include integration of surveillance activities into animal health services, clear operational processes, constant engagement, coordination and incentivization of stakeholders. The diversity in the identified stakeholders across the districts suggests that collaborations are contextual and socially constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janeth George
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Barbara Häsler
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics, and Public Health Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Erick V G Komba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Calvin Sindato
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,National Institute for Medical Research, Tabora Research Centre, Tabora, Tanzania
| | - Mark Rweyemamu
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sharadhuli I Kimera
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - James E D Mlangwa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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