Perceptions of clients and veterinarians on what attributes constitute 'a good vet'

The perceptions of veterinarians and small animal (SA) clients on what attributes constitute 'a good veterinarian' were examined by a questionnaire survey. The respondents were asked to record how important they considered 20 attributes for a veterinary surgeon to have on a five-point scale from 'not at all important' to 'very important'. In addition, they were asked to list which attributes they considered to be the three most important attributes in a veterinary surgeon; finally, they were asked whether there were any additional attributes that they considered to be highly desirable in a veterinary surgeon. In total, 407 SA clients, 243 SA veterinarians and 61 non-SA veterinarians completed the questionnaire. There were significant differences in the proportion of clients who considered an attribute to be 'very important' compared with SA veterinarians for 12 of the 20 attributes (P<0.005). A larger proportion of clients considered 'confidence', 'knowledge about veterinary medicine and surgery', 'cleanliness', 'good at explaining technical terms', 'patience', 'clear about cost of treatment', 'ability to work in a team', 'honesty', 'politeness', 'decisiveness', 'good with animals' and 'good practical skills' to be 'very important' attributes than the SA veterinarians; a larger proportion of SA veterinarians considered 'good communication skills' to be a 'very important' attribute than the clients.     

Evaluation of veterinarian and veterinary student knowledge and clinical use of pulse oximetry

We hypothesized that veterinarians and veterinary students may lack key knowledge about pulse oximetry, which may result in this type of patient monitor not being used on appropriate patient populations or to its full capabilities. A questionnaire was developed to assess an individual's knowledge and understanding of pulse oximetry. Residents and specialists in anesthesiology and critical care at several academic institutions were surveyed first to assess the questionnaire for clarity and to serve as a control group. General veterinary practitioners (GPs) attending continuing education courses at the University of Georgia were surveyed over a 24-month period. Students entering their senior year anesthesiology rotation at the University of Georgia were also surveyed. Residents and specialists (69% correct responses) scored significantly higher than senior students (46%), who scored significantly higher than GPs (34%). Only 15% of GPs and 21% of senior students reported that they had received training in pulse oximetry in school. Those who had received training scored significantly higher than those who did not. Many GPs did not report using a pulse oximeter on their critical patients under anesthesia, a group that would be expected to benefit from its use. Veterinarians have a poor understanding about how pulse oximetry works, the information provided by pulse oximetry, and how to best apply it to their patients. Furthermore, the respondents did not use pulse oximeters in a manner that would derive the most information and result in the greatest benefit to the patient relative to the cost of the instrument. Didactic training in veterinary curricula and during continuing education opportunities continues to be necessary in order to produce veterinarians, who have an understanding of the technologies available that can be used to improve patient care.     

Motivation and Characterization of Finnish Meat Inspection Veterinarians

A questionnaire survey on the factors affecting the motivation and work attitudes of Finnish veterinary meat inspectors was conducted. Traditional meat inspection on the slaughtering line and in the emergency department took up most of the weekly work time (15.8% and 15.8%, respectively). Emergency slaughtering (29%) and general hygiene control (29%) were considered the most important tasks of veterinary meat inspectors. Assurance of meat safety (68%) was cited as the most important single reason for meat inspection. Veterinary meat inspectors were of the opinion that they do not play an important role in the training of slaughterhouse personnel, although they considered training to be a very important means for promoting hygienic work methods among workers. Three orientations of the respondents toward meat inspection and slaughterhouse operations were revealed from the survey: hygiene, education, and emergency slaughter work orientation. Meat inspection veterinarians may feel isolated from the other personnel responsible for maintaining quality and hygiene. The orientation and possible isolated position of veterinary meat inspectors should be given more attention in both the basic undergraduate and postgraduate training of veterinary meat inspectors.     

Current attitudes to,and use of,peri-operative analgesia in dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand

AIM: To investigate the attitudes of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand to pain and analgesia, and their use of analgesic drugs, in dogs and cats.

METHODS: A questionnaire posted to 1,200 practising veterinarians was used to gather information about the use of analgesia in dogs and cats, assessment of pain, attitudes to pain relief, analgesic drugs and procedures used, factors affecting choice of analgesic agent, and veterinary demographics, continuing education and staffing.

RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty questionnaires with useable data were returned, a response rate of 28%. Male and female veterinarians were evenly represented. The analgesic agents most commonly used were morphine (opioids) and carprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; NSAID). Use of peri-operative pain relief ranged from 50% for castration of cats to 91% for fracture repair in dogs. For most procedures, female veterinarians scored pain at a significantly higher level than their male colleagues. Fifty-eight percent of respondents considered their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was adequate.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey was considered representative of veterinarians working in companion animal practice in New Zealand. Results indicated a relatively high use of peri-operative analgesia, including both pre-emptive and multi-modal analge- sia, in cats and dogs, although there was still some disparity between the perception of how painful a procedure was and the consequent use of pain relief.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The establishment of current attitudes and practices indicates to practising veterinarians how their own use of analgesics compares with that of their colleagues. It also provides information to educators on potential areas of focus, given that 42% of respondents felt their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was inadequate.     

Veterinary education in the era of information technology

SUMMARY A major innovation in the delivery of the veterinary curriculum is being implemented at The University of Melbourne using the subject of systematic bacteriology and mycology as a pilot project. Students receive course information as interactive, multimedia databases. These consist of text and an associated library of catalogued digital images, movies and sounds. The databases employ a hypermedia information system to achieve efficient integration within and between subjects. The new delivery method encourages greater autonomy and more active learning roles for students than occurs in traditionally taught courses. Students will use their databases as the principal resource of information for undergraduate studies. A unique feature of this system for delivering the curriculum is that students will modify and expand their databases during the course. The ultimate aim is for students at graduation to receive, on disc, a copy of their own databases, adapted by themselves to their particular future professional needs. As graduate veterinarians they will continue to use their databases as a major resource for information and learning, thus providing continuity from undergraduate to continuing postgraduate education.     

Evaluating of veterinarians' and veterinary students' knowledge and clinical use of pulse oximetry

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: We hypothesized that veterinarians and veterinary students may lack key knowledge about pulse oximetry, which may result in this type of patient monitor not being used on appropriate patient populations or to its full capabilities. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire was developed to assess an individual's knowledge and understanding of pulse oximetry. Residents and specialists in anesthesiology and critical care at several academic institutions were surveyed first to assess the questionnaire for clarity and to serve as a control group. General veterinary practitioners (GPs) attending continuing education courses at the University of Georgia were surveyed over a 24-month period. Students entering their senior-year anesthesiology rotation at the University of Georgia were also surveyed. RESULTS: Residents and specialists (69% correct responses) scored significantly higher than senior students (46%), who scored significantly higher than GPs (34%). Only 15% of GPs and 21% of senior students reported that they had received training in pulse oximetry in school. Those who had received training scored significantly higher than those who had not. Many GPs did not report using a pulse oximeter on their critical patients under anesthesia, a group that would be expected to benefit from its use. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinarians have a poor understanding of how pulse oximetry works, the information it provides, and how best to apply it to their patients. Furthermore, the respondents did not use pulse oximeters in a manner that would yield the most information and result in the greatest benefit to the patient relative to the cost of the instrument. Didactic training in veterinary curricula and during continuing education opportunities continues to be necessary in order to produce veterinarians who have an understanding of the technologies available to improve patient care.     

Current attitudes to, and use of, peri-operative analgesia in dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand

AIM: To investigate the attitudes of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand to pain and analgesia, and their use of analgesic drugs, in dogs and cats. METHODS: A questionnaire posted to 1,200 practising veterinarians was used to gather information about the use of analgesia in dogs and cats, assessment of pain, attitudes to pain relief, analgesic drugs and procedures used, factors affecting choice of analgesic agent, and veterinary demographics, continuing education and staffing. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty questionnaires with useable data were returned, a response rate of 28%. Male and female veterinarians were evenly represented. The analgesic agents most commonly used were morphine (opioids) and carprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; NSAID). Use of peri-operative pain relief ranged from 50% for castration of cats to 91% for fracture repair in dogs. For most procedures, female veterinarians scored pain at a significantly higher level than their male colleagues. Fifty-eight percent of respondents considered their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was adequate. CONCLUSIONS: This survey was considered representative of veterinarians working in companion animal practice in New Zealand. Results indicated a relatively high use of peri-operative analgesia, including both pre-emptive and multi-modal analgesia, in cats and dogs, although there was still some disparity between the perception of how painful a procedure was and the consequent use of pain relief. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The establishment of current attitudes and practices indicates to practising veterinarians how their own use of analgesics compares with that of their colleagues. It also provides information to educators on potential areas of focus, given that 42% of respondents felt their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was inadequate.     

Profile of Veterinarians and Veterinary Practice in Ghana

This paper presents a profile of veterinary practice and veterinarians in Ghana, as assessed through secondary data and a questionnaire. In all, 123 veterinarians responded, giving a response rate of 85% (123/145). Analysis of the secondary data from 1986–95 revealed that Veterinary Livestock Units (VLU) per veterinarian ranged from 10000 to 16000 and VLU per technical support staff ranged from 2000 to 3000. However, the distribution of the staff within the country was poor, resulting in very high ratios for the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta Regions and low ratios for Central, Ashanti and Eastern Regions. The bulk of the respondents (78%) had 15 or fewer years of experience, with the overall mean being 12 years. The most common animal species handled were small ruminants and the most common activities were prevention/treatment of worms, surgery and giving advice. Lack of transport ranked highest among the constraints to veterinary work. The perceived determinants of effective and efficient service delivery were the availability and efficiency of means of transport, adequacy of logistics, remuneration for staff in rural posts and farmer education in husbandry practices. The respondents perceived poor management techniques of farmers and lack of credit as major factors hindering livestock production in Ghana. The implications of these and other findings are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hendra virus in Queensland,Australia, during the winter of 2011: Veterinarians on the path to better management strategies

Following the emergence of Hendra virus (HeV), private veterinarians have had to adopt additional infection control strategies to manage this zoonosis. Between 1994 and 2010, seven people became infected with HeV, four fatally. All infected people were at a higher risk of exposure from contact with horses as they were either veterinary personnel, assisting veterinarians, or working in the horse industry. The management of emerging zoonoses is best approached from a One Health perspective as it benefits biosecurity as well as a public health, including the health of those most at risk, in this case private veterinarians. In 2011 we conducted a cross-sectional study of private veterinarians registered in Queensland and providing veterinary services to horses. The aim of this study was to gauge if participants had adopted recommendations for improved infection control, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the development of HeV specific management strategies during the winter of 2011. A majority of participants worked in practices that had a formal HeV management plan, mostly based on the perusal of official guidelines and an HeV field kit. The use of PPE increased as the health status of an equine patient decreased, demonstrating that many participants evaluated the risk of exposure to HeV appropriately; while others remained at risk of HeV infection by not using the appropriate PPE even when attending a sick horse. This study took place after Biosecurity Queensland had sent a comprehensive package about HeV management to all private veterinarians working in Queensland. However, those who had previous HeV experience through the management of suspected cases or had attended a HeV specific professional education programme in the previous 12 months were more likely to use PPE than those who had not. This may indicate that for private veterinarians in Queensland personal experience and face-to-face professional education sessions may be more effective in the improvement of HeV management than passive education via information packages. The role of different education pathways in the sustainable adoption of veterinary infection control measures should be further investigated.     

Survey of mistakes made by recent veterinary graduates

To investigate the incidence and types of mistakes made in veterinary practice, and to assess the impact the mistakes had on the veterinarians involved, a questionnaire was sent in November 2002 to all the veterinary graduates of the Universities of Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Liverpool in 2001. One hundred and eight (27 per cent) of 402 questionnaires were returned completed; 87 of 106 respondents (82 per cent) worked frequently or always unsupervised and only 46 (43 per cent) could always rely on support from other veterinarians in the practice. Since starting work, 82 of 105 respondents (78 per cent) stated that they had made a mistake, defined as an erroneous act or omission resulting in a less than optimal or potentially adverse outcome for a patient and in many cases these mistakes had had a considerable emotional impact on the veterinarians involved. The survey highlights that a large number of recently graduated veterinarians work with little supervision and that many veterinarians beginning their year in practice do not always have access to assistance from other veterinary colleagues.     

Reviewing the undergraduate veterinary curriculum in Finland for control tasks in veterinary public health

To review and develop the undergraduate veterinary curriculum on official control in veterinary public health, an electronic survey was sent to 204 Finnish veterinarians employed in the field of food hygiene in 2005. The response rate was 44%. Most frequently cited as strengths of the current curriculum were extensive education and good knowledge. Respondents considered the main challenges in their work to be a wide field of activity, organizational changes, financial resources, organization of substitutes, and collaboration with decision makers. Of the 23 items to be included in the undergraduate curriculum, therefore, respondents prioritized state and local decision making, the role of the public servant, and leadership and management in the area of social factors; in the field of practical control work, in-house control systems, organizations and responsibilities, control techniques, and planning and targeting of controls were prioritized. Of areas traditionally covered in the undergraduate curriculum, legislation; legal proceedings and implications of controls; risks to human, animal, and plant health; and hazards in feed, animal, and food production were stated to be the most important. Although respondents were generally content with their career choice, veterinary public health tasks were not their first choice of career path immediately after graduation. Based on these findings, more attention should be focused on social aspects and practical training in official control in the undergraduate veterinary curriculum. The survey results also highlight the contrasts between society's needs and veterinarians' motivations and career-path expectations, which pose a significant challenge for future curricula.     

Prevalence of occupational exposures and protective practices in Australian female veterinarians

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of exposure to potentially harmful occupational hazards in Australian female veterinarians and to report factors associated with prevalence of occupational hazards in this profession. DESIGN: National cross-sectional survey of a cohort population. PROCEDURE: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 5748 veterinarians (males and females) graduating from Australian veterinary schools from 1960 to 2000. This paper reports the prevalence of occupational exposures in 1197 female veterinarians in their current job including radiation, anaesthetic gases, pesticides and long working hours. Comparisons were undertaken between respondents by practice type and decades of graduation. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to predict the risk for exposure to occupational hazards in female veterinarians by age, type of practice, graduation year and number of hours worked. RESULTS: The response rate for females was 59%. We found that age under 30 years, small and mixed animal practice, graduation year after 1990, and working more than 45 hours per week were all associated with greater exposure to putative risk factors. Mixed animal practitioners worked more than 45 hours per week (53%) and reported the highest exposure to anaesthetic gases (94%) and pesticides (54%). Twenty two percent of those who were exposed to anaesthetic gases did not have waste anaesthetic gas scavenging systems. Small animal practitioners reported they took more X-rays (90%). While taking X-rays, 56% of respondents reported physically restraining animals, and only one in five of respondents used film holders and lead screens. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of potentially harmful exposures among female veterinarians and lack of use of protective equipment at work needs to be considered in developing and planning the safety of veterinary work.     

Workplace stress, mental health, and burnout of veterinarians in Australia

Objective To determine the frequency of the states of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout using internationally validated methods and to relate these to the demographic characteristics of veterinarians in Australia. Methods A postal survey of registered veterinarians with at least one year's experience and whose address was available; 1947 returned the questionnaire providing data for analysis. Results Overall, veterinarians describe higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout than the general population. The severity of these states was determined by gender, background, type of practice and years after graduation. Conclusions Modifying the curricula of veterinary schools to include the teaching of personal cognitive and coping skills to undergraduate veterinary students, the provision of the opportunity to enhance these skills throughout their veterinary career and changes in the veterinary workplace could result in improved mental health, increased job engagement and work satisfaction.     

The arts in the lives of Australian veterinarians: a preliminary survey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of the arts in the lives of those veterinary students and veterinarians who could be found to be active in one or more of the arts. PROCEDURE: Veterinary students and veterinarians active in the arts were sought by advertisement and personal contact. Respondents each completed a questionnaire, which was analysed using SAS. RESULTS: Of the 55 respondents (43 veterinarians; 12 students), 73% were involved in music, 31% in theatre, 27% in writing and 15% art, but for more than 80% this occupied no more than 10 hours/week, about one quarter of the time for veterinary work. Although most would like to spend more time on the artistic activity, this was generally limited by the need to earn an income from veterinary work. Music and drama provided satisfaction, variety, and relaxation while catering to creative needs. A creative outlet and satisfaction was very important for writers as well, but they also valued the intellectual stimulation. A complex relationship existed between the artistic and the veterinary activities, but the nature of this relationship varied both between type of artistic activity, and the person concerned. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinary science and the arts can complement one another with each making important contributions to the person and the artistic field involved, even though limitations of time for the arts may cause frustration.     

THE LITERATURE OF VETERINARY IMAGING: THE ANALYSIS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE

250 veterinarians, including 143(57.7%) non-radiologists, replied to a questionnaire on current literature of veterinary imaging. Veterinary Readiology & Ultrasound was considered the best overall journal, being chosen as first choice by 51.6% respondents. It was also judged to have the best photographic reproduction. No book was chosen as first choice by more than 18.4%. Three, Textbook of Diagnostic Radiology, Thrall; Diagnostic Radiology of the Dog & Cat, Kealy and Thoracic Radiography of the Dog & Cat, Suter & Lord, were chosen by 18.4%, 16.8% and 13.2% respondents respectively. Clinically orientated papers and review articles were the preferred contents of journlas. Experience of colleagues and journals were adjudged the best source of information on diagnostic imaging. Differences in results between radiologists and non-radiologists were not great and geographic differences were few. Of the 112 respondents who had published papers on veterinary imaging, 30 (26.4%) were non-radiologists.     

Perceptions of the human-animal bond in veterinary education of veterinarians in Washington State: structured versus experiential learning

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: The purpose of this research was to describe Washington private practitioners' beliefs about how the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) should be addressed in DVM curricula and continuing education. METHODOLOGY: 1,602 Washington veterinarians in private practice were asked to participate in an online survey that addressed the importance of HAB and of DVM/post-DVM HAB education. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The response rate was 25.9% (415/1,602). Eighty-one percent (334/412) of respondents indicated that the HAB was important to their decisions to become veterinarians. The HAB was more important to the most recent graduates than to earliest graduates and to females than to males. Forty-four percent (184/415) of respondents considered mentoring to be the best way to learn about the HAB while in veterinary school. Of the 40% (165/415) of respondents who indicated that their veterinary schools offered structured learning on the HAB, 89% (145/163) said they had participated in it. Seven percent (29/415) indicated that entry-level veterinarians were very prepared to identify and facilitate the HAB, while 54% (224/415) said that they were somewhat prepared. Only 32% (131/415) had participated in any HAB structured learning since having started practicing, and the earliest graduates were twice as likely to have participated as the most recent graduates. More than half (55%, 223/407) disagreed or strongly disagreed that post-DVM, the best way to learn about the HAB is through structured learning. However, 83% (342/414) agreed that continuing-education credits should be given for HAB classes. Eighty-six percent (358/414) supported additional HAB research. Ninety-seven percent (402/414) agreed that the best way to learn about the HAB is through experience. These results suggest that veterinarians do not value HAB structured learning as much as experiential learning and that they are not very confident in recent graduates' abilities regarding the HAB. We propose HAB structured learning in the first three years of DVM education, complemented by the incorporation of the HAB into clinical rotations and post-DVM continuing education.     

Survey of Equine Nutrition: Perceptions and Practices of Veterinarians in Georgia,USA

Equine nutrition plays a critical role in equine health. The veterinarian is an expected major source of equine nutrition information, yet little evidence exists to evaluate this assumed role, particularly from the veterinarian’s perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and confidence levels and practices and perceptions regarding equine nutrition by surveying equine clinicians in Georgia, USA. A sample representative of a cross-section of equine veterinarians participated in the survey: response rate was 20%. Veterinarians reported that although their level of equine nutrition knowledge had improved since graduation, their confidence levels varied when giving nutritional advice on a number of prevalent nutritional-related conditions. Their confidence level in giving nutritional advice on colic was the highest and on hyperkalemic periodic paralysis the lowest. The majority of veterinarians had not taken any recent equine nutrition continuing education, mainly owing to lack of courses available; however, the majority expressed an interest in taking future courses, particularly if offered online. Although the veterinary profession was considered to be an important source of equine nutrition information, almost one-quarter of veterinarians offered no equine nutrition counseling to their clients. More than two-thirds of veterinarians reported having no access to a referral equine nutrition service, but would be likely to use one if it were available. The results of this survey reveal equine nutrition perceptions and practices from an equine clinician perspective. Several areas of concern are highlighted, questioning the quality, responsibility, and provision of equine nutrition in Georgia, USA, and are suggestive of a far more wide-reaching problem, requiring further research.     

Sources and frequency of use of pet health information and level of confidence in information accuracy, as reported by owners visiting small animal veterinary practices

OBJECTIVE: To gain a better understanding of sources and frequency of use of pet health information accessed by owners and assess the level of confidence in information accuracy as reported by pet owners who visit their veterinarians. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 412 participants from 17 small animal veterinary clinics. PROCEDURES: Questionnaires pertaining to pet owners' habits related to pet health information (sources and frequency of their use and confidence in accuracy of information accessed) were distributed by front desk staff at 17 participating veterinary clinics. A cover letter was included with each survey that offered instructions for completion and assured respondents of their anonymity. All completed surveys were placed in an envelope and returned to the researchers for analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that pet owners who visited their veterinarians acquired pet information from veterinarians via the telephone or in person and from family or friends more frequently than they acquired such information from the World Wide Web. Pet owners also reported more confidence in information received from veterinarians (in person and via telephone conversations), compared with information from any other accessible source. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of Web sites by owners as sources of pet health information will undoubtedly continue to grow. Veterinarians can play a more proactive role in helping pet owners to access reliable Web sites that provide useful pet health information, thereby providing a benefit to all parties.     

Future directions in training veterinarians for companion avian species

Companion avian medicine has become a routine part of veterinary practice. More than 16 million companion birds are owned by approximately 6.4 million US households. This report outlines suggested undergraduate veterinary curricula, opportunities for post-graduate education, and options for training avian veterinarians.