Veterinary Services'use of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases to prioritise interventions, monitor impact and develop critical competencies.

Attracting and sustaining investment in Veterinary Services and animal health programmes from national government budgets, development aid and grants, and philanthropic donors requires economic rationale using relevant, reliable and validated analytical approaches. The complex interwoven relationships between animal health, livestock husbandry systems, national food security, global health security and environmental sustainability emphasise the importance of improving data governance and stewardship and applying economic analysis to understand animal disease burdens. These efforts should enable prioritised investment of limited resources and effective monitoring of the impact of programmes over time. Data governance and stewardship capacities are fundamental to development, implementation and performance monitoring of evidence-based policies in animal health. There are challenges in data availability for national and subnational livestock populations in different sectors, for disease incidence and prevalence, and for animal health expenditure in support of optimised allocation of scarce resources, be they finance, land, labour, or management attention and policy focus. Animal health data systems governance and stewardship and economic analysis are core skills for Veterinary Services in developing and applying evidence-based policy, but capability probably varies among World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Members. The WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services programme has several critical competencies that are relevant to economics of animal health and to data governance and stewardship, but these have not yet been targeted for coordinated capacity development. Implementation of publicâ€"private partnership approaches for animal health programmes creates increasing expectations of robust data and methods for prioritisation, options analysis, and assessing impacts and costs. Experience and examples from national systems in New Zealand, Australia, Ethiopia and Indonesia illustrate current challenges associated with prioritisation of animal health programmes using economic analysis. The Global Burden of Animal Diseases programme intends to support WOAH Members and partners to develop capacities for and standardise approaches to economic analysis and prioritisation in animal health programmes.

Les investissements dans les Services vétérinaires et dans les programmes de santé animale à partir des budgets publics nationaux, des aides et subventions au développement et des fonds alloués par des donateurs philanthropiques peuvent être encouragés et pérennisés au moyen d'une argumentation économique solide fondée sur des méthodes analytiques pertinentes, fiables et validées. La complexité et l'imbrication des relations entre la santé animale, les systèmes d'élevage, la sécurité de l'approvisionnement alimentaire à l'échelle nationale, la sécurité sanitaire mondiale et la durabilité environnementale imposent d'améliorer la gouvernance et la gestion des données et de recourir à des analyses économiques pour mieux comprendre l'impact des maladies animales. Ces efforts devraient permettre de définir les investissements prioritaires dans un contexte de ressources limitées et d'assurer un suivi efficace de l'impact des programmes dans le temps. L'existence de capacités de gouvernance et de gestion des données est donc une condition essentielle pour concevoir et mettre en oeuvre des politiques de santé animale fondées sur des données factuelles et pour suivre leurs performances. Les données disponibles sur les populations d'animaux d'élevage des différentes filières aux niveaux national ou infranational, sur l'incidence et la prévalence des maladies ou sur les dépenses de santé animale sont parfois insuffisantes pour étayer une utilisation optimale de ressources limitées, qu'il s'agisse de moyens financiers, des terres, de la main-d'oeuvre, voire des efforts de gestion ou de la volonté politique. La gouvernance et la gestion des systèmes de données de santé animale et la conduite d'analyses économiques sont des compétences cruciales des Services vétérinaires, que ceux-ci mobilisent pour concevoir et mettre en oeuvre des politiques fondées sur des données factuelles ; il est néanmoins peu probable que ces capacités soient d'un niveau homogène parmi tous les Membres de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OMSA). Le Processus d'évaluation de la Performance des Services vétérinaires mis en place par l'OMSA définit un certain nombre de compétences critiques dans le domaine de l'économie de la santé animale et de la gouvernance et gestion des données, mais ces compétences n'ont pas encore été intégrées dans un effort coordonné de renforcement des capacités. Les stratégies consistant à confier la mise en oeuvre de programmes de santé animale à des partenariats public-privé suscitent des besoins accrus en données et en méthodes robustes pour l'établissement des priorités, l'analyse des options et l'évaluation des impacts et des coûts. Les auteurs mentionnent les expériences et exemples de systèmes nationaux en Nouvelle-Zélande, en Australie, en Ethiopie et en Indonésie pour illustrer les enjeux actuels liés à l'utilisation des analyses économiques pour définir les priorités des programmes de santé animale. Le programme " Impact mondial des maladies animales " vise à aider les Membres et les partenaires de l'OMSA à renforcer leurs capacités dans le domaine de l'analyse économique et de la définition des priorités des programmes de santé animale et à normaliser leurs approches en la matière.

Para atraer y mantener las inversiones en los Servicios Veterinarios y los programas de sanidad animal procedentes de los presupuestos de los gobiernos nacionales, la ayuda para el desarrollo y las subvenciones, así como de donantes filántropos, se requiere un razonamiento económico en el que se utilicen enfoques analíticos pertinentes, fiables y validados. Las complejas relaciones entre la sanidad animal, los sistemas de ganadería, la seguridad alimentaria nacional, la seguridad sanitaria mundial y la sostenibilidad ambiental ponen de relieve la importancia de mejorar la gobernanza y la gestión de datos y de aplicar el análisis económico para comprender el impacto de las enfermedades animales. Estos esfuerzos deberían permitir establecer prioridades para la inversión de los limitados recursos y realizar un seguimiento eficaz de las repercusiones de los programas a lo largo del tiempo. Las capacidades de gobernanza y gestión de datos son fundamentales para el desarrollo y la implementación de políticas de sanidad animal con una base empírica y para el seguimiento de sus resultados. Existen dificultades en cuanto a la disponibilidad de datos sobre las cabañas ganaderas nacionales y subnacionales de los distintos sectores, la incidencia y prevalencia de las enfermedades y el gasto en sanidad animal que plantean problemas a la hora de optimizar la asignación de unos recursos que son escasos, ya sean los recursos financieros, las tierras, la mano de obra o la atención a la gestión y la orientación de las políticas. La gobernanza y la gestión de los sistemas de datos zoosanitarios y el análisis económico son competencias esenciales para que los Servicios Veterinarios elaboren y apliquen políticas con base empírica, pero es probable que la capacidad varíe entre los Miembros de la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OMSA). El Proceso de Prestaciones de los Servicios Veterinarios de la OMSA abarca varias competencias esenciales que son relevantes para la economía de la sanidad animal y para la gobernanza y la gestión de datos, pero que aún no han sido objeto de actividades coordinadas de desarrollo de capacidades. La aplicación de enfoques de asociación público-privada para los programas de sanidad animal aumenta aún más las expectativas de datos y métodos sólidos para el establecimiento de prioridades, el análisis de opciones y la evaluación de las repercusiones y los costos. La experiencia y los ejemplos de los sistemas nacionales de Nueva Zelanda, Australia, Etiopía e Indonesia ilustran los retos actuales asociados al establecimiento de prioridades en los programas de sanidad animal mediante el análisis económico. El programa sobre el impacto global de las enfermedades animales pretende ayudar a los Miembros y socios de la OMSA a desarrollar capacidades y armonizar enfoques para el análisis económico y el establecimiento de prioridades en los programas de sanidad animal.

A delay in entering invoice charges is associated with a decrease in total invoice amount in equine practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship in equine practice between the time delay for charge entry (time between when work was performed and when the invoice charges were entered) and the total amount of the invoice. SAMPLE: A total of 67,597 invoices from 3 hospitals were included for analysis. METHODS: Analysis of 67,597 invoices from 49 doctors working out of 3 hospitals was performed. Variables collected included invoice total, date of work, date of invoice entry, month of work, invoice category (A = ambulatory daytime, E = after-hours, I = hospital), and veterinarian. Time delay to invoice entry was the difference between the day of work and the day of charge entry. A generalized additive model was used to describe the relationship between the time delay for invoice entry and the invoice type, month of work, and invoice category. The best model was selected using the Akaike information criterion. RESULTS: In the selected model, total invoice amount was associated with time delay for charge entry and invoice category. Invoices entered on the same day of work were 299 ± $345, as compared to those entered the next day (255 ± $271) and those entered > 1 day after the work was performed (193 ± $196; P < .0001). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: If the observed relationship between time delay (time between work performed and invoice entry) and total invoice amount is causal, equine practitioners may have significant opportunity to improve revenues by simply entering charges on the same day the work is performed.

Building Value for Veterinary Practice Sale.

This article provides an overview of the factors that lead to veterinary practice value. People do not enter veterinary medicine with the primary goals of owning and operating a small business. However, those who spend their careers in private practice may start or purchase a veterinary practice. To maximize value, the business must be profitable and carry as little risk to a potential buyer as possible. This article discusses the adjustments a professional valuation analyst is likely to make to calculate profits, the elements that measure risk, and how to mitigate that risk to increase value.

What are the risks of clinic-backed payment plans?

The purpose of this viewpoint is to discuss the risks associated with offering clinic-backed payment plans, with a particular focus on financial risks. We provide a financial calculator tool that clinics can use with their financial information to make more informed decisions about whether implementing clinic-backed payment plans are viable for them. Realistic but hypothetical financial information for a clinic is used to simulate financial evaluations, including cash flow budget analysis, multivariate sensitivity analysis, and risk assessment to help clinics better understand these evaluations. Our simulations show that even under high default rates, the revenue benefits outweigh the labor costs and could bring higher profitability to clinics while increasing access to care for clients and patients.

The Economics of Small Animal Veterinary Practice.

Recent economic cycles and unique factors like the COVID-19 pandemic have all affected small animal veterinary practice, changing both demand and supply-side factors. One-time events exacerbated cyclical macroeconomic factors, increasing the highs and worsening the lows. Behind the perceived labor shortage, the mental health concerns, and the challenges of staff turnover in the profession's daily work to meet client expectations and provide the best possible medical care lurks a productivity problem. The good news is that veterinary practices can take steps to improve productivity and resilience in the face of these challenging trends.

Cost of Care, Access to Care, and Payment Options in Veterinary Practice.

Accessing veterinary care is increasingly challenging for US pet families. Although there are many contributing factors, the cost of care presents the greatest challenge. This article explores the ways in which payment options, a spectrum of care approach, and the stratification of care might improve access to care.

Veterinary Practice Profitability: You Have to Measure It to Manage It.

There are many actions a practice can take to improve its profitability but the management team must first know what the profitability of the practice actually is. Fortunately, there are multiple resources available to practice owners and managers to get this information. Understanding not only the profitability of the practice but the kinds of factors that lead to this state is critical. Until the practice has an idea of the root causes of the problem, it is difficult to determine what the correct solution is. Fortunately, there are also many resources available to help a practice change and improve.

11 years of regular access to subsidized veterinary services is associated with improved dog health and welfare in remote northern communities.

Access to veterinary services can have positive impacts on animal health and welfare, and on human mental and physical health and well-being; however, many communities worldwide lack access to such services. At their request, the 5 communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada, have received annual access to preventive veterinary services through the University of Calgary's Northern Community Health Rotation since 2008. To determine the reach of the program, we conducted a dog census in 2017. We then conducted a chart review of 11 years of dog medical records from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate how the reach of the program, the uptake of veterinary services, and dog population demographics, health and welfare measures changed over the duration of the program. In the chart review, we used either multi-level logistic regression or generalized linear models, to determine how seven variables, including age, sex, breed, body condition, deworming, vaccination, and sterilization status upon clinic entry, changed over the course of program delivery. Our results suggest that program reach, veterinary service uptake, and dog demographic, health and welfare measures improved over time. We observed high rabies vaccination coverage in some communities (48 %-83 % of the dog population) and moderate overall sterilization status (25 %-56 % of the dog population) with female dog sterilization more common than male (75 % of dogs leaving the 2017 clinics, compared to 43 %). Several dog demographic, health, and welfare measures, including age, body condition, and vaccination, deworming, and sterilization status, were significantly better in later years of the program (all p < 0.001). Differences among communities, both in dog population numbers from the 2017 census (40-89 dogs) and in the uptake of veterinary services in 2017 (48 %-83 % of the dog population), were notable. Vaccination uptake was directly related to clinic attendance, but sterilization was impacted by additional factors, including community members' acceptance of the procedure. Some unintended consequences were noted, however, including the potential effect of sterilization on the availability of traditional dog breeds in the communities. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that subsidized veterinary services provided over a regular and extended period of time benefit animal population demographics, health and welfare, and could have positive impacts on human well-being. The framework of community collaboration and long-term commitment developed through this program serves as a model for achieving common health goals among communities in need and veterinary service providers.

Estimating antimicrobial usage based on sales to beef and dairy farms from UK veterinary practices.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of antimicrobial use (AMU) is important in assessing reduction of agricultural AMU. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate several approaches for estimating AMU at the herd level and to report on AMU for beef and dairy farms in Scotland. METHODS: Pharmaceutical sales data for 75 cattle herds (2011-2015) were screened for antimicrobial products and aggregated by herd and year. Several denominators for usage estimates were calculated and compared for their suitability at the herd level. RESULTS: The median total mass of active ingredient sold per kg of bovine livestock was 9.5 mg/kg for beef herds and 14.3 mg/kg for dairy herds. The 'highest priority critically important' antimicrobials (HPCIA) were by total mass of active ingredient, 10.6% of all sales; by total defined daily dose veterinary (DDDVet), 29.8% and by DCDvet, 20.0%. These are the first estimates of AMU for beef cattle in the UK, and for cattle of any kind in Scotland. Estimates of herd-level usage based on population correction unit (PCU) were sensitive to low values for PCU for specific herd-years due to their demographic composition. CONCLUSION: Pharmaceutical sales data can provide useful estimates of AMU, but estimating usage per PCU is not appropriate for comparing groups of cattle with different demographic compositions or for setting herd-level targets. Total mass of active ingredient per kilogram of livestock is more stable and hence suitable than PCU-based methods for assessing AMU at the herd level.