Perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among animal healthcare practitioners in South Africa.

The South African government recognises the value of traditional healing and supports an integrated healthcare system. In the veterinary field, successful integration depends on the perceptions of different animal healthcare practitioners (AHCPs). This study aimed to determine the perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among state-employed veterinarians and animal health technicians in the North West province. A mixed model questionnaire and non-probability sampling gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 53 participants. Statistical and thematic analysis processes were applied to quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Overall, 77.4% of participants were aware of ethnoveterinary medicine practices. Approval of the use of ethnoveterinary medicine by farmers was above-average at a mean of 3.57, standard deviation (s.d.) = 1.016 on a 5-point Likert scale. However, 65.9% doubted the effectiveness of ethnoveterinary medicine, which suggests tolerance but no appreciation of its value. The Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between district municipality of employment and awareness at χ2 = 17.490, df = 3, p = 0.001. Thematic analysis of comments showed that some participants perceived ethnoveterinary medicine as unscientific and interfering with Western veterinary medicine, while some considered it a good complement to Western veterinary medicine. The study also found that 20.8% of AHCPs use ethnoveterinary medicine to treat certain diseases. In conclusion, the lack of appreciation for ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs may hinder government-proposed integration, emphasising the need for programmes to improve perceptions among these stakeholders.Contribution: This is first such study to report on perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs, and assess their readiness for an integrated animal health system.

An incredible journey from veterinary nursing to human-animal bond researcher.

Sandra McCune volunteered at her local animal shelter aged 13 and, fascinated by dog and cat behaviour, she went on to become an RVN and then a leading researcher in the field of human-animal interactions.

Workplace stressor factors, profiles and the relationship to career stage in UK veterinarians, veterinary nurses and students.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary professionals experience higher psychological distress and lower wellbeing compared with the general population. Identifying workplace stressors is key to understanding and alleviating these difficulties. OBJECTIVE: Identify the severity of workplace stressors in veterinary professions across different levels of professional experience. METHOD: A cross-sectional quantitative design was utilised via administration of a veterinary stressor questionnaire that measured the severity of 93 generic and veterinary-specific workplace stressors. RESULTS: A total of 658 participants reported stressor severity score. Factor analysis revealed four main stressor categories: workload and job demands, client relations stress, performance and accountability, patient care challenges. An inverse relationship was found between experience level and stressor severity scores. Furthermore, the most severe stressors varied as a function of career stage. FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS: Stressor severity tends to decrease with increasing experience levels. Stressors can be categorised by theme and unique stressor profiles can be derived for practitioners according to experience level. This knowledge can assist in the design and delivery of workplace support initiatives. CONCLUSIONS: Identify key stressors across different levels of experience is important in focusing efforts to support people in the workplace.

Human nursing was a natural career progression from veterinary nursing.

Helen Ballantyne is a rarity in that she first qualified as a veterinary nurse and then followed her calling to train as a human-centred nurse, combining skills from both fields and finding a more fulfilling career path.

Understanding psychological outcomes following exposure to potentially morally injurious events in animal care: development of the Moral Distress-Posttraumatic Growth Scale for Veterinary Professionals.

AIMS: To generate a taxonomy of potentially morally injurious events (PMIE) encountered in veterinary care and develop an instrument to measure moral distress and posttraumatic growth following exposure to PMIE in the veterinary population. METHODS: Development and preliminary evaluation of the Moral Distress-Posttraumatic Growth Scale for Veterinary Professionals (MD-PTG-VP) employed data from veterinary professionals (veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians) from Australia and New Zealand across three phases: (1) item generation, (2) content validation, and (3) construct validation. In Phase 1 respondents (n = 46) were asked whether they had experienced any of six PMIE and to identify any PMIE not listed that they had experienced. In Phase 2 a different group of respondents (n = 11) assessed a list of 10 PMIE for relevance, clarity and appropriateness. In Phase 3 the final instrument was tested with a third group of respondents (n = 104) who also completed the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), a measure of posttraumatic stress, and the Stress-Related Growth Scale-Short Form (SRGS-SF) a measure of perceived posttraumatic growth. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated between respondent scores on each of the MD-PTG-VP subscales, the SPRINT, and the SRGS-SF to assess construct validity. RESULTS: A 10-item taxonomy of PMIE encountered in veterinary care was generated in Phase 1. Items were deemed relevant, clear and appropriate by veterinary professionals in Phase 2. These were included in the developed instrument which measures frequency and impact of exposure to 10 PMIE, yielding three subscale scores (exposure frequency, moral distress, and posttraumatic growth). Assessment of construct validity by measuring correlation with SPRINT and SRGS-SF indicated satisfactory validity. CONCLUSIONS: The MD-PTG-VP provides an informative tool that can be employed to examine professionals' mental health and wellbeing following exposure to PMIE frequently encountered in animal care. Further evaluation is required to ascertain population norms and confirm score cut-offs that reflect clinical presentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Once fully validated this instrument may be useful to quantify the frequency and intensity of positive and negative aspects of PMIE exposure on veterinary professionals so that accurate population comparisons can be made and changes measured over time.

The need for recovery: An investigation into short-term work-related fatigue in veterinary nurses.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary nursing is physically and emotionally demanding, putting veterinary nurses at risk of acute work-related fatigue (AWRF). Despite the increased recognition of chronic occupational syndromes such as burnout and compassion fatigue in recent years, few studies have investigated how AWRF impacts individuals and the profession. METHODS: An anonymous survey open to all UK-based registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) was distributed via email and social media. The survey investigated work patterns, hobbies, opinions about work and intentions to leave the veterinary profession. An English translation of the need for recovery (NFR) scale was used to quantify the AWRF. RESULTS: The median NFR score from 387 responses was 81.8, indicating high levels of AWRF. Long shifts, sole-charge work and overtime were associated with higher scores, while having support at work and a better work-life balance were associated with lower scores. Higher scores were correlated with intentions to leave the profession. LIMITATIONS: Although validated as a measure of AWRF, the unidimensional NFR scale oversimplifies the complexities of fatigue. A limited number of RVNs responded to the survey, reducing statistical power. CONCLUSION: Although there is no single solution to staff turnover, the results from this survey suggest that addressing AWRF may improve retention of RVNs.

Horse owner perceptions of equine veterinary nursing roles in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Registered (equine) veterinary nurses (R(E)VNs) typically provide few client-facing services. Better utilising R(E)VN skills could help address workforce shortages, improve morale and benefit patient health. The aim of this study was to explore horse owner perceptions of R(E)VN roles. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey of horse owners gathered data on their understanding of R(E)VN roles, their experiences of R(E)VNs their openness to further R(E)VN services and perceived facilitators of and barriers to such services. Participants were recruited via practices, social media and snowball sampling. Descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and manifest content analysis of the qualitative data were conducted. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-seven useable responses were received. Eighty-one percent (282/347) had heard the term R(E)VN. Most talked positively about their experiences with R(E)VNs. Eighty-seven percent (285/326) were open to an R(E)VN visiting their horse under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, with more than 90% being extremely or somewhat comfortable with R(E)VN visits for bandaging and suture removal. LIMITATIONS: It is unclear how closely respondents' perceptions reflect those of the wider UK horse owner population. CONCLUSIONS: Horse owners appear to be open to further nursing services, with key procedures such as bandaging being a potential starting point. Understanding the career goals of the individual nurses and the needs of the practice will be key to the successful implementation of these services.

Mental health of veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that veterinarians around the world are at high risk of mental health problems, but far less research has examined the mental health of veterinary nurses (VNs) and student veterinary nurses (SVNs). This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence on this topic and identify knowledge gaps. METHODS: Literature searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were conducted, and a structured screening and selection procedure was applied. To be included, studies had to be peer reviewed, report relevant results specific to VNs and/or SVNs, and provide descriptive statistics if using quantitative methods. RESULTS: Of the 2118 publications identified, only 13 journal articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings were summarised in five categories: mental health and wellbeing, burnout, stress, compassion fatigue and moral distress. While the findings of five of the studies suggested that some VNs and SVNs experienced some form of poor mental health, these studies lacked generalisability or transferability for multiple reasons. There was also inconsistency and ambiguity in the interpretation of findings, as well as incompatible or oversimplified definitions of mental health problems. LIMITATIONS: Our review excluded grey literature, such as reports, theses and conference presentations, as a preliminary search found very little empirical research on VNs' and SVNs' mental health in this type of publication. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to address the gaps in the existing evidence supporting our understanding of VN and SVN mental health. This should establish baseline measures and include comparisons with other occupational and national populations.

Moral distress measurement in animal care workers: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The mental health of veterinary and other animal health professionals is significantly impacted by the psychological stressors they encounter, such as euthanasia, witnessing animal suffering and moral distress. Moral distress, initially identified in nursing, arises when individuals are aware of the right action but are hindered by institutional constraints. We aimed to review existing research on moral distress scales among animal care workers by focusing on the identification and psychometric validity of its measurement. DESIGN: Two-step systematic review. First, we identified all moral distress scales used in animal care research in the eligible original studies. Second, we evaluated their psychometric validity, emphasising content validity, which is a critical aspect of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This evaluation adhered to the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). The results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO to search for eligible studies published between January 1984 and April 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included original (primary) studies that (1) were conducted in animal care workers; (2) describing either the development of a moral distress scale, or validation of a moral distress scale in its original or modified version, to assess at least one of the psychometric properties mentioned in COSMIN guidelines. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers used standardised methods to search, screen and code included studies. We considered the following information relevant for extraction: study reference, name and reference of the moral distress scale used, psychometric properties assessed and methods and results of their assessments. The collected information was then summarised in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The review identified only one PROM specifically adapted for veterinary contexts: the Measure of Moral Distress for Animal Professionals (MMD-AP), derived from the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP). Both MMD-HP and MMD-AP were evaluated for the quality of development and content validity. The development quality of both measures was deemed doubtful. According to COSMIN, MMD-HP's content validity was rated as sufficient, whereas MMD-AP's was inconsistent. However, the evidence quality for both PROMs was rated low. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review focused on moral distress measurement in animal care workers. It shows that moral distress is rarely measured using standardised and evidence-based methods and that such methods should be developed and validated in the context of animal care. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023422259.

Exploring the sociocultural experiences of student veterinary nurses in the clinical learning environment through the lens of situated learning theory.

BACKGROUND: Student veterinary nurses (SVNs) complete significant time in clinical placements and this training can have a positive or negative impact on the development of professional skills and identity. METHODS: A cross-sectional design, using semi-structured interviews, explored 12 SVNs' experiences of clinical placements. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore each individual participant's experience, prior to the identification of themes across participants' experiences. RESULTS: Most students reported a sense of belonging within the practice team, which fostered engagement. Clinical supervisors were considered key role models and vital support for student progress. Students reported conflict between the demands of the practice and the requirements of their student status. Some poor interpersonal interactions led to reduced confidence. LIMITATIONS: The results may not reflect experiences of the diversity of student demographics, such as those students with protected characteristics, as described in the Equality Act 2010, who may encounter specific workplace challenges. CONCLUSION: To ensure parity and positive experiences, accredited educational institutes can plan regular engagement with student feedback and support of the training practice. Training practice teams can ensure they are meeting the student's needs and fostering a positive learning environment by adhering to the RCVS Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training, which will, in turn, benefit the whole team. Clinical supervisors can play a convening role in increasing belonging and participation within the clinical learning environment.

Suffering in silence.

Caring for research animals can take a severe mental toll. Is anyone listening?

Knowledge, attitude, and practice on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among the veterinarians and para-veterinarians in Bhutan.

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance is (AMR) an emerging global public health problem. Rationale use of antibiotic can prevent the rise of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice on antibiotic usage and AMR among the veterinarians and para-veterinarians in Bhutan. METHOD: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey among the veterinarians and para-veterinarians was conducted from June to July 2020. A score of one to the correct answers and zero for the wrong answers was allotted to each respondent answers. The total score was added and those who scored above the mean was categorized as having good knowledge and favourable attitude. RESULT: A total of 219 animal health workers participated in this study. The mean knowledge score was 12.05 ±1.74 with 38.8% of the respondents having good knowledge on antibiotic use and AMR. Similarly, the mean scores for the attitude level were 8.32±1.61 with 51% them having favorable attitude towards antibiotic usage and AMR. The mean practice score was 3.83±1.06 with 77% of them having good practices on antibiotic use. The respondents who read national plan on AMR were found to have good knowledge on antibiotics and AMR (AOR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.19-4.82). The female respondents (AOR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.01-4.61), respondents from the eastern region (AOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.18-5.44), west central (AOR: 3; 95% CI: 1.30-6.92), animal health supervisors (AOR: 9.77; 95% CI: 1.98-48.29), and livestock production supervisors (AOR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.21-6.35) have favorable attitude towards antibiotics and AMR. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified that most animal health workers in Bhutan had poor knowledge on antibiotics usage and AMR. Therefore, regular awareness education on antibiotics and AMR in the form of refresher course/training must be provided to the animal health workers in the country to avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Hand hygiene compliance in companion animal clinics and practices in Switzerland: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most important measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Data on HH compliance in companion animal veterinary institutions in Europe are sparse. METHODS: This observational study assessed HH according to WHO standards in three large and two medium-sized clinics and two primary care practices in Switzerland. Associations with HH indication, professional group, clinical area and institution were determined using a generalized linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: Based on 2056 observations, overall HH compliance [95% confidence interval] was 32% [30%-34%]. HH compliance was highest in the consultation area (41% [38%-45%]) and after contact to body fluids (45% [40%-50%]), and lowest in the pre-OR area (20% [15%-24%]) and before clean/aseptic procedures (12% [9%-15%]). Veterinarians showed a higher HH compliance (37% [34%-40%]) than veterinary nurses (25% [22%-28%]). HH compliance was lower before clean/aseptic procedures compared to all other indications (all p < 0.015 except 'before touching a patient' in medium-sized clinics/practices, p = 0.095) and higher in the consultation area compared to all other areas in large clinics (all p < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Effective HH training should urgently be promoted for all veterinary personnel with special emphasis on the importance of HH before clean/aseptic procedures.

Veterinary technology graduates' perceptions of their education and subsequent employment experiences.

AIMS: To describe the current employment status of Bachelor of Veterinary Technology (BVetTech) graduates in New Zealand, to assess how well they felt that their degree programme had prepared them for practice, and to explore their experiences in their current job roles. METHODS: All 195 individuals who completed the BVetTech degree at Massey University between 2011 and 2018 were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey regarding their education and employment experiences. Descriptive statistics were provided for all quantitative study variables and thematic analysis was performed on the free-text survey comments. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 125/195 (64.1%) BVetTech graduates. Of these, 96/125 (76.8%) were engaged in full-time or part-time veterinary work. The most common work environments were small animal practice (55/125; 44.0%) and mixed animal practice (19/125; 15.2%). The median reported annual salary was NZ$42,640 (mean $45,817; min $34,515; max $80,000) while the median reported hourly wage was NZ$20.00 (mean $21.01; min $17.70; max $27.00). Most respondents generally agreed with statements that their degree had prepared them well for different aspects of their subsequent work as veterinary technologists with "understanding the scientific rationale behind clinical decisions in practice" and "gaining hands-on practical experience that directly linked with their classroom learning" highlighted as being the best aspects of their education. However, respondents expressed the need for more training in client interactions and veterinary business management. Common themes that emerged when respondents were asked to describe the best things about their work were "forming relationships with animals, clients, and co-workers," "making a meaningful difference through their work," and "having opportunities to use and develop their skills" while the worst things about their job were "underutilisation of their skills," "poor pay in relation to their education and skill," and "compassion fatigue arising from dealing with euthanasia and difficult clients." Another common theme across free-text questions was the lack of employer awareness about the capabilities of a veterinary technologist. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Recent BVetTech graduates were generally satisfied with their educational experience, but perceived that employers underestimated the value of their training and consequently underutilised their skills. This highlights the need for additional research to better estimate the value of veterinary technologists to the New Zealand animal health industries as well as additional extension efforts to increase awareness amongst employers about the scope of responsibilities that veterinary technologists are legally able to perform in practice.

Taking the lead for veterinary nursing.

Earlier this year, after becoming chair of the RCVS veterinary nurses council, Matthew Rendle spoke to Josh Loeb about his career in nursing. This week, following a special celebration of vet nurses organised by the British Veterinary Nursing Association, we profile his story.

What is the make up of the vet professions today?

The RCVS last conducted a major demographic survey of the vet professions in 2014 and 2019. Georgina Mills analyses the main findings.

Cognitive Dissonance in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Implications for Animal Welfare.

People experience cognitive dissonance when they entertain 2 conflicting ideas at the same time. Cognitive dissonance may cause a negative emotional state, which can lead to engagement of compensation mechanisms to resolve the conflict. Here we describe a survey that explores cognitive dissonance in laboratory animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians and various ways in which veterinary staff manage dissonance associated with research animal use. Respondents-164 veterinarians and 145 veterinary technicians-were asked to rate their opinions of various statements on a sliding scale of 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree' or 'never' to 'always.' Statements assessed negative emotions (discomfort, powerlessness, frustration) and compensation mechanisms (devaluing, emotional distancing, shifting responsibility) as bases for inferring effects on welfare states of animals. Responses were evaluated overall and were compared according to level of training (veterinarian compared with veterinary technician), years of work experience (0 to 5, 6 to 10, greater than 10), and species tended (large, mixed, small species). Respondents strongly agreed that animal wellbeing and animal use in research were important. Respondents reported feelings of discomfort, powerlessness, and frustration associated with work. In addition, respondents reported feeling empowered to initiate changes affecting animal welfare. The most frequent compensation mechanism noted was shifting responsibility onto the IACUC and institutional rules. Devaluing the animals was another reported compensation mechanism. Responses to emotional distancing statements were divided. Survey responses supported the existence of cognitive dissonance associated with laboratory animal medicine. Potential negative and positive effects on animal welfare are discussed.