Building an institutionalised in-service field epidemiology capacity-building program: Experiences and lessons learned from the China Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (CFETPV).

Abstract

The increasing threats of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases highlight the urgent need for a skilled veterinary epidemiology workforce. Before 2010, China had limited capacity in this field. To address this gap, the China Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (CFETPV) was established as a competency-based, in-service training program. This study assesses the contributions of CFETPV in enhancing epidemiology practice within animal health services, supporting alumni professional development, and enabling institutional integration in the government system. A quantitative study design was employed, drawing on two alumni surveys conducted in 2019 and 2024, alongside routine program monitoring, administrative data and program progress briefs. Surveys assessed alumni's application of epidemiological competencies in field study, teaching and policy engagement. Descriptive analyses summarised alumni profiles and contributions. Since 2010, CFETPV has trained 265 professionals through its introductory course and graduated 153 from the two-year program across 31 provinces. Trainees completed 305 field practices during the training. After graduation, alumni conducted 730 epidemiological investigations and studies, contributed to 297 risk assessments, supported major disease control efforts and informed 98 national and provincial guidelines. In 2019, CFETPV became fully funded by the Chinese government, achieving full integration into the national veterinary service. The successful integration was supported by an adaptive competency framework aligned with national priorities, strong alumni support, robust local trainer and mentor networks and consistent stakeholder engagement. These experiences offer insights for countries developing competency-based, in-service veterinary epidemiology training embedded within public veterinary services to strengthen animal health systems and One Health capacity.