Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Factors influencing diagnostic sample submission by food animal veterinarians in Mississippi.
- Journal:
- Veterinaria italiana
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Robinson, Philip A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathobiology and Preventive Medicine · United States
Plain-English summary
A group of food animal veterinarians in Mississippi shared their thoughts on why they sometimes choose not to send samples to diagnostic labs for testing. They found that the cost of these tests was the biggest factor affecting their decision. The veterinarians also felt that their relationship with the labs was important for keeping both animals and people healthy, but they believed they could do more to help track diseases. The study suggests that improving cooperation between veterinarians and diagnostic labs is crucial for spotting new health threats. Overall, the research highlights the importance of working together to protect both animal and human health.
Abstract
A focus group was organised to gather information and opinions from food animal veterinarians in Mississippi regarding sample submission to diagnostic laboratories. The research found that a range of factors influence the veterinarian's decision regarding whether samples will be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory, with the cost of diagnostics as the key influence. The veterinarians believed that the relationship they had with diagnostic laboratories was important in the protection of public health, but they thought that their role in disease surveillance was under-utilised. More attention needs to be directed towards strengthening veterinary surveillance at ground level to ensure that emergent diseases are detected effectively by a partnership approach between veterinary practitioners in the field and diagnosticians in diagnostic laboratories. This partnership is a vital component of the 'One Health' concept for the protection of both animal and human health. This study demonstrates that qualitative social science methodologies, such as focus groups, can usefully be applied to topics of relevance to veterinary public health.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22485000/