Dr Angela Willemsen1, Associate Professor Rowland Cobbold3, Associate Professor Justine Gibson3, Dr Kathryn Wilks2,4, Professor Simon Reid2
1The Clean Vet, Brisbane, Australia, 2School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Australia, 3School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia, 4Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Australia
Biography:
Angela, The Clean Vet, is a veterinarian who has an interest in zoonotic and infectious diseases and provides palliative/end of life care to pets at home. A goal is to improve IPC in all veterinary settings. In collaboration with ACIPC, she has developed a veterinary specific IPC course – thought to be the first of its kind. Angela’s drive to undertake a PhD in veterinary IPC evolved from her first career as a Registered Nurse to that of a veterinarian. As a veterinary IPC specialist, her experience enables her to provide pragmatic and contextual advice to clinicians and practice owners.
Abstract:
Introduction
The veterinary profession needs to better understand and implement IPC to meet its obligations under the National Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan, and to manage zoonotic disease risk. A 2017 study of Australian small animal veterinary staff found that IPC knowledge and practice was poor with responsibility delegated to veterinary nurses whose greater knowledge was gained during their vocational training. It is unclear whether the knowledge gap among veterinarians is due to a curriculum gap or a decline in knowledge over time. This is exacerbated by a culture of indifference and perceived self-efficacy.
Methods
This project aimed to determine IPC knowledge amongst final year veterinary science/technician students in Australia and New Zealand. An online survey was conducted to collect data on IPC behaviours, risk assessment practices and provision of zoonotic advice to clients.
Results
A total of 56 students responded with only 62% reporting they learned IPC principles as a component of their undergraduate degree. Overall, students had an average knowledge of IPC with a bias towards practices associated with PPE use and sterile technique. Almost half of the respondents 24 (43%) reported they advised owners on how to protect themselves from zoonotic disease.
Conclusion
The perception that medical practitioners are not adequately informed drives vets to provide advice to clients on zoonotic disease risk management. This is problematic because vets are prevented, by law, from providing human health advice. It is interesting that despite providing zoonotic advice to clients, vets continue to perform behaviours that put themselves at risk.