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Marquez DR, Agnew J, Barnett DJ, Davis MF, Dalton KR. Assessing US Small Animal Veterinary Clinic Adaptations and Their Impacts on Workforce COVID-19 Preparedness and Response. Health Secur 2023; 21:450-458. [PMID: 37971808 PMCID: PMC10777815 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2023.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Veterinary personnel are an essential yet often underappreciated workforce, critical for zoonotic disease prevention and response efforts that impact human health. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, the veterinary workforce supported emergency responses by promoting zoonotic disease risk communication, sharing animal health expertise, and boosting laboratory surge capacity against SARS-CoV-2 in animals and people. However, small animal veterinary workers (SAVWs), similar to healthcare workers, faced organizational challenges in providing clinical care to family pets, including those susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 1,204 SAVWs in the United States to assess veterinary clinic adaptations and their associations with SAVWs' self-perceived readiness, willingness, and ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as a workforce. SAVWs who worked fewer hours than before the pandemic (ready, OR 0.59; willing, OR 0.66; able, OR 0.52) or used personal protective equipment less frequently for protection in the clinic (ready, OR 0.69; willing, OR 0.69; able, OR 0.64) felt less ready, willing, and able to respond to COVID-19. SAVWs working remotely felt less ready (OR 0.46) but not less willing or able to respond to COVID-19. Lastly, SAVWs with dependents felt less ready (OR 0.67) and able (OR 0.49) to respond to COVID-19 than SAVWs without dependents. Our findings highlight the importance of proactively managing work schedules, having access to personal protective equipment, and addressing caregiving concerns to enhance SAVW preparedness and response outcomes. SAVWs are knowledgeable, motivated personnel who should be integrated into local public health emergency preparedness and response plans, supporting a One Health framework that unites multidisciplinary teams to respond to future zoonotic disease threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Marquez
- David R. Marquez, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- David Marquez is also a Veterinary Preventive Medicine Officer, US Army Veterinary Corps, Medical Center of Excellence, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX
| | - Jacqueline Agnew
- Jacqueline Agnew, MPH, PhD, is a Professor Emeritus, in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Daniel J. Barnett
- Daniel J. Barnett, MD, MPH, in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Meghan F. Davis, DVM, MPH, PhD, are Associate Professors, in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kathryn R. Dalton
- Kathryn R. Dalton, DVM, PhD, MPH, is an IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
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Pimentel LC, May AC, Iskander JK, Banks RE, Gibbins JD. Assessment of One Health Knowledge, Animal Welfare Implications, and Emergency Preparedness Considerations for Effective Public Health Response. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:964-971. [PMID: 34546829 PMCID: PMC9379851 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211047234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Information on knowledge of public health professionals about health aspects of the human-animal interface, referred to as One Health, is limited. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with animal welfare attitudes, practices, and One Health awareness among US Public Health Service (USPHS) officers to assess preparedness for public health response. METHODS USPHS officers participated in an online, self-administered survey from February 15 through March 2, 2018. A total of 1133 of 6474 (17.5%) USPHS officers responded. We collected information on officers' demographic characteristics, animal welfare attitudes and practices, volunteer and work exposure to animals, and One Health knowledge. We compared (1) One Health knowledge and animal work exposure (deployment, regular assignment, or none) and (2) animal welfare importance and animal work exposure. To adjust for demographic characteristics associated with One Health knowledge, we used multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS One-third of nonveterinary officers reported encountering animals during deployment, and 65% reported that animal welfare was very or extremely important. We found no difference in One Health knowledge between nonveterinary officers who participated in deployments involving animals and nonveterinary officers who had no work exposure to animals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.71-1.75). Nonveterinary officers who participated in animal-related public health activities during regular assignment were more likely to have One Health knowledge than nonveterinary officers who had no work exposure to animals (aOR = 7.88; 95% CI, 5.36-11.59). CONCLUSIONS One Health knowledge and awareness should be further explored in the current US public health workforce to identify training needs for emergency preparedness and other collaborative opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda C. Pimentel
- Office of Laboratory Science and Safety, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia C. May
- Current address: College of Public Health, University of
Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - John K. Iskander
- Current address: US Coast Guard, US Department of Homeland
Security, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ronald E. Banks
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma
City, OK, USA
| | - John D. Gibbins
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Huston CL, Ebers KL. Assessing Disaster Preparedness and Educational Needs of Private Veterinary Practitioners in Mississippi. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION 2020; 47:230-238. [PMID: 31194634 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.0618-074r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The veterinary medical education system faces increasing challenges in educating students in the most current technologies while responding to changing community needs and expectations. Communities expect veterinarians to be involved in disaster management at some level. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of disaster preparedness and educational needs of veterinary practitioners in Mississippi. A survey was mailed to 706 practitioners to assess disaster plans, disaster training, and familiarity with disaster-related organizations. Forty-three percent of veterinarians had a clinic disaster plan. Veterinary practitioners who had experienced a disaster were more likely to have a personal plan (odds ratio [OR] = 4.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.47-8.37) and a clinic plan (OR = 4.11, 95% CI = 2.28-7.44) than those who had not. Veterinarians residing in Mississippi Gulf Coast counties were more likely to have a personal plan (OR = 3.62, 95% CI = 1.54-8.72) and a clinic plan (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.35-7.21) than were those residing in other areas. Only 17% of veterinarians had assistance agreements with other practices, and few veterinarians indicated having disaster education materials available for their clients. Twenty percent of respondents indicated having obtained formal disaster training, and more than two-thirds of respondents were interested in receiving disaster training, mostly in the form of online delivery. Results suggest that private veterinary practitioners have the desire and need to obtain disaster education. Providing opportunities for both veterinarians and veterinary students to obtain education in disaster management will result in better overall community disaster preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla L Huston
- Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
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Travers C, Degeling C, Rock M. Companion Animals in Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review of Scholarly Sources. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2017; 20:324-343. [PMID: 28494169 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2017.1322515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
During a disaster, people may make evacuation decisions based on their companion animal's welfare, therefore exposing themselves, their companion animals, and emergency responders to increased risk for injury or death. The loss and suffering of companion animals in disasters causes deep distress, diminishing people's capacity to rebuild their lives. This scoping review presents scholarly research studies and reviews relating to people and their companion animals in the context of disasters, with an aim of informing researchers, policymakers, and practitioners and providing direction for future research. Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, articles in scholarly journals from 2004 to 2014 are discussed. Analysis included 38 articles: 20 research studies, 12 reviews, and 6 editorials. Findings revealed 2 central themes: companion animals as a risk factor to human health and safety and companion animals being "at risk" themselves. An emerging theme was "responsibility": Who is responsible for companion animals in disasters and how? Understanding the implications of human-nonhuman animal relationships for disaster response and having a broader public consensus on what is owed to animals at times of emergency are important to community preparedness and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Travers
- a Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, School of Public Health , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Chris Degeling
- a Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, School of Public Health , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.,b The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Melanie Rock
- c Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta , Canada.,d Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta , Canada
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Methods of Instruction of the Incident Command System and Related Topics at US Veterinary Schools. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2014; 8:505-10. [DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2014.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThe Incident Command System (ICS) is an adaptable construct designed to streamline response efforts to a disaster or other incident. We aimed to examine the methods used to teach the ICS at US veterinary schools and to explore alternative and novel methods for instruction of this material.MethodsA total of 29 US accredited veterinary schools (as of February 2012) were surveyed, and 18 of the 29 schools responded.ResultsThe ICS and related topics were taught by both classroom methods and online instruction by most of the surveyed schools. Several of the schools used readily available Federal Emergency Management Agency and US Department of Agriculture resources to aid in instruction. Most schools used one course to teach the ICS, and some schools also used unique methods such as field exercises, drills, side-by-side training with disaster response teams, elective courses, extracurricular clubs, and externships to reinforce the ICS and related topics. Some of the surveyed institutions also utilized fourth-year clinical rotations and field deployments during actual disasters as a component of their ICS and emergency response curriculum.ConclusionThe ICS is being taught at some form at a significant number of US veterinary schools. Additional research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the teaching methods of the ICS in US veterinary schools. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;8:505-510)
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Wiedenheft AM, Traub-Dargatz JL, Gillette SC, O'Keefe GJ, Rao S, Salman MD. Knowledge base and effectiveness of online continuing education about foreign animal diseases for equine veterinarians. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION 2013; 40:69-75. [PMID: 23475415 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.0612-056r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two different methods of online education using the knowledge base of African horse sickness (AHS) among US equine veterinarians as a model. An e-mail was sent to US veterinary members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), inviting them to participate in a complementary online educational opportunity. We determined participants' baseline knowledge of AHS by their responses in an AHS case scenario. Participants were then randomly assigned to either a Webinar module or a text-formatted module, followed by an educational assessment quiz. Educational effectiveness was measured by considering the difference between the educational assessment quiz score and the baseline knowledge score. Of the 5,394 members from the AAEP list, 309 veterinarians agreed to participate, but only 211 completed the entire study. The median baseline knowledge score from the case scenario was 20 out of a perfect score of 100 points. The median assessment quiz score after the participants had access to the AHS educational material was 90, which was significantly higher than the baseline knowledge score (p=.01). Educational effectiveness in the module formats showed no significant difference (p=.81). Results from this study suggest that online education modules, once accessed, may improve participants' knowledge of veterinary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyson M Wiedenheft
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Levy JK, Lappin MR, Glaser AL, Birkenheuer AJ, Anderson TC, Edinboro CH. Prevalence of infectious diseases in cats and dogs rescued following Hurricane Katrina. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011; 238:311-7. [PMID: 21281213 DOI: 10.2460/javma.238.3.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of infectious diseases of animal and zoonotic importance in cats and dogs rescued and transferred from the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 414 dogs and 56 cats rescued and transferred from the Gulf Coast region within 4 months after the hurricane. PROCEDURES EDTA-anticoagulated blood and serum samples were tested via PCR and serologic assays for infectious diseases. RESULTS In dogs, prevalence was highest for anti-West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies (218/390 [55.9%]), Dirofilaria immitis antigen (195/400 [48.8%]), anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (92/366 [25.1%]), and hemotropic mycoplasma DNA (40/345 [11.9%]). The DNA of Bartonella spp, Ehrlichia spp, or Babesia spp or anti-canine influenza virus antibodies were identified in < 2% of dogs. In cats, prevalence was highest for antibodies against Bartonella spp and DNA of Bartonella spp combined (49/55 [89.1 %]), anti-T gondii antibodies (13/55 [23.6%]), hemotropic mycoplasma DNA (5/47 [10.6%]), anti-WNV antibodies (5/48 [10.4%]), D immitis antigen (4/50 [8.0%]), and anti-FIV antibodies (4/56 [7.1%]). A total of 308 (74.4%) dogs and 52 (92.9%) cats had evidence of previous or current vector-borne infections. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cats and dogs rescued from the disaster region had evidence of multiple infectious diseases. The dispersal of potentially infectious animals to other regions of North America where some infections were not typically found could have contributed to new geographic ranges for these organisms or to underdiagnosis in affected animals because of a low index of suspicion in regions with low disease prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie K Levy
- Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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Fowkes V, Ablah E, Oberle M, Sandrock C, Fleming P. Emergency Preparedness Education and Training for Health Professionals: A Blueprint for Future Action. Biosecur Bioterror 2010; 8:79-83. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2009.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Fowkes
- Virginia Fowkes, FNP, MHS, is Senior Research Scholar, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, and Evaluation Director, California Statewide AHEC Program, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno campus. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Preparedness, Wichita Workforce and Leadership Development Center, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita. Mark
| | - Elizabeth Ablah
- Virginia Fowkes, FNP, MHS, is Senior Research Scholar, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, and Evaluation Director, California Statewide AHEC Program, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno campus. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Preparedness, Wichita Workforce and Leadership Development Center, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita. Mark
| | - Mark Oberle
- Virginia Fowkes, FNP, MHS, is Senior Research Scholar, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, and Evaluation Director, California Statewide AHEC Program, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno campus. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Preparedness, Wichita Workforce and Leadership Development Center, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita. Mark
| | - Christian Sandrock
- Virginia Fowkes, FNP, MHS, is Senior Research Scholar, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, and Evaluation Director, California Statewide AHEC Program, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno campus. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Preparedness, Wichita Workforce and Leadership Development Center, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita. Mark
| | - Patricia Fleming
- Virginia Fowkes, FNP, MHS, is Senior Research Scholar, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, and Evaluation Director, California Statewide AHEC Program, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno campus. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Preparedness, Wichita Workforce and Leadership Development Center, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita. Mark
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