Beliefs, attitudes and self-efficacy of australian veterinary students regarding one health and zoonosis management

Ihab Habib, Lucinda Lam, Hamid Reza Sodagari, Pete Irons, Mieghan Bruce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the beliefs and attitudes of a group of senior veterinary students regarding One Health and to evaluate their levels of confidence in advising the general public on preventative health issues at the human–animal interface. An online survey was communicated to senior veterinary students who were in their last two years of study. The questionnaire covered beliefs and attitudes, issues concerning the animal–human interface and participants’ confidence in diagnosing zoonoses. In total, 175 students from five Australian veterinary schools/colleges completed the online survey. The majority (96%) of students considered it their duty to promote the One Health approach, but only 36% believed there were sufficient practical frameworks for Australian veterinarian graduates to promote One Health. Interestingly, 81% (142/175) of respondents believed that veterinarians were more knowledgeable than physicians in managing zoonotic cases. Of the final-year students (n = 77), only 39% and 36% were confident in their ability to diagnose zoonoses in common companion animals and production animals, respectively. However, the number of those confident to diagnose zoonoses transmitted from wildlife was notably lower (22% (17/77)). Next-generation Australian veterinarians are keen to embrace their role in interprofessional collaboration; however, training efforts are required to reassure future veterinarians on aspects of zoonoses and One Health.

Original languageEnglish
Article number544
JournalAnimals
Volume9
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • Australia
  • Interprofessional collaboration
  • One Health
  • Preventive veterinary medicine
  • Veterinary public health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • General Veterinary

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Beliefs, attitudes and self-efficacy of australian veterinary students regarding one health and zoonosis management'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this