The Path to Public Practice – 3.0 Postgraduate course work or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the study

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[If you haven’t already done so, have a read of parts 1.0 and 2.0 – Guy]

So you’ve done your time in clinical practice and now you want to take the next step.

Many of us, including the team behind www.veterinarycareers.com.au, have gone into postgraduate study. The decision to undertake (yet again) more study is for a couple of reasons:

  1. To develop new skills – As professionals, we are constantly learning and we need to stay up to date with the latest studies and data out there.
  2. To have a formal qualification to enter into a new field – Many of the jobs out there require postgraduate training.
  3. To stay competitive – with the number of veterinary graduates out there, there is a need to get the step up that will improve your chances for employment.

So in the world of veterinary public practice, what courses are on offer out there?

I have had a scour around of Masters programs that are on offer in Australasia for veterinarians that are looking towards public practice. Many of these programs offer flexibility for part time study or even distance education.

Full disclosure, I am finishing off my Masters within one of these institutions. I, or the team from Veterinary Careers, do not get any kickbacks from any of these institutions (although, if any of them would like to advertise with us, point them towards this page)

The lists below is certainly not definitive, it seeks to act as a platform for further investigation and research. Unless stated, the list below is made up of primarily Masters programs from Australia and New Zealand. Some of these programs can be undertaken as a Graduate Certificate or Diploma. Additionally, I am primarily focussing on universities that have a Veterinary school or are recommended by veterinarians in public practice.

The University of Queensland (QLD)

  1. School of Veterinary Science
  2. School of Public Health

James Cook University (QLD)

  1. College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Science
    • Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
    • Master of Public Health – Generic; Communicable Disease Control; Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness
    • Master of Tropical Veterinary Science

The University of Sydney (NSW)

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Science
  2. School of Public Health

 

Charles Sturt University (NSW)

  1. The School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Australian National University (ACT)

  1. Research School of Population Health

The University of Melbourne (Vic)

  1. Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
  2. The School of Population and Global Health

Murdoch University (WA)

  1. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences

Massey University (NZ)

  1. The Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences
  2. The School of Public Health

I’d consider this list as the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is on offer out there – there are plenty of universities abroad that are offering similar courses.

Ultimately, the course you chose is dependent on what you would like to gain out of the training. I personally like the broad approach that I get in my Masters program that allows me to build my overall skills in veterinary public health, while there are others who would like to get into the meaty side of Epidemiology, Conservation Biology or Policy.

Each Masters program has its strengths and weaknesses. Many of the distance education programs are reliant on discussion board, peer-peer learning – there are benefits of such a system to allow space and opportunities for everyone to have a voice compared with a physical classroom, however for those of us who are extroverts, these online classrooms can be a curse.

Does one institute provide more opportunity than the other? Generally speaking – no. Some courses provide opportunities for placements or access to networks or researchers that may not be universal, yet there is no way to truly quantify between the institutions. The universities will market themselves to get you (and your money) enrolled, so I encourage that you do your homework:

  • What do you see yourself upskilling in?
  • Are you seeking a career in driving policy, field work, management or consultancy?
  • Look around at current jobs out there and see what the selection criteria are for required education and skill sets.
  • Will the course-work match in with my work/lifestyle?
  • Am I ready to give up my spare time for this?

I personally spent 6 months hunting around the different institutions and ultimately settled on a Master of Veterinary Public Health with The University of Sydney – it certainly has been a good fit for me for my lifestyle, yet I have friends who swear by many of the other coursework Masters out there.

Best of luck and stay tuned for the next in this series – in a title I have yet to figure out!

Vets urge Northern Ireland Assembly candidates to take ‘One Health’ action – Farming Life

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With campaigning for next month’s election (5 May) in full swing, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and BVA Northern Ireland Branch have launched a manifesto urging incoming parliamentarians to take action on animal health and welfare as part of a One Health government agenda.BVA’s ‘The veterinary profession’s manifesto for Northern Ireland 2016–2021’ was developed drawing on the expertise and experiences of BVA’s members working throughout Northern Ireland and in all areas of the veterinary profession, and makes clear recommendations in three key areas: safeguarding animal health, promoting animal welfare and recognising the vital role of veterinary surgeons.

“Delivering positive change for animal health and welfare requires partnership working – and the announcement last year that Northern Ireland had been granted Officially Brucellosis Free status is testament to the effectiveness of that joined up working between government, farmers and vets to eradicate the disease. And we must continue to work together to tackle other endemic diseases, and health and welfare issues like the breeding and sale of dogs.” Seamus O’Kane, President, BVA Northern Ireland Branch

The Northern Ireland manifesto sets out almost 20 policy recommendations that provide a clear pathway towards improving animal health and welfare, and challenges the next government to:

* Support vets and farmers in combating endemic livestock diseases, for example through the compulsory bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) testing scheme in Northern Ireland and the voluntary all-island control programme to tackle Johne’s disease.

* Protect the welfare of animals by requiring all animals to be stunned before slaughter to ensure they are insensible to pain: there is no non-stun slaughter currently carried out in Northern Ireland but, while non-stun is permitted under the EU derogation, the next government should introduce measures to label meat as stunned or non-stunned to allow consumers to make an informed choice.

* Review the outcomes of the Test and Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) project; moving towards a comprehensive programme to eradicate bovine TB that includes a regime of controls such as risk-based biosecurity measures, cattle controls, badger vaccination where appropriate and available, and the humane culling of badgers via cage trapping and shooting only.

* Increase collaboration and integration of the veterinary and medical professions to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.

* Ensure robust enforcement of existing legislation to tackle illegal import of puppies across borders due to the associations with disease, dog welfare and behavioural problems.

* Ban the keeping of primates as pets and the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, as their welfare needs cannot be met.

* Embrace partnership working between government and the veterinary profession, recognising the unique skills, knowledge and expertise of veterinary surgeons across animal health and welfare and public health.

BVA Northern Ireland Branch President Seamus O’Kane said: “Delivering positive change for animal health and welfare requires partnership working – and the announcement last year that Northern Ireland had been granted Officially Brucellosis Free status is testament to the effectiveness of that joined up working between government, farmers and vets to eradicate the disease. And we must continue to work together to tackle other endemic diseases, and health and welfare issues like the breeding and sale of dogs.

As vets, we carry out our roles for the public good and, as such, we are in a unique position from which to offer evidence-based and informed advice and policy recommendations. We are on the frontline caring for animals, detecting and treating disease, and undertaking pioneering research into animal and public health – and we look forward to working with the next government in Northern Ireland.”

BVA President Sean Wensley said: “Through our daily work, and these manifestos, we believe vets are in a unique position from which to offer the next government in Northern Ireland evidence-based advice and recommendations for animal health and welfare policy. The forthcoming elections affect us all and, as a nation that prides itself on high and continuously improving animal welfare standards, we urge the incoming government to put animal health and welfare on their agenda and champion the concept of One Health in recognition of the inextricable links between animals, humans and our shared living environment.” 

BVA’s manifesto will be sent to all candidates who are standing for election, relevant animal health and welfare government groups, BVA honorary associate MPs, Peers & MEPs, and Chief Veterinary Officer Robert Huey. Following the election, BVA will also share the document with newly elected Members.

For more information about BVA’s ‘The veterinary profession’s manifesto for Northern Ireland 2016–2021’, please visit http://www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Campaigns/Northern-Ireland-Assembly/.

Farming News
Read more: http://www.farminglife.com/news/farming-news/vets-urge-northern-ireland-assembly-candidates-to-take-one-health-action-1-7311699#ixzz452vxV0ub

Source: Vets urge Northern Ireland Assembly candidates to take ‘One Health’ action – Farming Life

Keep calm and respect your antibiotics

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Lets all take a deep breath and not go out of our way declaring the antibiotic-resistance apocalypse some media outlets would have us believe.

 

While the latest news regarding the appearance of colistin-resistant bacteria is of concern, with buzzwords such as “last resort” often thrown around, we should be cautious about how we take to this news.

The blog below provides some guiding words and helps put this news into perspective.

Regardless, how we use and engage with antibiotics should be at the forefront of any practitioner’s mind – human or animal. Client/patient education and expectations are sometimes a tough sell. I’ve had clients literally beg me in the waiting room for a “magical” antibiotic injection regardless of their animal suffering from a viral disease.

Additionally, while we have been great with creating government-level “One Health” lines of communication, we have to get better with communications at the grassroots level. As a practicing veterinarian in the trenches, I feel this is an area that is lacking and needs to be better engaged.

 

Source: Spread of antibiotic-resistance gene does not spell bacterial apocalypse — yet : Nature News & Comment – http://www.nature.com/news/spread-of-antibiotic-resistance-gene-does-not-spell-bacterial-apocalypse-yet-1.19037?WT.mc_id=FBK_NA_1512_NEWSTRENDWATCHANTIBACRESISTANCE_PORTFOLIO