A Focused Ethnographic Study of Alberta Cattle Veterinarians’ Decision Making about Diagnostic Laboratory Submissions and Perceptions of Surveillance Programs

Abstract

The animal and public health communities need to address the challenge posed by zoonotic emerging infectious diseases. To minimize the impacts of future events, animal disease surveillance will need to enable prompt event detection and response. Diagnostic laboratory-based surveillance systems targeting domestic animals depend in large part on private veterinarians to submit samples from cases to a laboratory. In contexts where pre-diagnostic laboratory surveillance systems have been implemented, this group of veterinarians is often asked to input data. This scenario holds true in Alberta where private cattle veterinarians have been asked to participate in the Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network-Veterinary Practice Surveillance, a platform to which pre-diagnostic disease and non-disease case data are submitted. Consequently, understanding the factors that influence these veterinarians to submit cases to a laboratory and the complex of factors that affect their participation in surveillance programs is foundational to interpreting disease patterns reported by laboratories and engaging veterinarians in surveillance. A focused ethnographic study was conducted with ten cattle veterinarians in Alberta. Individual in-depth interviews with participants were recorded and transcribed to enable thematic analysis. Laboratory submissions were biased toward outbreaks of unknown cause, cases with unusual mortality rates, and issues with potential herd-level implications. Decreasing cattle value and government support for laboratory testing have contributed to fewer submissions over time. Participants were willing participants in surveillance, though government support and collaboration were necessary. Changes in the beef industry and veterinary profession, as well as cattle producers themselves, present both challenges and opportunities in surveillance.

Integrating Novel Data Streams to Support Biosurveillance in Commercial Livestock Production Systems in Developed Countries: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Based on discussion from a focus group of practicing veterinarians, Robinson et al ( 53 ) found that the high costs associated with performing diagnostic tests deterred sample submission, although producers were more willing to submit samples if the veterinarian was unsure of the diagnosis, if the disease was having a significant economic impact, or if the problem was not resolving with empirical treatment. Similar findings have been reported elsewhere ( 51 , 54 ).…”

“…The population coverage of laboratory submission data can be influenced by practitioner perceptions and experience ( 51 ) as well as the financial and epidemiological state of the livestock industry ( 52 ). Based on discussion from a focus group of practicing veterinarians, Robinson et al ( 53 ) found that the high costs associated with performing diagnostic tests deterred sample submission, although producers were more willing to submit samples if the veterinarian was unsure of the diagnosis, if the disease was having a significant economic impact, or if the problem was not resolving with empirical treatment.…”

“…Much of the data collected within commercial livestock production systems is considered business sensitive by farmers and veterinarians. In countries without national herd and animal identification programs, there is often reluctance to share identifying farm information with regulatory authorities due to concerns over how the data will be shared and its potential to negatively impact business interests ( 51 , 70 ). A critical component to the overall success of biosurveillance systems is maintaining the trust of the data providers.…”

“…With the exception of a few Scandinavian countries, the participation of farmers and veterinarians in syndromic surveillance initiatives has typically been on a voluntary basis. For that reason, many pilot projects have provided incentives such as direct financial compensation ( 51 ) or credits toward laboratory diagnostic testing ( 36 ) as a means of encouraging participants to submit surveillance reports. Zurbrigg and Van den Borre, ( 36 ) demonstrated a significant increase in the timeliness of report submissions in the OFSP during the time period when participating veterinarians were reimbursed for conducting post-mortem examinations on-farm.…”

Evidence in Practice – A Pilot Study Leveraging Companion Animal and Equine Health Data from Primary Care Veterinary Clinics in New Zealand

“…Insights from the analysis of surveillance reports and participant feedback highlight important considerations for transitioning the pilot program to a sustainable large-scale and multi-species surveillance system. Other veterinary practitioner-based surveillance systems have used financial incentives such as laboratory testing credits (32) and direct financial compensation (41) to encourage user participation. Although this has been highlighted as an important incentive for some veterinarians (31), it may not be sustainable depending on long-term funding availability.…”