Factors influencing veterinary surgeons’ decision‐making about dairy cattle vaccination

Abstract

The use of vaccines in the cattle industry is widespread; however, there is limited published guidance for use by decision-makers such as farmers and vets. To best support vets in advising dairy farmers on the optimisation of vaccination strategies, it is important to understand how and why vets make decisions about recommending the vaccination of cattle. The objective of this study was to explore in-depth farm animal vets' motivators and barriers to the implementation of vaccination strategies on British dairy farms. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 vets. Results indicated that vets have a positive attitude towards the use of vaccination and have few barriers to advising its implementation. Vets appear to group farmers into three 'character types'. This characterisation influences the vet-farmer relationship and how the vet communicates with the farmer. Vets required evidence of disease or a risk of disease as a motivator to advise vaccination. However, this seemed to be sometimes overruled by a risk-averse attitude; resulting in vaccination being advised 'just in case'. Crucially, the need for resources to support and build on the vet-farmer relationship is highlighted as an area requiring further exploration in order to optimise vaccination strategies on farm.

To change or not to change? Veterinarian and farmer perceptions of relational factors influencing the enactment of veterinary advice on dairy farms in the United Kingdom

“…However, as the interview process involved the discussion of all experiences over the course of a participant's lifetime -exploring interactions with both current and past herd veterinarians or clients in addition to experiences with wider members of practice, advisory and on-farm teams -the impact of the current veterinarian-farmer relationship was felt to have been mitigated to a reasonable extent (all participants had both good and bad experiences to recount and reflect on given this broad focus). Additionally, whilst it is not possible to rule out a geographical influence, the prominence of relational factors in wider research on veterinarian advisory services (Richens et al, 2016) suggests that factors in this study are of broad relevance and not stringently bound to geographical divides. As a result, the authors feel these results can still offer meaningful insight to practicing veterinarians.…”

“…Recent publications placing increased emphasis on the sociological, rather than behavioral, perspectives have offered some insight into the herd health advisory paradigm, indicating various 'human factors' implicit in the enactment of advice. For example, veterinarians report farmers' trust in veterinary knowledge and communication skills as important for implementation (Jansen, 2010), whilst the perceived role of the veterinarian, the relationship between veterinarian and farmer and the trust invested in this relationship combine to effect adoption of advice (Richens et al, 2016). However, existing qualitative F o r P e e r R e v i e w research tends to be driven by a specific disease or intervention focus, such as mastitis (Jansen, 2010) or vaccination (Richens et al, 2016), with no qualitative literature examining the veterinary advisory paradigm in and of itself.…”

Modeling Dynamic Human Behavioral Changes in Animal Disease Models: Challenges and Opportunities for Addressing Bias

“…Second, there seems to be large heterogeneity in veterinarians' advice and farmers' uptake of such advice. The former may be influenced by veterinarians' previous experience with specific measures (e.g., having positive or negative experiences with a specific vaccine), confidence in performing the intervention, knowledge of disease, and general attitudes toward disease ( 30 , 62 , 76 , 77 ). The latter may be influenced by relationship and trust developed between farmers and veterinarians, and it is known that veterinarians often provide an advice and treatment tailored to each farmer ( 62 , 78 ).…”

Update on infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

“…A trusting relationship and effective communication between vet and farmer is crucial to produce a realistic sustainable herd health plan with clear objectives. Allocating sufficient time and agreeing the local risks posed by BoHV‐1 are essential (Richens and others 2016). Given the widespread nature of the virus, the risk of infection is ever present, requiring vigilance especially when buying in cattle.…”