One Health research and training in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Purpose of the reviewThis review was performed to create a repository of information on One Health research and training in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). The review sought to determine 1) how many training activities there are in ANZ, 2) how much research on zoonotic diseases is undertaken by multidisciplinary teams, and 3) how collaborative and integrated they are.Recent findingsThere are few opportunities for training in One Health in ANZ. The majority require enrolment in a postgraduate degree programme, and there is only one postgraduate level course that is also available for continuing professional development (CPD). Of the broad range of One Health research performed in ANZ, the majority is performed by teams with limited disciplinary diversity, although diversity is improving.SummaryProgress has been made in building collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health professions. However, the lack of clearly defined competencies and agreed purpose for One Health may be impeding collaboration.

Checklist for One Health Epidemiological Reporting of Evidence (COHERE)

“…Adoption of One Health approaches is growing, driven in part by the inherent integration of diverse disciplines and in part through the emergence of financial and resource support for policy and program initiatives, educational programs, and research [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] . However, such growth may be constrained by the preferences of journal editors, boundaries on resources, lack of sustainable government commitment, and a paucity of international educational opportunities [5] , [17] , [18] , [20] , [21] , [22] . As One Health re-emerges as a top priority for those involved in the mitigation of diseases and promotion of wellness, it is important to recognize the challenges faced by those who work collaboratively to integrate the knowledge of multiple disciplines.…”

Developing a Global One Health Workforce: The “Rx One Health Summer Institute” Approach

“…In medical schools, international clinical rotations have been associated with a deeper appreciation for global public health issues and cross-cultural competencies; yet still relatively few (24%) US medical students participate in global health experiences, and this number has been on the decline (Drain et al 2007 ; AAMC 2019 ). There remains a scarcity of meaningful international opportunities and even fewer comprehensive OH training opportunities (Davis et al 2017 ; Mazet et al 2006 ; Reid et al 2016 ; Rwego et al 2016 ; Sikkema and Koopmans 2016 ; Wu et al 2016 ). Few training programs in the USA or around the world offer capacity strengthening programs that are truly interdisciplinary, especially in “hotspot” regions for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases like East and Central Africa (Amuguni et al 2017 ).…”

Beliefs, Attitudes and Self-Efficacy of Australian Veterinary Students Regarding One Health and Zoonosis Management

“…The positive reception towards the topic highlighted in the present survey reflects that the undergraduate curriculum provides a natural venue to prepare future veterinarians for applying the One Health approach after they graduate. One Health is a relatively new topic in Australian universities and has been delivered mainly through the efforts of several veterinary schools in recent years [8]. Veterinary medicine education in Australia provides a positive model at both the academic and professional level to actively go beyond its professionally protected comfort zone of licensing to build operational collaboration with other public health disciplines and sectors involved in the development of One Health at both national and international levels.…”

“…Recognising the value of the One Health approach and the need for training future One Health task forces, Australian universities have started incorporating the topic of One Health in their curricula. In total, eight formal academic offerings and one standalone training workshop in One Health and EcoHealth were identified in Australian universities [8]. The majority of courses that provide credit towards a degree are offered in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in veterinary schools.…”

“…Additionally, the training activities identified in Australian universities are based on different curricula and pedagogies depending on the disciplinary focus of the lead academic unit. Aside from degrees in veterinary schools, there was only one bachelor’s degree program and one intensive course in health faculties offering academic units in One Health [8]. Given that training is largely provided within restricted disciplinary boundaries, this presents a challenge for the development of One Health professionals.…”