One Health as a Core Component of Veterinary Medicine: Defining Day-1 Public Health Competencies for the Veterinary Workforce

Abstract

Animal health and veterinary medicine are integral to One Health, contributing important perspectives on complex challenges arising at the human–animal–environment interface. The published Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) framework dedicates a domain of competence and three associated sub-competencies to public health (Domain 4). However, a panel of One Health scientists sought to establish additional outcomes believed necessary to support core veterinary curricula related to veterinary public health (VPH)/One Health. We hypothesized that early career veterinarians use knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with VPH/One Health and that the existing CBVE could incorporate these concepts. We conducted key informant and exploratory interviews with veterinarians across 12 sectors of veterinary medicine and used inductive coding to identify VPH/One Health codes. We then cross-analyzed these codes with the existing CBVE framework to incorporate field-validated VPH/One Health codes into the published framework. Thirty codes emerged which were designated as either adequately represented (5), not represented (6), or represented with sub-competency creation or augmentation recommended (19) in the existing framework. This information was used to cross-map, validate, and update the CBVE sub-competencies so that they accurately reflect the breadth and depth of One Health engagement required for competent veterinarians. This iterative, evidence-based revision process is a model for integrating One Health into medical professional curricula.