Swine Medicine Education: A Survey of North American and Caribbean Veterinary Colleges Curricula

Abstract

Numerous demands on the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training program have the potential to reduce the amount of time allocated to food animal species in general, including swine medicine, despite it being a key component of veterinary education. The objective of this study was to describe swine medicine training opportunities at North American and Caribbean veterinary education institutions. A 21-question survey was developed and distributed to veterinary colleges across North America and the Caribbean. The survey was available from October 2021 to March 2022, and one response was accepted per institution. Seventy-four percent of contacted institutions completed the survey, representing 29 veterinary colleges located in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. Responses were aggregated, analyzed, and grouped by topic: institution opportunities, curriculum opportunities, clinical opportunities, and faculty involvement in the swine medicine curricula. There was substantial variation among institutions in the delivery and resources allocated to swine medicine specific curricula. Swine veterinarians help ensure the health and well-being of animals and food safety. More research is required to evaluate the outcomes of the currently available opportunities. Concurrently, veterinary education institutions should prevent the attrition of swine educational programs by investing in the support and development of swine opportunities for students.