Veterinary Profession Research Articles

Veterinarians are reluctant to recommend virtual consultations to a fellow veterinarian.

To explore veterinarians' use of virtual veterinarian-client-patient consultations before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examine veterinarians' attitudes toward virtual consultations. 135 companion animal veterinarians in Canada, the US, and Europe. An anonymous online survey was distributed to gather participating veterinarians' use of information and communication technologies and their perception of virtual consultations' effect on patient care, client communication, and their own well-being. Willingness to recommend virtual consultations was evaluated using the Net Promoter Score. Multivariable logistic regression explored factors associated with willingness to recommend virtual consultations. Percentage of participating veterinarians using the telephone and videoconferencing increased significantly (P < .001) from before (83.6% and 3.0%, respectively) to during the COVID-19 pandemic (97.0% and 22.4%, respectively). Participants were significantly less confident (P < .001) about their ability to reach a diagnosis using a virtual consultation as compared to a hands-on patient examination. Participants perceived client communication to be more challenging during virtual as compared to face-to-face consultations, particularly for building rapport and expressing empathy. Participants were extremely unwilling to recommend virtual consultations (Net Promoter Score = -41.4) with 21.6% (24/111) promoters and 63.1% (70/111) detractors. Confidence doing a virtual patient examination and comfort using videoconferencing technology were both positively associated (P < .05) with willingness to recommend virtual consultations. Veterinary practices and organizations interested in encouraging virtual veterinarian-client-patient consultations likely need to prioritize veterinarians' acceptance as an initial focus. The veterinary profession would benefit from further research and education to inform virtual veterinary care.

Recasting the gold standard - part I of II: delineating healthcare options across a continuum of care.

This is the first part of a two-part series on spectrum of care that encourages practitioners to embrace a non-binary approach to healthcare delivery. When care is not framed as all-or-none, either/or or best versus lesser, the provider and client can agree to diagnostic and/or treatment plans that individualize the practice of veterinary medicine. Care is tailored to the patient along a continuum of acceptable options. Care may also be intentionally incremental, with plans to reassess the patient and revise case management as needed. Acknowledgment and ultimately acceptance that patient care journeys can be distinct, yet equitably appropriate, offers providers the flexibility to adapt case management competently and confidently to the patient based upon contextualized circumstances including client needs, wants and expectations for healthcare outcomes. Thinking outside the box to recast the historic gold standard with a continuum of care strategically offers feline practitioners a means by which they can overcome barriers to healthcare delivery. This first article introduces spectrum of care as an appropriate approach to case management and broadens its definition beyond cost of care. Part II explores communication strategies that enhance veterinary professionals' delivery of spectrum of care through open exchange of relationship-centered dialogue.

Hong Kong veterinarians' encounters with client-related stress - a qualitative study.

Limited research has explored the stressors experienced by veterinarians in East Asia. Metropolitan cities like Hong Kong may have overlooked factors that significantly contribute to veterinarians' stress. This paper examines how client-related stressors and contextual factors contribute to the stress levels of Hong Kong-based veterinarians. Veterinarians from small domestic animal practices in Hong Kong were recruited using purposive and targeted snowball samplings until thematic saturation was achieved. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with an interpretivist paradigm based on Heidegger's phenomenological approach. A total of 18 participating veterinarians described the expectations of and communication with the animal-health enthusiast (AHE) community, including clients, pet owners, and animal lovers, as their primary source of stress. Discrepant expectations and miscommunication between the AHE and veterinary communities, along with contextual factors, such as convenience in clinic switching, negative online reviews, and the relatively short history of the veterinary profession in the multilingual city, were identified as contributing factors to their stress. Recent socio-political events and the pandemic further intensified societal emotions, leading some clients to project frustrations onto perceived authority figures, including health professionals. The study highlights that client-related stress extends beyond the health of animal patients, encompassing the expectations of the AHE community, which requires professional-level communication skills to build a mutually respectful three-party relationship. Besides, Hong Kong's unique contextual and historical factors subtly but chronically impact veterinary practices, which can be easily overlooked. Recognising these influences and how they interact is crucial for collaboration, within and beyond the profession, at the policy level to improve veterinary training and practices. Our findings highlight the importance of expectation management and improving communication quality to foster healthy relationships among animals, the AHE community, and veterinary professionals. These efforts are believed to alleviate veterinarians' stress and enhance the well-being of all parties involved. We recommend incorporating effective communication and self-care discussions into the veterinary curriculum and advocating ongoing training for practising veterinarians. At the community level, encouraging open dialogues between animal caregivers and veterinary professionals can help address expectation discrepancies.

Cannabis and pathologies in dogs and cats: first survey of phytocannabinoid use in veterinary medicine in Argentina

BackgroundIn animals, the endocannabinoid system regulates multiple physiological functions. Like humans, animals respond to preparations containing phytocannabinoids for treating several conditions. In Argentina, laws 27350 and 27669 have expanded the possibility of studying beneficial and adverse effects.Materials and methodsWe conducted a web-based survey of Argentinian Cannabis Veterinarians to make a situational diagnosis on the number of veterinary medicine professionals currently developing treatments with cannabinoids focusing on dogs and cats. ResultsAmong the species treated, 77% corresponded to dogs, while 21% were cats. Pain, seizures, and behavior disorders are the most prevalent conditions in dogs. Seven conditions and combinations were treated in cats. Full-spectrum cannabis extract derived from three different chemotypes was administered alone or with standard medication. Response to cannabis treatment was characterized based on improvement categorized according to clinical assessment. Both dogs and cats showed different improvement grades in clinical signs.ConclusionThis analysis provides promising results regarding the medicinal use of cannabis in dogs and cats. Based on this analysis, we propose to expand the training of professionals, obtain quality preparations, and initiate controlled trials to reinforce knowledge of the use of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine.

Behavioral Medicine in Companion Animals

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to investigate behavioural medicine interventions on the behaviour and mental health of companion animals.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.&#x0D; Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to behavioral medicine in companion animals. Preliminary empirical review revealed that it is important to consider the unique needs and circumstances of companion animals when designing and implementing behavioral medicine interventions. Factors such as the animal's history, environment, and the presence of underlying medical conditions must be carefully evaluated to tailor interventions effectively. Additionally, the role of human caregivers, including pet owners, trainers, and veterinary professionals, is paramount in the success of these interventions.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Learning theory, Cognitive Behavioural theory and the Attachment theory may be used to anchor future studies on behavioral medicine in companion animals. The study recommended for promoting early and comprehensive behavioural assessment, increasing awareness and education for pet owners, expanding access to qualified behavioural professionals, incorporating evidence based approaches, fostering collaboration between veterinary and behavioural professions and emphasizing prevention and early intervention.

On-farm epidemiology, virulence profiling, and molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at goat farms

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) becomes a challenging issue that limits the therapeutic options for both veterinary and public health professionals. The current study aimed to investigate the on-farm epidemiology, antibiotics resisting profiling, virulence analysis, and molecular detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the caprine-human interface. A total of 768 goat milk samples and 94 skin swabs from farm personnel were collected from 30 goat flocks and processed for isolation of S. aureus. The study isolates were confirmed as MRSA based on the oxacillin and cefoxitin disc diffusion test and the presence of mecA gene. MRSA isolates of goats and human origin were characterized and further evaluated for the presence of virulence genes responsible for intramammary infections and public health hazards. The results revealed 26.82 % and 27.79 % goat milk samples and human samples positive for S. aureus, respectively. A higher MRSA prevalence of 35.92 % and 10.71 % was found in goat and human isolates respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a lesser extent of homology in mecA gene of S. aureus isolates at the caprine-human interface. Moreover, this study revealed strong evolutionary connection between the study isolates and MRSA isolates of Pakistani cattle and buffalo while the in-silico protein analysis showed that all sequences have the same protein motifs resembling penicillin binding protein 2a. The risk factors analysis revealed that teat length, drainage system, hygienic measures during milking, use of teat dip, teat injury, and veterinary services were significantly associated with subclinical mastitis in goats. A total of 43.24 % of local MRSA isolates showed multi-drug resistance (MDR). The isolates showed higher resistance to oxytetracycline followed by gentamicin and vancomycin while moxifloxacin, and linezolid were among the susceptible antibiotics. Local MRSA isolates carried virulence markers (nuc and coag genes) and biofilm-associated icaA (43.24 %) and icaD (29.73 %) genes which are responsible for the intramammary infection. The local isolates also carried the virulence genes of public health concern including the enterotoxin C (sec) gene (24.3 %), enterotoxins B (seb) gene (5.41 %), and enterotoxin D (sed) gene (2.7 %). Enterotoxins A (sea) and E (see) genes were not detected in any isolate. The study concluded that MRSA is an emerging and prevailing pathogen in dairy goats with a high potential to transmit to associated human beings. The presence of a variety of virulence factors as well as the associated antibiotic resistance makes MRSA a potential threat at animal-human interface and thus demands further research.

Lessons learned: Shaping the evolution of veterinary specialty education.

In response to concerns regarding numerous complex issues facing the veterinary specialty profession, several organizations, including the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, have made a clarion call to the American Veterinary Medical Association to begin discussions surrounding the formation of an accrediting body for internships, residencies, and fellowships. A proposed name for such a body is the Accreditation Council on Graduate Veterinary Medical Education, in alignment with the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME); the term "graduate" refers to specialty education that occurs after the first 4 years of the MD or DVM degree. Although the structure and financing of graduate education differ between the human medical and veterinary professions, we can nevertheless learn much from the history of evolution of human medical specialization as we navigate the path ahead.

Well-being of veterinarians in rural and urban areas.

The field of veterinary medicine is characterized by a variety of challenging working conditions. The alarmingly low mental well-being of veterinarians has been examined from various perspectives. However, the influence of work location on the well-being of veterinary professionals has scarcely been investigated. The aim of the study was therefore to analyze the well-being of German veterinarians and to determine whether there is a correlation between well-being and work location. As part of a cross-sectional study, 999 veterinary professionals answered questions regarding their work location (self-designed questions) and well-being (WHO-Five Well-being Index, WHO-5). A differentiation was made according to work location: urban cities (population > 100,000), medium/small cities (population < 100,000 inhabitants), and rural areas. Overall, the surveyed veterinarians had low well-being (ranging from 56.8% in rural areas to 61.3% in medium/small towns). The results of the general linear model indicated a significant difference in the WHO total score among veterinarians from different work locations (p < 0.001). However, when sex, age, type of employment, and field of specialization were included in the analysis, no significant between-subject effects were found. According to the results, work location does not seem to have a significant influence on the well-being of veterinarians and therefore may be of lower priority in the development and implementation of interventions. However, further investigation of work-related predictors of the mental health of veterinarians is recommended, as the results indicate a low well-being among these professionals.

Evaluating the awareness level of zoonotic diseases among final-year veterinary students

Zoonotic diseases have significant implications for public health, and veterinary professionals are essential in their prevention and control. This study aimed to evaluate the level of zoonotic disease awareness among final-year veterinary students and explore their perspectives on protection against these diseases. A survey was administered to 128 final-year veterinary students, and the data were analyzed to investigate the associations between demographic factors and cumulative scores, which were based on six statements related to zoonosis awareness. The results showed a moderate level of awareness among the participants. No significant differences in cumulative scores were observed with respect to age (P = 0.769), gender (P = 0.342), geographical region of residence (P = 0.565), living area (P = 0.748), and grade point average (P = 0.468). However, students who owned or took care of companion animals (4 [1-6]) exhibited higher cumulative scores compared to those who did not own companion animals (3 [1-6]; P = 0.011). Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors and develop educational interventions that promote zoonotic disease awareness among veterinary students

PSXIII-28 Advancing Anemia Detection in Small Ruminants with Convolutional Neural Networks and Smartphone Integration

Abstract Anemia, often caused by internal parasites like Haemonchus contortus, presents significant health and productivity challenges for small ruminants. The primary goal of this study was to accurately distinguish between healthy and anemic goats using an image classification system focused on eye conjunctiva images. In the initial phase, 1,200 eye conjunctiva images from 75 goats were collected at Fort Valley State University farms over a two-week period using smartphone cameras. These images were randomly divided into training (70%) and testing (30%) datasets, with each group containing three subfolders corresponding to FAMACHA scores of 1, 2, and 3. The validation folder included unique images not found in the other folders. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm was utilized for image analysis, incorporating data augmentation techniques such as Resize, RandomHorizontalFlip, RandomVerticalFlip, and RandomRotation. The CNN model was built on the Google Colaboratory platform using CUDA 11.2 and the PyTorch machine learning framework, incorporating three ConvNet layers. The model training used the Adam Optimizer with a slower learning rate of 0.001 and a weight decay of 0.0001 to prevent exploding gradient issues, alongside ReLU and the cross-entropy loss function over 1000 epochs. Results demonstrate that the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model was highly effective in classifying eye conjunctiva images of goats to detect anemia based on FAMACHA scores. The overall precision of 93.9% indicates that the model was accurate in identifying true positive cases. The recall accuracy of 92.1% suggests that the model was successful in capturing most of the true anemic cases from the entire dataset, minimizing the number of false negatives. When examining the precision for each FAMACHA score, the CNN model displayed excellent performance. With a precision of 100% for FAMACHA score 1, the model perfectly identified healthy goats without any false positives. For score 2, the model achieved a precision of 95%, indicating a high level of accuracy in detecting goats with mild anemia. Lastly, for FAMACHA score 3, the precision of the model was 92.9%, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying goats with more severe anemia. These results show that smartphone-derived images can be a powerful tool in creating an image classification model for monitoring animal health, particularly in detecting anemia in small ruminants. Utilizing smartphone cameras makes the process more accessible, cost-effective, and user-friendly for farmers and veterinary professionals. Despite the impressive performance of the CNN model, the research suggests that there is still room for improvement. By increasing the size of the training dataset, Refining the model development process, such as adjusting the architecture, hyperparameters, or data augmentation techniques, could also contribute to enhanced performance. These improvements would further increase the accuracy and reliability of the model in identifying anemic goats, ultimately leading to better animal health management.

The path to Net Zero carbon emissions for veterinary practice.

The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement is a compelling reason for the entire veterinary profession to act on climate change because of its impact on animal health. The aim of this perspective is to provide a business framework that veterinary practices can use to implement the path to Net Zero carbon emissions. Practice management is identified as a key stakeholder capable of implementing significant change within the sector. Climate related business opportunities and challenges are identified and integrated into a stepwise process for practices to follow. The pathway requires establishing a culture of sustainability within the veterinary team, measuring and reporting emissions, setting targets and systematically prioritizing reductions. Practices can begin this process immediately by reducing emissions under direct control of the business (Scope 1) and emissions from electricity purchases (Scope 2). To complete the pathway, emissions from all other activities (Scope 3) will need to be reduced and offset. Reduction of Scope 3 emissions is more challenging and will require collaboration between all supply chain stakeholders. The progression of climate change is now inevitable and a proactive approach from veterinary leaders, in particular practice management, will provide new opportunities, manage risks and inspire the broader veterinary sector to join their efforts to achieve a better future for animal health.

Balancing generalism and specialism: what can the vet profession learn from human medicine?

Cleodie Swire and Honoria Brown argue that the current trends of promoting generalism in human medicine to provide holistic care to patients should prompt the veterinary profession to do the same and create a rewarding career pathway for GP vets.

Younger dogs of specific breeds are more likely to experience a rare adverse event after administration of extended-release injectable moxidectin heartworm preventive.

To estimate the incidence of and identify patient risk factors for an acute adverse event in dogs after administration of a sustained-release injectable heartworm preventive product. Canine patients that received the injectable heartworm preventive product during routine preventive care visits. Retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of canine visits within a large network of primary care veterinary clinics in which the product was administered from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2020. Visits during which vaccination(s) were also administered were excluded from analysis. Identification of acute adverse events was based on diagnostic entries and other clinical presentations suggestive of an adverse event within 3 days of product administration. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression. In the 5-year study period, 1,399,289 visits with 694,030 dogs led to an incidence estimate of approximately 14.3 events/10,000 doses. Regression analysis found younger dogs and 7 breeds (relative to mixed-breed dogs) to have statistically significant greater odds of an event. Understanding of incidence and patient risk factors provides veterinary professionals and dog owners more information when deciding on heartworm preventive options for their dog when considering risk for adverse event in dogs of certain ages or breeds.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted veterinary client satisfaction and loyalty.

To evaluate the temporal association of the COVID-19 pandemic with veterinary client loyalty and satisfaction. 318,693 client satisfaction surveys, available from CalPro Research, between March 5, 2018, and May 30, 2022, from 4 veterinary practice types: colleges of veterinary medicine, emergency/critical care clinics, general practices, and specialty private practices. Survey data on client loyalty score (CLS), which is the likelihood of a client to recommend a practice, and 5 clinic performance domains (professionalism, communication, convenience, perceived overall value, and personalized interaction) were compared between the pre-COVID-19 (2018 to 2020) and COVID-19 eras (2020 to 2022) and by practice type. Correlations among CLS performance domains were evaluated. CLS and all clinic performance domains decreased significantly during the COVID-19 era (P < .001), except professionalism. There was a significant correlation between each performance domain and overall CLS (P < .001). The most pronounced association with CLS during the COVID-19 era was for personalized interaction. Among clients who did not report a personalized interaction (ie, their dog or themselves being addressed by name), the CLS decreased from 9.47 to 4.88 (P < .001). Our study found that client loyalty scores for veterinary clinics dropped during the COVID-19 era, although veterinary professionalism was still considered high. These data suggest that improving communication, convenience, perceived overall value, and especially personalized interactions with clients could improve client loyalty. In particular, consistently addressing clients and pets by name provides a specific, measurable, and achievable intervention for clinics to potentially sustain client satisfaction and loyalty.

Disability in the workplace. Part 2: demystifying disability support and ‘reasonable’ adjustments

In the first article on disability in the workplace, published in the October 2023 issue of In Practice, we looked at some of the impacts on an individual who is navigating the veterinary profession with chronic illness, neurodivergence and/or disability. In this article, we cover how to support a colleague or employee with a chronic condition, neurodivergence and/or disability, and explain the legalities surrounding disability and employment, including demystifying ‘reasonable adjustments’.

Life expectancy tables for cats from the city of Buenos Aires

The aim of the present study was to develop the first life tables for the domestic feline population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires by constructing general cohort tables. To develop the life tables, data from felines received for final disposition at the Luis Pasteur Zoonosis Institute of the city from January 2018 to December 2021 were used. Of the 7945 cats that died in that period, the overall life expectancy at birth was 11.01 years (95% CI=10.55- 11.46 years). When life expectancy was analyzed according to sex, significant differences were found, being higher in females, 12.26 years (95% CI: 11.78- 12.73) than in males, 10.92 years (95% CI: 10.50- 11.35). According to neutered status, life expectancy at birth in the neutered, 13.19 years, was significantly higher than in the entire, 5.55 years (p-value=0.00001). Likewise, life expectancy among purebred cats was significantly higher, 14.81 years (95% CI: 14.51- 15.10), than for cross breed cats, 10.97 years (CI: 10.81- 11.13). Regarding the variations in mortality according to the warm or cold season of the year, no differences were observed between the two seasons. The most prevalent causes of death were related to urinary system failures and neoplasms, over 444 records analyzed. This study provides useful information for veterinary professionals and pet owners and is a valuable tool for the planning and development of effective health policies.

When the Going Gets Challenging-Motivational Theories as a Driver for Workplace Health Promotion, Employees Well-Being and Quality of Life.

Being characterized by high numbers of physical and mental health issues, the veterinary sector faces some negative peculiarities compared to other professions. To evaluate and possibly improve employees' well-being and to reward according to individual motivation, managing staff and the profession in general must understand every individual's motivation. Defining the motivation of veterinary professionals in a multidisciplinary way can be the first step in increasing the well-being of employees. To assemble current theories of work motivation and adapt and extend them to serve the veterinary profession, basic knowledge of the classical general psychological motivational theories and work motivational theories is inevitable. The authors aimed to illustrate the different motivational theories' key aspects and historical evolution to provide veterinary personnel with broad knowledge. In addition, the availability of already existing literature should be evaluated. A scoping review was performed. Methodological, empirical, review, and theoretical articles were evaluated. Only a minority of the studies (1.3%) evaluated motivational theories in veterinary health care. This reflects that there is a need for research in this field. Still, it is illustrated that the veterinarian profession would benefit from the implementation of general psychological as well as motivational work theories.

Occupational Health Hazards Among Veterinarians in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Veterinarians and other professionals who interact with animals on a daily basis encounter an elevated risk of exposure to both known and as-yet-undiscovered microbial agents. Additionally, they are also exposed to physical, chemical, and environmental hazards. Enhancing occupational health and safety in this context carries significant global significance. Methods This study aimed to comprehensively identify and outline the various biological, physical, chemical, and environmental health threats that were encountered by veterinarians in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, wedesigned a self-completed questionnaire for 529 participants. The survey encompassed potential occupational hazards such as microbial diseases, injuries resulting from animal bites and scratches, allergies, and environmental risks like sunstroke and dust storms. Results Among the 529 participating veterinarians, 45.9% (243 individuals) reported instances of zoonotic diseases within the past five years. Notably, potential viral agents included Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, avian influenza, and foot-and-mouth disease virus. Bacterial diseases were also frequently documented, with brucellosis (18.7%) and salmonellosis (7.9%) being notable pathogens. Protozoal infections were led by Leishmaniosis, constituting the most commonly detected protozoa (29 /529, 5.5%). Interestingly, 345 (65.2%) of the individuals reported that they have experienced animal bites and scratches. Needle stick injuries were also a common occupational hazard, with an incidence rate of 19.1%. Additionally, chemical exposure was prevalent, particularly to disinfectants (57.5%) and veterinary drugs (23.4%). The study participants also reported their exposure to various environmental hazards, including sunstroke, dust, sandstorms, and heavy rains. Conclusion The findings of this study draw attention to a concerning trend among veterinarians in Saudi Arabia. Their personal health and safety appear to receive inadequate attention, potentially heightening the risk of occupationally related health hazards. These outcomes highlight the need for a reevaluation of safety protocols and infection control practices within the veterinary profession. The implications of this study can potentially inform the development of policies and initiatives aimed at mitigating occupationally related health hazards among veterinarians in Saudi Arabia.

How do veterinarians mitigate liability concerns with workforce shortages?

The challenge of meeting pet healthcare demands with inadequate staff resources creates legal and ethical considerations for the veterinary profession. Inadequate staffing can result in access to care issues that impact companion animal health, public health, and the human animal bond. An overburdened work environment may also result in liability issues related to standard of care, client dissatisfaction, and subsequent complaints. The following recommendations may ameliorate the legal and ethical impacts to include: a focus on how to optimize current resources (human and technology); improve client communications and medical record-keeping strategies; promote preventive care; develop and memorialize clinical standard operating procedures; and prioritize staff well-being to prevent burn out. These recommendations should be considered good practices when functioning under optimal conditions but are even more valuable to implement effectively in an overburdened companion animal medicine environment.

Building a European One Health workforce for prevention and preparedness to health threats

Abstract Background The Quadripartite has elaborated the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) (OH JPA) to promote health sustainably and prevent the next pandemic through the One Health (OH) approach. One of the action track of the OH JPA is to create a training program for environment, medical and veterinary sector professionals. Objectives The Italian National Institute of Health is developing a training curriculum about OH prevention and preparedness to health threats within the European Region to promote the OH workforce capacities and capabilities and to support the OH JPA execution. The training curriculum would be developed through a literature review and a stakeholder consultation process, validated by a steering committee and presented during a workshop. Results A modular training curriculum about OH prevention and preparedness to health threats within the European Region is developed and it includes modules to strengthen soft and hard skills around 5 OH domains (OH thinking, OH design, OH implementation, OH evaluation, OH cross-cutting competences) with case studies encompassing different threats. The curriculum would be further developed into a training hybrid course for National Public Health Institutes, decision and policy-makers at all level, International and European organizations and agencies, Academia, professionals working in the area of environmental and agricultural sciences, social sciences, human and animal health. Conclusions The training curriculum would contribute to build a European OH workforce by strengthening OH prevention and preparedness skills and competences and networking opportunities. It would support OH action and practice at national, regional and global level and the execution of the OH JPA. Key messages • A training curriculum for OH prevention and preparedness to health threats within Europe has been elaborated. • The OH workforce, OH action, and the OH JPA execution are strengthened and supported.