Veterinary Students Research Articles

Veterinary medicine under COVID-19: a mixed-methods analysis of student and practitioner experiences in Austria

BackgroundThis study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the pandemic’s impact on the veterinary profession and education in Austria.MethodsTwo online surveys were conducted from November 2022 to January 2023, inviting all veterinarians and veterinary students in Austria to share their experiences on the impact of the pandemic on their veterinarian work and education in a free text question.ResultsA total of n = 289 veterinarians and n = 272 veterinary students provided an answer. In summary, 39.8% of veterinarians reported no impact by the pandemic, while others experienced changes in workload (19.7%), changes in client behavior (14.9%), implementation of safety measures (13.1%), and organizational changes (13.1%). Additional impacts included effects on mental health, private life, finances, as well as physical health. Changes were more frequently mentioned in veterinarians working with pets compared to those working with livestock. In the student panel, only a minority reported no significant impact (8.1%) but 44.9% reporting changes due to online and hybrid learning. Key issues included impaired learning conditions (34.9%), and social distancing (34.6%) leading to social isolation. Some students appreciated increased flexibility and reduced commuting (10.7%), while others experienced mental health challenges (10.7%). Further impacts were related to the implementation of safety measures (5.5%), organizational changes (4.8%) and impaired physical health due to infection (1.1%). Negative changes related to distance learning were mainly reported by students in the final study phase, whereas those in the first study phase reported more positive aspects related to online/hybrid learning.ConclusionOverall, this study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterinary education and professional practice in Austria, revealing diverse challenges for students and relatively lower but still notable effects on practicing veterinarians. Future research should monitor these impacts longitudinally and explore the integration of beneficial practices into standard veterinary education and care, such as effective digital learning platforms and appointment-based systems.

ChatGPT-4o, ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini are compared with Students: A Study in Higher Education

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, their pervasive use in every field, and the growing understanding of the benefits they bring have led actors in the education sector to pursue research in this field. In particular, the use of artificial intelligence tools has become more prevalent in the education sector due to the increasing number and functionality of these tools. The educational research conducted in the 4o version, which is relatively new in the context of ChatGPT tools that have gained popularity, has not yet produced a substantial body of evidence. In this study, ChatGPT-4, 4o and Google Gemini were subjected to a physiology examination taken by veterinary department students. A comparative analysis of the students' performances and the performances of these tools was conducted. In the comparison within the artificial intelligence tools themselves, the latest ChatGPT-4o version showed an accuracy rate of 90%. It was followed by Gemini and ChatGPT-4. All of the tools used in the physiology course exam were able to pass the exam with a satisfactory level. ChatGPT-4o, 4 and Gemini outperformed the students.

Assessment of a Low-cost Canine Uterine Simulator as a Tool for Teaching the Ovariohysterectomy Technique to Veterinary Students.

The acquisition of skills to perform an ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is crucial for veterinary medicine students. It has been demonstrated that the most effective way to develop these skills is through repetitive training on simulators. Unfortunately, commercial simulators are expensive, limiting their use and highlighting the need for the development of more cost-effective alternatives. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost, easily constructed textile-based simulator for the canine ovaries and uterus in training veterinary students on the OVH technique. The impact of tutor guidance on student learning was also assessed. Participants were divided into two groups: simulator and tutor guidance (SG) and simulator only (SO). Each student performed 20 repetitions of the three-clamp OVH technique, and the number of errors and execution time were quantified. The SG group reached the learning curve plateau in terms of minimum errors on the 7th repetition and attained the fastest time on the 6th repetition. The SO group reached the learning curve plateau in terms of minimum errors and attained the fastest time both on the 15th repetition. From individuals in the SG group, there were no requests for tutor guidance from the 11th attempt. This low-cost simulator is ideal for training veterinary students in the early stages of surgical learning, as it effectively facilitates learning the OVH procedure without the use of live animals.

Veterinary students do not need an elephantine memory: the effectiveness of a preinduction safety checklist

Veterinary students do not need an elephantine memory: the effectiveness of a preinduction safety checklist

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Veterinary Professionals and Senior Animal Health Students in Central Gondar Zone, Gondar, Ethiopia: Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Perspectives.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a worldwide challenge to the well-being of animals and humans. The emergence of AMR is largely attributed to the improper utilization and overuse of antimicrobials. In order to combat this issue and promote responsible antimicrobial use (AMU), it is imperative for veterinary professionals and graduating students to possess extensive knowledge, maintain positive attitudes, and adhere to good practices regarding AMU and AMR. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of veterinary professionals and senior animal health students' towards veterinary AMU and AMR. A cross-sectional study design was conducted on purposefully selected 200 participants (60 of them were veterinary professionals from the districts and towns, and the remaining 140 were senior animal health university students). A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. The study revealed that, overall, study participants' KAP were not satisfactory. From veterinary professionals, about 56.7% of respondents scored average knowledge, whereas 66.7% and 61.66% of them had negative attitudes and poor practices, respectively, on AMU and AMR. The study found that 56% of the participants' think the previous knowledge they acquired regarding AMU and AMR was not sufficient, and the internet was used as a source of drug information by the majority of participants. The majority (72%) of them were not taking special training on AMU and AMR. Regarding senior animal health students, this study indicated that 52% and 69.2% of the respondents had poor knowledge and a negative attitude, respectively, towards AMU and AMR. Overall, veterinary professionals in the central Gondar zone have average knowledge, a negative attitude and poor practices. Poor knowledge and a negative attitude were also observed among senior animal health students towards AMU and AMR. Therefore, to fill the observed gaps, activities that enhance the skills of veterinary professionals and students should be implemented. Ingreted measures with animicrobial stewardship program and Nationwide studies are highly suggested to evaluate the overall status of veterinary professionals towards AMU and AMR.

A survey of US and Caribbean veterinary schools reveals strengths and opportunities in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control activities.

To understand antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities in veterinary schools. An online survey was completed by representatives from American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges-accredited veterinary schools in the US and Caribbean prior to attending the Inaugural Small Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship Workshop for US Veterinary Schools. Responses were examined to identify patterns among AS and IPC activities and adherence to the AVMA core principles. Half (12 of 24) of the surveyed schools had an AS committee and most (79% [19 of 24]) had an IPC committee. Lack of dedicated staff time was a common barrier to AS (88% [21 of 24]) and IPC (75% [18 of 24]) reported by schools both with and without AS and IPC committees. Eleven of 24 schools (46%) reported performing at least 1 activity focused on each of the AVMA's 5 core principles of AS. Although 79% (19 of 24) of schools incorporate AS into preclinical curricula, training of clinical faculty (17% [4 of 24]), veterinary technicians and support staff (21% [5 of 24]), and house officers (42% [10 of 24]) is less common, despite these individuals engaging in teaching clinical-year veterinary students. Veterinary schools varied in established AS education and AS and IPC practices, though financial and human resources were a common barrier. A collaborative and cohesive approach to AS and IPC among schools to create sustainable frameworks for practice improvement will help combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. This is a critical action for settings where future veterinarians are trained.

A global investigation into antimicrobial knowledge in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary undergraduate students: A scoping review to inform future planetary health multidisciplinary education

BackgroundInappropriate use of antimicrobials can push the environment out of balance, and cause unnecessary waste that can contaminate our soil, animals and waterways. Health professional education is committed to preparing students for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and supporting planetary health, but a more multidisciplinary action is needed to curb the expansion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this scoping review is to showcase the current antimicrobial knowledge of undergraduate students across the disciplines of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary. This will consequently showcase the gaps and trends across the different disciplines and countries to help inform planetary health multidisciplinary undergraduate curriculums.MethodsA search of the existing literature published prior to December 2023 was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and ERIC databases. Studies were excluded if they included postgraduate students or discussed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of students towards antimicrobial prescribing, AMR and AMS related to a specific learning activity.ResultsA total of 144 articles were included. The most represented countries were India and Pakistan accounting for 17% and 8% of the studies, respectively. Single-disciplinary research accounted for approximately 80% of the studies. Medicine was the most represented discipline in both single-disciplinary and multidisciplinary research, appearing in approximately 62% of the studies, followed by pharmacy appearing in approximately 30% of the studies and dentistry appearing in approximately 18% of the studies. Three major priority themes were identified: students are more familiar with the term AMR compared to AMS; inappropriate use of antimicrobials is seen as the main driver of AMR; and the need for more training and education in the field of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing, AMR and AMS.ConclusionThis review has highlighted that there is a need for more AMS interprofessional education (IPE) activities in all five disciplines, and especially within the disciplines of nursing, veterinary and dentistry, as shown by a lack of multidisciplinary research in this area. Most of the knowledge assessments have just touched the surface of AMS and focused on inappropriate antimicrobial use alone. Interdisciplinary planetary health education needs to go beyond these skills and broaden the understanding of other factors that can contribute to AMR such as inappropriate disposal, environmental contamination, monitoring and surveillance, one health, false allergies, and more importantly, how each health professional can contribute to a team.

Global insights of AMR education within One Health

Abstract Introduction Amidst rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), traditional educational models fall short in addressing the complexities of AMR which spans environmental, animal, and human health. Education plays a key role in equipping students with skills to combat AMR effectively. We analyzed the difference in knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding AMR across medical, dental, and veterinary students, in relation to the quality of AMR education they receive. Methods Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles related to KAP and education until 3 August 2023. The inclusion criterion was the presence of KAP data related to AMR, and details on the AMR education curriculum. Meta-analysis is currently being performed. Results We retrieved 1301 articles, and 90 articles met inclusion criteria for final analysis. Articles spanned 42 countries, first to final year, sample sizes ranging from <100 to > 3000 participants. Across medicine and dentistry, 79% of studies were done, compared to 17% in the veterinary sector and 5% that adopted a One Health approach. HICs prioritize improving current educational frameworks with practical skills and innovative teaching methods. LMICs deal with challenges like raising awareness about AMR and addressing educational deficiencies at a basic level. Findings indicate a wide variance in AMR knowledge levels, with some studies reporting as low as 32.4% of participants having “good knowledge” on AMR. Attitudes towards antibiotic use and resistance were casual, with a significant number of students expressing the need for more education. Practices varied widely, from high rates of self-medication to better-informed antibiotic use in regions with more comprehensive AMR curricula. Conclusions Enhancing the quality of AMR education across medical, dental, veterinary, and environmental health is imperative to equip future health professionals with the knowledge and attitudes necessary to combat AMR. Key messages • Traditional educational models are insufficient for addressing the complexities of AMR which crosses multiple health sectors. • Improving AMR education quality is crucial to equip future health professionals to effectively combat AMR.

Exploration and Practice of Classification Talent Training Model in Local Agricultural Institutes

With the rapid development of modern society, the demand for professional talents in the veterinary industry is increasing and showing a trend of diversification. In order to better adapt to this change and meet the industry's demand for high-quality and versatile veterinary talents, the reform of traditional veterinary professional education is particularly urgent. Taking Shanxi Agricultural University as an example, the veterinary specialty of a local agricultural university actively explored and implemented the "2-2-4" classified talent training model of "three stages, three modules and seven links". This innovative model divides veterinary education into three learning stages, each with targeted teaching modules, and ensures the systematic transmission of knowledge and comprehensive cultivation of skills through seven specific teaching links. In this way, the model effectively solves many problems in traditional teaching, such as weak professional awareness among students, insufficient teacher-student interaction, single ability cultivation among students, and disconnection between teaching and research. It emphasizes the close integration of theory and practice, emphasizes students' active participation and innovation ability cultivation, thereby significantly improving the quality of talent cultivation. In addition, this reform practice of Shanxi Agricultural University not only provides a broader development space and employment opportunities for veterinary students in our university, but also provides useful reference and inspiration for the educational reform of veterinary majors in peer universities. Its successful implementation proves that emphasizing innovative teaching models and diversified talent cultivation in veterinary education is an important way to improve education quality and meet social needs. Therefore, this model has important promotion value and is expected to cultivate more high-quality talents with innovative spirit and practical ability for the veterinary industry.

Knowledge, perception and attitude about Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) among veterinary students and professionals of Spain

The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tropical viral zoonosis first reported in Spain with 17 detected cases since 2010–2024. Health professionals, including veterinarians, play a crucial role in controlling and preventing this disease. This study aimed to analyse and compare the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of veterinary students and professionals in Spain regarding CCHF and zoonoses in general. Additionally, the study highlighted the value of epidemiological surveys as a tool for identifying knowledge gaps related to specific diseases. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to April 2024 among 4th and 5th-year veterinary students, Masters and Doctorate students, and veterinarians from the public and private sectors using a validated online questionnaire. A total of 135 individuals participated, 80.7 % professionals and 19.3 % students. The study found that 76.9 % of students and 64.2 % of veterinarians had good or very good knowledge of CCHF, yet significant gaps remained, particularly in epidemiology and diagnosis. Notably, only 34.8 % had good or very good knowledge of the disease’s situation in Spain, and many respondents felt their training and the information provided by official sources were inadequate. Additionally, the perception of infection risk from pets and attitudes towards preventing zoonoses through medication, vaccination, or regular analysis were concerning. Despite CCHF being an emerging disease in Spain, this survey—the first in Spain and Europe—reveals that veterinarians’ knowledge and attitudes in affected regions are not as advanced as needed, underscoring the importance of targeted epidemiological surveys on the knowledge of the disease.

A Study on Veterinary Faculty Students' Opinions on Ethics Education and Career Choices: A Case of Ondokuz Mayıs University.

Veterinary ethics is a multifaceted element of the veterinary profession as it deals with various ethical issues related to medical practice, animal welfare, professional behaviour and societal expectations. By focusing on teaching ethics in veterinary medicine education, it will be possible to guide future veterinarians through the ethical dilemmas and conflicts they may encounter in their careers. To evaluate the opinions of the Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine intern students about ethics education in veterinary medicine. Evaluation and comparison of the perspective on ethics education and career choice. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to collect data via a questionnaire. Data obtained from 87 out of 119 students in the intern programme were evaluated. Responses were analysed by statistical methods. In the study, it was determined that pet veterinary services (private sector) and government veterinary services (public sector) were the leading career choices of intern veterinary students; female and male students wanted to turn to different fields of work; and the difference in career preferences did not change the views on ethics education. It was observed that students needed applied teaching and measurement-evaluation methods in ethics education and sought role models in developing ethical attitudes and behaviours. In addition to gaining ethical knowledge in veterinary education, it was observed that they attach importance to professional and legal obligations. This study is one of the few studies on veterinary ethics education and career choice in Turkey. The study results provide information to guide the development of veterinary ethics education to prepare future veterinarians for the complex ethical issues they will face in their careers.

Occurrence and characterization of ESKAPE organisms on the hands of veterinary students before patient contact at a veterinary academic hospital, South Africa

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the presence of ESKAPE organisms on the hands of students working in the intensive care unit (ICU) at a veterinary academic hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among students working in an ICU at a veterinary academic hospital in South Africa. Students were sampled before the start of the ICU shift using a modified glove-juice method. Standard microbiological techniques and a series of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to identify and characterize the bacteria. All the isolates were tested for resistance against a specific panel of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. Proportions of bacterial species and their antimicrobial-susceptibility profiles were calculated.ResultsAt screening, all the veterinary students (n = 62) carried at least one of the ESKAPE organisms on their hands. Escherichia coli was the most isolated organism (76%, 47/62), followed by P. aeruginosa (48%, 30/62), A. baumannii (47%, 29/62), E. faecium (35%, 22/62), K. pneumoniae (27%, 17/62), and S. aureus (24%, 15/62). A reduced proportion of isolates were recovered from the samples, E. coli (26%, 12/47), E. faecium (23%, 5/22), P. aeruginosa (43%, 13/30), A. baumannii (24%,7/29), K. pneumoniae (41%, 7/17), and S. aureus (20%, 3/15). Most of the organisms showed a high proportion of resistance to at least one antibiotic. Multidrug resistance was reported among just over half (56%, 5/9) of E. coli, 40% (2/5) of E. faecium, 100% (13/13) of P. aeruginosa, and 33% (1/3) of S. aureus isolates.ConclusionStudents working in the ICU carry several organisms belonging to the ESKAPE group of organisms before contact with patients. Moreover, MDR resistance was common among this group of organisms. The findings of the present study underscore the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies to help reduce the likelihood of the spread of these organisms to personnel, owners, family members, and patients.

Global self-esteem and coping with stress by Polish students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students experience considerable stress and anxiety during the course of their studies, which has a significant impact on their health and hinders the learning process. There are many stressors that can intensify stress, which is why choosing the right strategies for coping with stress and self-esteem is so important. The study was conducted on 798 students of the School of Public Health at the University of Warmia and Mazury in majors: nursing, midwifery, emergency medicine and dietetics (subgroup 1; n = 428; 53.77%) and at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, major: veterinary medicine (subgroup 2; n = 368; 46.23%). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique including Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, MINI-COPE, PSS-10, and a self-questionnaire. The scores obtained by over half of the students were indicative of low global self-esteem, whereas over 80% of the students felt stress at a high intensity. Moreover, it was shown that the veterinary medicine students demonstrated a higher intensity of coping strategies, i.e., active coping (p < 0.04) and planning (p < 0.02), than medicine students. The study revealed that students, irrespective of the major, experienced high levels of stress. Self-esteem had a significant impact on the stress level and methods of coping with difficult situations in students of medicine. A majority of the students applied positive styles of coping with stress.

HEAT TOLERANCE INDEX IN DAIRY GOATS: CLASS REPORT

To evaluate the influence of the environment on the behavioral and physiological parameters of Saanen and alpine brown goats, disciplinary work was carried out in which a field experiment was conducted, in the municipality of Lajes do Cabugi, Rio Grande do Norte, on the Três property. Brothers, which is a dairy goat production farm. The adaptation of animals to the breeding environment is an important factor for them to have good health and achieve greater productivity, which is one of the objectives of the action of veterinarians, acting preventively (SOUZA et al., 2010; LOPES et al., 2012). When academics participate in pedagogical activities, they develop and prepare more completely for professional life. During the pedagogy, two specimens of each breed were used and observed over a 90-day interval. The following sequence of observations was adopted: 1st observation carried out at 9 am and the 2nd observation was carried out at 3 pm. All animals were female and carried out their normal grazing activities. The animals had access to pasture under identical conditions, as well as access to nutritional supplementation when they returned to the pen at night. The rectal and environmental temperature variables were recorded at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, and these were used by applying them in the ITC formula (1.0 ta – 20 d +60) (FERREIRA, 2011). The average results obtained were 32.67ºC for room temperature; rectal temperature of the Saanen and alpine brown in the morning and afternoon, respectively, were 40.18ºC and 39.95ºC in the morning; 39.8ºC and 39.75ºC in the afternoon. It was concluded, with the results obtained during the field classes, that the Saanen presented better results compared to the alpine brown for the edaphoclimatic conditions of the property where the research work was carried out. Pedagogically, this activity carried out in the field increases the learning efficiency of veterinary medicine students and favors their better training, reflecting the community's desires and everyone's well-being.

The effects of general anaesthesia on body temperature of dogs subjected to ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy performed by veterinary students in a teaching hospital

Hypothermia during anaesthesia is a significant concern in veterinary practice, as it can lead to various complications, making it essential to understand the factors that contribute to temperature regulation in animals undergoing surgical procedures. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the change in body temperature over the course of anaesthesia in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy, and determine the effect of gender, dose of premedication, weight, age and duration of anaesthesia of the change of body temperature over time. One-hundred and ten dogs (n=110) that underwent elective ovariohysterectomy (n=75) and orchiectomy (n=35) surgery performed by veterinary students at the University of Adelaide were enrolled in this study. Dogs’ anaesthesia records were evaluated for change in body temperature over the course of anaesthesia, and correlated with gender, two premedication doses of acepromazine (mg/kg), body weight (kg), age (months) and anaesthesia times (minutes). The analyses were performed at TPm (temperature at premedication), T0 (induction), T15, T30, T60, T90, T120 and TRec (recovery) minutes. Statistical analysis was performed using the GenStat software and included repeated measures analysis and ANOVA. Significance was considered when p < 0.05. The data showed a significant time-by-gender interaction with female dogs experienced a greater degree of heat loss than male dogs at T60 (p<0.01), T90 (p<0.01) and T120 (p<0.01). At recovery, female average temperature was higher than in males (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in body temperature when other covariates were used in the analysis. The core body temperature of female dogs decreased significantly over time compared to males, with the most pronounced differenced during the intraoperative period. However, the study’s retrospective nature and limited sample size may influence the generalizability of these findings.

Comparison of academic achievement, graduation competency and academic sustainability of veterinary students based on college admission processes

A university’s admission policy is established to select applicants who can successfully complete the curriculum. Thus, it is important to develop optimal admissions processes for applicant selection. This study was conducted to infer the most suitable admission processes for veterinary school applicants by examining academic achievement, graduation competency and academic sustainability. It was conducted on students admitted from 2009 to 2018 at one of the veterinary colleges in Korea. The admission methods were divided into, first the regular admission (RA) process, primarily reflecting the results of the College Scholastic Ability Test, and second, the rolling admission processes. The rolling processes were further divided into admission officer-based (AO), high school grade point average-based (GA), essay test-based (ET), admission for the underprivileged (UP) and admission for overseas Koreans and foreigners (OKF). The final grade point average was observed to be higher in the order of the GA, AO and RA groups. The survey on the veterinary graduation competency did not reveal any difference between the regular and rolling admission processes. However, among the latter, AO-based admission showed a higher ratio of outstanding competency levels. In terms of academic sustainability, OKF admission demonstrated a higher rate of failure while RA showed a higher rate of expulsion and dropout. Summarizing the above results, the most successful veterinary applicants were selected through AO-based admission. These results are meaningful in providing the basic information required to establish admission policies for veterinary colleges in Korea.

Global cross-sectional student survey on AI in medical, dental, and veterinary education and practice at 192 faculties

BackgroundThe successful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare depends on the global perspectives of all stakeholders. This study aims to answer the research question: What are the attitudes of medical, dental, and veterinary students towards AI in education and practice, and what are the regional differences in these perceptions?MethodsAn anonymous online survey was developed based on a literature review and expert panel discussions. The survey assessed students' AI knowledge, attitudes towards AI in healthcare, current state of AI education, and preferences for AI teaching. It consisted of 16 multiple-choice items, eight demographic queries, and one free-field comment section. Medical, dental, and veterinary students from various countries were invited to participate via faculty newsletters and courses. The survey measured technological literacy, AI knowledge, current state of AI education, preferences for AI teaching, and attitudes towards AI in healthcare using Likert scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc test.ResultsThe survey included 4313 medical, 205 dentistry, and 78 veterinary students from 192 faculties and 48 countries. Most participants were from Europe (51.1%), followed by North/South America (23.3%) and Asia (21.3%). Students reported positive attitudes towards AI in healthcare (median: 4, IQR: 3–4) and a desire for more AI teaching (median: 4, IQR: 4–5). However, they had limited AI knowledge (median: 2, IQR: 2–2), lack of AI courses (76.3%), and felt unprepared to use AI in their careers (median: 2, IQR: 1–3). Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences between the Global North and South (r = 0.025 to 0.185, all P < .001) and across continents (r = 0.301 to 0.531, all P < .001), with generally small effect sizes.ConclusionsThis large-scale international survey highlights medical, dental, and veterinary students' positive perceptions of AI in healthcare, their strong desire for AI education, and the current lack of AI teaching in medical curricula worldwide. The study identifies a need for integrating AI education into medical curricula, considering regional differences in perceptions and educational needs.Trial registrationNot applicable (no clinical trial).

The Importance Characteristics for Veterinary Workplace Clinical Training (WCT) in a Distributive Curriculum, from the Perspectives of Students, Academics, and Clinical Supervisors.

Veterinary students, academics, and clinical supervisors are likely to have different perspectives on what it takes to be prepared for workplace clinical training (WCT). Differing expectations could confuse students if they receive conflicting messages about the skills and attributes to which they should aspire. Furthermore, they may struggle to engage with the affordances that workplaces provide for learning if unprepared. Using a survey, we ranked 91 preparedness characteristics and seven preparedness themes for WCT for importance, according to clinical supervisors, academics, and final-year veterinary students before and after undergoing WCT in a UK veterinary school employing a distributive model of WCT. Statistical analyses were used to determine 1) rank alignment and 2) significant differences in characteristic and theme rank among groups. The correlation among characteristic rankings was strongest between students and clinical supervisors, and weakest between clinical supervisors and academics. Honesty, integrity and dependability was the most important characteristic for students and clinical supervisors, whereas students' awareness that perfection is not expected was the most important characteristic for academics. The "knowledge" theme was ranked as significantly more important for academics compared to students pre-WCT. Therefore, differences in the expectations of students starting WCT have been demonstrated in this study. As the educational setting transitions from "classroom to clinic", academics and students must adapt their notions of preparedness to align with conceptions of learning and teaching in the workplace, while supervisors should be mindful of students' pre-existing expectations. Continuous communication and expectation alignment are necessary for a cohesive curriculum strategy.

The Short-Term Impact of Educational Programs on Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Antimicrobial Stewardship among Veterinary Students in Serbia.

Effective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is crucial for combating the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in veterinary medicine. Educational programs targeting veterinary students can play a significant role in shaping their knowledge and attitudes toward antimicrobial use and stewardship. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of educational programs on the knowledge and attitudes regarding AMS among veterinary students in Serbia. A structured educational program on AMS was implemented for veterinary students at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad. Pre- and post-symposium assessments were conducted to measure changes in students' knowledge and attitudes. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and focus groups, to gather quantitative and qualitative data. The study resulted in significant short-term improvements in students' knowledge of AMS principles and their attitudes toward responsible antimicrobial use. Participants demonstrated a better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance and the importance of adhering to stewardship guidelines. Qualitative feedback indicated increased awareness of the consequences of inappropriate antimicrobial use and a stronger commitment to applying stewardship practices in their future careers. The educational programs effectively enhanced immediate veterinary students' knowledge and attitudes regarding AMS. These findings underscore the importance of integrating targeted educational programs into veterinary curricula to promote responsible antimicrobial use and combat resistance in veterinary practice.

Making the invisible visible: Effectiveness of a training program to increase awareness and biosecurity compliance in poultry barn anterooms, using glowing substances

Biosecurity is the cornerstone of prevention strategies to limit infectious pathogen spread between poultry farms. However, poor compliance of biosecurity measures is often observed when entering or exiting barns. The lack of knowledge, understanding, risk perception or technical skill are often described for anteroom-related biosecurity errors (i.e., not respecting anteroom zoning in relation to changing boots, clothing, and hand sanitation). In this study, we designed and assessed the efficacy of an intervention aiming at improving biosecurity compliance in anterooms, using substances glowing under ultraviolet light, which mimic microbiological contamination. Training exercises offered in a single session were proposed to 145 participants with an interest in animal farming (veterinary students, agricultural students, poultry farmers and poultry farm advisors). The exercises’ efficacy was assessed by measuring the change in attitude and intentions of participants about specific biosecurity measures. The participants’ attitudes and intentions were quantified using a questionnaire before and after training. The change in score was assessed in a multivariate linear regression model to measure the effect of various parameters on this change. The attitudes and intentions of participants were statistically improved (p < 0.05) and were affected by the initial attitude and intention score, the gender of the participants and the status of the participant (type of student or activity in the poultry industry). The use of this exercise material, perceived as playful and engaging, could be included in the framework of biosecurity training for all stakeholders of the poultry industry.