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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(3); 563-573; doi: 10.1111/evj.13469

Challenges to exotic disease preparedness in Great Britain: The frontline veterinarian’s perspective.

Abstract: Exotic diseases pose a significant risk to horse health and welfare. Several stakeholder groups, including primary care veterinarians, share responsibility for maintaining freedom from pathogens that cause exotic diseases. However, little is known about the current state of exotic disease preparedness within the British horse industry. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore equine veterinarians' experiences of, and attitudes towards, exotic disease preparedness in Great Britain. Methods: This is a qualitative interview-based study. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 primary care equine veterinarians in Great Britain. Participants were purposively selected to include perspectives across varying levels of experience, clientele and location. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were developed: (a) the reactive generalist, relating to participants' self-concept of their role as primary care practitioners; (b) working within the bounds of influence, encompassing participants' perceived inability to influence their clients' knowledge and behaviours and (c) a fragmented horse industry, illustrating the wider culture in which participants worked, characterised by a lack of cohesion amongst its members. Conclusions: Only veterinarians' perspectives have been captured, so viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as horse owners and government officials, should be used to triangulate these findings. Conclusions: The findings suggest that improvements are required before an optimal level of exotic disease preparedness can be achieved. Additional support provided to frontline veterinarians, such as skills-based training (ie, clinical reasoning and collaborative relationship building), accessible and trusted emergency support networks and clear expectations and responsibilities during an outbreak are recommended to optimise exotic disease preparedness.
© 2021 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-24 PubMed ID: 34043828DOI: 10.1111/evj.13469Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study examines the experiences and attitudes of frontline equine veterinarians in Great Britain with regard to preparedness for exotic diseases. It suggests that, despite their role, these veterinarians see themselves as primarily reactive, have limited influence over clients and face a fragmented industry, all of which hinder effective preparation for exotic diseases. The study recommends further training, support networks and clear expectations during outbreaks to better prepare for these diseases.

Research Methodology

  • The research was qualitative in nature and relied on semi-structured interviews. Primary care equine veterinarians in Great Britain were the main participants. The researchers selected the participants deliberately to ensure a diverse representation of experience, clientele, and locations.
  • All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for a comprehensive text analysis. The researchers conducted a thematic analysis on the transcriptions to identify recurrent patterns or themes.

Findings

  • The findings were grouped into three key themes:
    • The “reactive generalist” theme showed that participants often saw themselves as reactionary in their role as primary care providers, rather than as proactive practitioners playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of exotic diseases.
    • “Working within the bounds of influence”: This theme revealed participants’ perceived inability to effectively influence their clients’ knowledge and behaviors regarding exotic diseases.
    • “A fragmented horse industry”: The participants voiced frustrations about the industry in which they work, characterized by a lack of unity among its members, which may hinder cohesive, industry-wide response to exotic diseases.
  • It’s important to note that only the perspectives of veterinarians were captured in this study. To validate these findings, future research should also involve other stakeholders like horse owners and government officials.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study suggests that preparations for dealing with exotic diseases in the British horse industry are currently suboptimal.
  • To improve preparedness, the study recommends the following measures:
    • Offer front-line veterinarians skills-based training on clinical reasoning and collaborative relationship building.
    • Create accessible and trusted emergency support networks to provide necessary help during an outbreak.
    • Establish clear expectations and responsibilities for veterinarians during an outbreak, to ensure a coordinated and efficient containment effort.

Cite This Article

APA
Spence KL, Rosanowski SM, Slater J, Cardwell JM. (2021). Challenges to exotic disease preparedness in Great Britain: The frontline veterinarian’s perspective. Equine Vet J, 54(3), 563-573. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13469

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 3
Pages: 563-573

Researcher Affiliations

Spence, Kelsey L
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Rosanowski, Sarah M
  • Equine Veterinary Consultants (EVC) Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Slater, Josh
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Cardwell, Jacqueline M
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • United Kingdom
  • Veterinarians

Grant Funding

  • The Alborada Trust

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Rosanowski SM, Magouras I, Ho WC, Yiu WCJ, Pfeiffer DU, Zeeh F. The challenges of pig farming in Hong Kong: a study of farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards a pig health and production management service. BMC Vet Res 2023 Feb 1;19(1):30.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03591-7pubmed: 36726131google scholar: lookup
  2. McGilvray TA, Stevens KB, Spence KL, Rosanowski SM, Slater J, Cardwell JM. Spatiotemporal patterns in British racing and equestrian sports: Implications for pathogen transmission. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):497-507.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.70126pubmed: 41351275google scholar: lookup
  3. Germann JA, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL, Spence KL. Biosecurity perceptions among Ontario horse owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):459-470.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14115pubmed: 38934765google scholar: lookup
  4. Tamayo Cuartero C, Szilassy E, Radford AD, Newton JR, Sánchez-Vizcaíno F. Setting clinically relevant thresholds for the notification of canine disease outbreaks to veterinary practitioners: an exploratory qualitative interview study. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1259021.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1259021pubmed: 38482169google scholar: lookup
  5. Spence KL, Rosanowski SM, Slater J, Cardwell JM. 'I want to be the sort of owner that he wants me to be': Rationales for biosecurity implementation among British horse owners. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):183-192.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14047pubmed: 38177092google scholar: lookup
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