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Frontiers in veterinary science2016; 3; 116; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00116

Evidence in Practice – A Pilot Study Leveraging Companion Animal and Equine Health Data from Primary Care Veterinary Clinics in New Zealand.

Abstract: Veterinary practitioners have extensive knowledge of animal health from their day-to-day observations of clinical patients. There have been several recent initiatives to capture these data from electronic medical records for use in national surveillance systems and clinical research. In response, an approach to surveillance has been evolving that leverages existing computerized veterinary practice management systems to capture animal health data recorded by veterinarians. Work in the United Kingdom within the VetCompass program utilizes routinely recorded clinical data with the addition of further standardized fields. The current study describes a prototype system that was developed based on this approach. In a 4-week pilot study in New Zealand, clinical data on presentation reasons and diagnoses from a total of 344 patient consults were extracted from two veterinary clinics into a dedicated database and analyzed at the population level. New Zealand companion animal and equine veterinary practitioners were engaged to test the feasibility of this national practice-based health information and data system. Strategies to ensure continued engagement and submission of quality data by participating veterinarians were identified, as were important considerations for transitioning the pilot program to a sustainable large-scale and multi-species surveillance system that has the capacity to securely manage big data. The results further emphasized the need for a high degree of usability and smart interface design to make such a system work effectively in practice. The geospatial integration of data from multiple clinical practices into a common operating picture can be used to establish the baseline incidence of disease in New Zealand companion animal and equine populations, detect unusual trends that may indicate an emerging disease threat or welfare issue, improve the management of endemic and exotic infectious diseases, and support research activities. This pilot project is an important step toward developing a national surveillance system for companion animals and equines that moves beyond emerging infectious disease detection to provide important animal health information that can be used by a wide range of stakeholder groups, including participating veterinary practices.
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Publication Date: 2016-12-23 PubMed ID: 28066777PubMed Central: PMC5179563DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00116Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research article explores a pilot study carried out in New Zealand that uses health data gathered from companion animals and horses in primary care veterinary clinics to help develop a nation-wide surveillance system. The study leverages electronic medical records from day-to-day veterinary practice.

Objective of the Research

  • The primary objective of this research was to prototype a system that captures clinical data from veterinary clinics for use in nationwide surveillance and research. The system adopted an approach followed by the VetCompass program in the United Kingdom, where routine clinical details are recorded with additional standardized fields.

Pilot Study in New Zealand

  • A four-week pilot study was conducted where data from 344 patient consultations were extracted from two veterinary clinics and analyzed at the population level.
  • The purpose of the pilot study was to test the feasibility and engagement level of New Zealand companion animal and equine veterinary practitioners with the prototype system. The data extracted consisted of the reasons for presentation and diagnoses.

Key Considerations and Identified Strategies

  • To ensure ongoing engagement and submission of high-quality data by participating veterinarians, it was essential to identify appropriate strategies. Among these, the development of a secure system capable of managing big data was highlighted. This is crucial for the evolution of the pilot program into a comprehensive and multi-species surveillance system.
  • An effective and user-friendly interface was identified as critical for the system to simplify its use and increase its effectiveness in day-to-day practice. This would enable a high degree of usability and foster better interaction with the system.

Potential Benefits of the System

  • The research suggests that integrating data from multiple clinical practices into a common system may provide a detailed picture of disease baseline incidence in New Zealand’s companion animals and equine populations.
  • This system would also be crucial in detecting unusual trends that could indicate emerging disease threats or welfare issues, improving the management of endemic and exotic infectious diseases, and supporting research activities.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

  • This pilot project is deemed an essential step towards a national surveillance system for companion animals and equines in New Zealand. It aims to go beyond merely detecting emerging infectious diseases and contribute valuable health information for the benefit of various stakeholder groups, including participating veterinary practices.

Cite This Article

APA
Muellner P, Muellner U, Gates MC, Pearce T, Ahlstrom C, O'Neill D, Brodbelt D, Cave NJ. (2016). Evidence in Practice – A Pilot Study Leveraging Companion Animal and Equine Health Data from Primary Care Veterinary Clinics in New Zealand. Front Vet Sci, 3, 116. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2016.00116

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 3
Pages: 116
PII: 116

Researcher Affiliations

Muellner, Petra
  • Epi-interactive Ltd. , Wellington , New Zealand.
Muellner, Ulrich
  • Epi-interactive Ltd. , Wellington , New Zealand.
Gates, M Carolyn
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
Pearce, Trish
  • Equine Health Association , Wellington , New Zealand.
Ahlstrom, Christina
  • Epi-interactive Ltd. , Wellington , New Zealand.
O'Neill, Dan
  • The Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
Brodbelt, Dave
  • The Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
Cave, Nick John
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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