Experiences with a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of equine diseases in Switzerland.
Abstract: Clinical observations made by practitioners and reported using web- and mobile-based technologies may benefit disease surveillance by improving the timeliness of outbreak detection. Equinella is a voluntary electronic reporting and information system established for the early detection of infectious equine diseases in Switzerland. Sentinel veterinary practitioners have been able to report cases of non-notifiable diseases and clinical symptoms to an internet-based platform since November 2013. Telephone interviews were carried out during the first year to understand the motivating and constraining factors affecting voluntary reporting and the use of mobile devices in a sentinel network. We found that non-monetary incentives attract sentinel practitioners; however, insufficient understanding of the reporting system and of its relevance, as well as concerns over the electronic dissemination of health data were identified as potential challenges to sustainable reporting. Many practitioners are not yet aware of the advantages of mobile-based surveillance and may require some time to become accustomed to novel reporting methods. Finally, our study highlights the need for continued information feedback loops within voluntary sentinel networks.
Publication Date: 2016-02-05 PubMed ID: 26846449PubMed Central: PMC9150615DOI: 10.1017/S0950268816000091Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Public Health
- Survey Study
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
Summary
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The research is about Equinella, a voluntary electronic reporting system in Switzerland for early detection of equine diseases, and explores the motivating factors and challenges for its use among veterinary practitioners. It also examines the adoption of mobile technologies in reporting these diseases.
Objective of the Research
- The main goal of this study was to understand the experiences of veterinary practitioners in Switzerland using Equinella, a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of infectious equine diseases. The research looked at the factors that motivate or deter these professionals from using the system including their adoption of web and mobile-based technologies in reporting instances of diseases.
Methods and Process
- The researchers carried out telephone interviews during the system’s first year of implementation. These interviews were designed to gain insight into the practitioners’ motivations, incentives, and constraints in using the system.
Key Findings
- The study found that non-monetary incentives such as aiding in the early detection and control of diseases were significant attraction factors for the veterinary practitioners using Equinella.
- It was discovered that potential challenges to sustainable reporting included a lack of clear understanding of the reporting system and its importance, as well as concerns over the security of health data disseminated electronically.
- The researchers observed that many practitioners were not fully aware of the benefits of utilizing mobile technology for disease surveillance and reporting. This implies a need for further training or information dissemination about the use of the platform.
Implications of the Findings
- The findings emphasize the need for a feedback mechanism within the voluntary sentinel networks to ensure active participation from the practitioners and effective operation of the system.
- The study also suggests that more efforts are needed to educate veterinary practitioners on the benefits of mobile-based surveillance and salient features of this reporting system to improve its acceptance and usage.
Cite This Article
APA
Struchen R, Hadorn D, Wohlfender F, Balmer S, Süptitz S, Zinsstag J, Vial F.
(2016).
Experiences with a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of equine diseases in Switzerland.
Epidemiol Infect, 144(9), 1830-1836.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268816000091 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
- Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office,Bern,Switzerland.
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute,University of Basel,Switzerland.
- Veterinary Public Health Institute,Vetsuisse Faculty,University of Bern,Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Notification / methods
- Early Diagnosis
- Epidemiological Monitoring
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Internet
- Interviews as Topic
- Switzerland / epidemiology
References
This article includes 20 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Grajeda LM, McCracken JP, Berger-González M, López MR, Álvarez D, Méndez S, Pérez O, Cordón-Rosales C, Zinsstag J. Sensitivity and representativeness of one-health surveillance for diseases of zoonotic potential at health facilities relative to household visits in rural Guatemala.. One Health 2021 Dec;13:100336.
- Özçelik R, Remy-Wohlfender F, Küker S, Visschers V, Hadorn D, Dürr S. Potential and Challenges of Community-Based Surveillance in Animal Health: A Pilot Study Among Equine Owners in Switzerland.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:641448.
- Garza M, Ågren ECC, Lindberg A. Nudging in Animal Disease Control and Surveillance: A Qualitative Approach to Identify Strategies Used to Improve Compliance With Animal Health Policies.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:383.
- Özçelik R, Graubner C, Remy-Wohlfender F, Dürr S, Faverjon C. Evaluating 5.5 Years of Equinella: A Veterinary-Based Voluntary Infectious Disease Surveillance System of Equines in Switzerland.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:327.
- Dórea FC, Vial F. Animal health syndromic surveillance: a systematic literature review of the progress in the last 5 years (2011-2016).. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:157-170.
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