Why do veterinarians ask for antimicrobial susceptibility testing? A qualitative study exploring determinants and evaluating the impact of antibiotic reduction policy.
Abstract: For public health reasons, increasing attention has focused on more rational use of antimicrobials in farm animals. Guidance concerning the prescription of antibiotics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiograms in this case) are beneficial tools to help control the development of antimicrobial resistance. Nevertheless, even though there are already several qualitative studies analysing the determinants of antimicrobial prescription and use in veterinary medicine, little is known about decision-making concerning the use of antibiograms. The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of veterinarians' motivations and role-players' influence concerning the choice of whether to ask for an antibiogram in the bovine, porcine, poultry and equine sectors in France. We concurrently evaluated the impact of a new French decree (2016) requiring an antibiogram before certain critically important antimicrobial agents can be used in veterinary medicine. Semi-structured interviews with veterinarians were conducted in France. Thematic analysis was used to analyse transcripts. In all, we surveyed 66 veterinarians. Use of antibiograms in veterinary medicine was multifactorial - 46 factors grouped into 11 categories were identified - and differed between animal sectors: use was almost systematic in poultry, frequent in pigs and rare in both the bovine and equine sectors. The decree has not increased the use of antibiograms but has induced a change in prescriptions due to field constraints and the time needed to obtain the results of antibiograms. Respondents see the decree as an aid in promoting responsible and rational use of antibiotics, fostering the use of alternatives. Our findings provide the basis of veterinarians' position regarding antibiogram use and antimicrobial resistance, pointing out levers to facilitate the use of antibiograms in veterinary medicine (for example communication on the benefits of this test and external financial support). Furthermore, the evaluation of the impact of the decree aimed at reducing the use of critically important antibiotic highlights key factors for a successful change in regulations, such as advance planning, precise and adapted communication, and demonstration of the measure's legitimacy. These results will be useful in guiding representative veterinary bodies and regulatory authorities during their decision-making, communication, and policy and regulation choices to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-09-11 PubMed ID: 30314775DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the factors influencing a veterinarian’s decision to employ antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiogram) within the bovine, porcine, poultry and equine sectors in France and the impact of a 2016 French policy aimed to minimize the usage of critically important antibiotics.
Research Context and Goal
The study explores the utilization of antibiotics in veterinary medicine, specifically in the context of antimicrobial resistance. It focuses on the decision-making process involving the use of antibiograms, an analysis that determines the sensitivity of bacteria towards specific antibiotics. The end goal is to identify factors and motives that inspire veterinarians to request for an antibiogram and assess the influence of regulatory groups on this decision. The research also evaluates the outcomes of a French decree from 2016 mandating antibiograms before the application of critically important antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with 66 veterinarians based in France.
- They applied thematic analysis on the interview transcripts to identify recurring themes and patterns on the approach towards the use of antibiograms.
Key Findings
- A total of 46 factors influencing the utilization of antibiograms were identified and grouped into 11 categories.
- The study found that the use of antibiograms was not uniform across all animal sectors.
- It was almost an automatic process in poultry, common in pigs, but rare in bovines and equines.
- Interestingly, the French 2016 decree was not found to enhance the use of antibiograms.
- However, it did create a change in prescription practices due to complications in the field and the time required to obtain antibiogram results.
- Veterinarians appreciated the decree as it promoted responsible and rational antibiotic usage and encouraged the exploration of alternative options.
Implications and Recommendations
- This research provides valuable insights into the attitudes of veterinarians towards antibiogram usage and the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
- The study recommends effective communication about the benefits of antibiograms and external financial support to facilitate its usage.
- The results of the French decree analysis indicate that careful planning, precise communication, and proof of the measure’s legitimacy are crucial for the successful implementation of regulation changes.
- These findings can assist veterinary bodies and regulatory authorities in decision-making and policy formulation to battle against antimicrobial resistance.
Cite This Article
APA
Bourély C, Fortané N, Calavas D, Leblond A, Gay É.
(2018).
Why do veterinarians ask for antimicrobial susceptibility testing? A qualitative study exploring determinants and evaluating the impact of antibiotic reduction policy.
Prev Vet Med, 159, 123-134.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- École Nationale des Services Vétérinaires, VetagroSup, 69280, Marcy l'Étoile, France; Lyon University-ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, Unité Épidémiologie, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007, Lyon, France; EPIA, Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques, INRA, VetagroSup, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France.
- IRISSO, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Dauphine, PSL Research University, 75016, Paris, France.
- Lyon University-ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, Unité Épidémiologie, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007, Lyon, France.
- EPIA, Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques, INRA, VetagroSup, Université de Lyon, 69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France.
- Lyon University-ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, Unité Épidémiologie, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007, Lyon, France. Electronic address: emilie.gay@anses.fr.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Clinical Competence
- Decision Making
- France
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests / statistics & numerical data
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
- Veterinarians / psychology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Lagrange J, Amat JP, Ballesteros C, Damborg P, Grönthal T, Haenni M, Jouy E, Kaspar H, Kenny K, Klein B, Lupo A, Madec JY, Salomonsen CM, Müller E, Madero CM, Nilsson O, Norström M, Nykäsenoja S, Overesch G, Pedersen K, Pohjanvirta T, Slowey R, Justo CT, Urdahl AM, Zafeiridis C, Zini E, Cazeau G, Jarrige N, Collineau L. Pilot testing the EARS-Vet surveillance network for antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens from animals in the EU/EEA.. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1188423.
- Mader R, Muñoz Madero C, Aasmäe B, Bourély C, Broens EM, Busani L, Callens B, Collineau L, Crespo-Robledo P, Damborg P, Filippitzi ME, Fitzgerald W, Heuvelink A, van Hout J, Kaspar H, Norström M, Pedersen K, Pohjanvirta T, Pokludova L, Dal Pozzo F, Slowey R, Teixeira Justo C, Urdahl AM, Vatopoulos A, Zafeiridis C, Madec JY, Amat JP. Review and Analysis of National Monitoring Systems for Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Bacterial Pathogens in Europe: A Basis for the Development of the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network in Veterinary Medicine (EARS-Vet).. Front Microbiol 2022;13:838490.
- Abdalhamed AM, Ghazy AA, Ibrahim ES, Arafa AA, Zeedan GSG. Therapeutic effect of biosynthetic gold nanoparticles on multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella species isolated from ruminants.. Vet World 2021 Dec;14(12):3200-3210.
- Vidović J, Stojanović D, Cagnardi P, Kladar N, Horvat O, Ćirković I, Bijelić K, Stojanac N, Kovačević Z. Farm Animal Veterinarians' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in the Republic of Serbia.. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022 Jan 5;11(1).
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- Golding SE, Ogden J, Higgins HM. Examining the Effect of Context, Beliefs, and Values on UK Farm Veterinarians' Antimicrobial Prescribing: A Randomized Experimental Vignette and Cross-Sectional Survey.. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 Apr 15;10(4).
- Mader R, Jarrige N, Haenni M, Bourély C, Madec JY, Amat JP. OASIS evaluation of the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in diseased animals (RESAPATH): success factors underpinning a well-performing voluntary system.. Epidemiol Infect 2021 Apr 20;149:e104.
- Verliat F, Hemonic A, Chouet S, Le Coz P, Liber M, Jouy E, Perrin-Guyomard A, Chevance A, Delzescaux D, Chauvin C. An efficient cephalosporin stewardship programme in French swine production.. Vet Med Sci 2021 Mar;7(2):432-439.
- Cerbu C, Kah M, White JC, Astete CE, Sabliov CM. Fate of Biodegradable Engineered Nanoparticles Used in Veterinary Medicine as Delivery Systems from a One Health Perspective.. Molecules 2021 Jan 20;26(3).
- Adam CJM, Fortané N, Ducrot C, Paul MC. Transition Pathways Toward the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials: The Case of Free-Range Broiler Farmers in France.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:548483.
- Prescott J. Convenient antimicrobial product versus protection of public health - A comment.. Can Vet J 2020 Aug;61(8):811.
- Adam CJM, Fortané N, Coviglio A, Delesalle L, Ducrot C, Paul MC. Epidemiological assessment of the factors associated with antimicrobial use in French free-range broilers.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Jun 28;15(1):219.
- Bourély C, Cazeau G, Jarrige N, Leblond A, Madec JY, Haenni M, Gay E. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from dogs with otitis.. Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e121.
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