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AHVLA survey confirms veterinary profession’s interest in pathology skills CPD

A survey of 350 veterinary surgeons conducted by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has confirmed an appetite from the veterinary profession for diagnostic investigation and pathology skills training,

AHVLA’s new model for scanning surveillance activities in England and Wales (Surveillance 2014) relies less on Government funded post mortem examinations for surveillance activity, but recognises the need to improve access to diagnostic services for farmers. This relies heavily on private veterinary surgeons (PVS) improving their farm animal gross pathology skills and working in direct partnership with fallen stock sites to carry out first opinion post mortem examinations and targeted sampling for more detailed investigations.

AHVLA met with representatives from universities, the Royal College of Pathologists, SRUC (formerly SAC) and other partners to discuss options for improving PVS gross pathology skills. All parties agreed that a survey be undertaken to evaluate the appetite for diagnostic investigation and gross pathology skills CPD.

The key objectives for the survey were:

  • To find out the previous experience of carrying out post mortems and experience in relevant CPD.
  • To find out the most favoured style of CPD.
  • To find out how much PVS would expect to pay for their CPD.

Key findings:

  • Findings of the survey indicate that post mortem training in farm animal species would be welcomed by the PVS community. Accreditation resulting in a certificate was deemed useful but not essential.
  • PVS are already carrying out PME’s with the majority (83%) of PME’s being undertaken on farmed animal species.
  • Most popular preference for general diagnostic and investigation skills CPD was classroom style with practical elements.
  • 68% of respondents had not undertaken any CPD in general diagnostic and investigation skills in the past two years.
  • Under a third of respondents had completed CPD in general diagnostic and investigation skills in the past two years whilst only a fifth had completed CPD in gross pathology skills in the past two years.

Following the results of this survey, in the context of new approaches to scanning surveillance activities in England and Wales, a working group including universities, SRUC/SAC, other interested organisations, AHVLA, RCPath and RCVS has been set up to scope and develop training solutions, and is due to meet on 6 October.

Results of survey:

Survey into demand for diagnostic investigation and pathology skills CPD

From 1 October AHVLA has become part of the new Animal and Plant Health Agency. For more information see the Defra news release on GOV.UK.

Published: 30 September 2014