Survey on Veterinary Student Perceptions of One Health at St

One Health is of critical importance to veterinary and medical education in the post-modern era, where both human and animal healths are increasingly impacted by zoonoses, environmental changes, and socioeconomic variables. It is vital to address the multiple facets of One Health at veterinary institutions, which may be neglected or misunderstood by students. This study, based in the Caribbean at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, is a preliminary evaluation of student perceptions of One Health. Pre-and post-course written surveys were assessed from students completing One Health-related courses. Although pre-course assessments showed agreement with provided One Health definitions, comparisons of pre- and post-course responses revealed statistically significant differences when the student’s country of origin was considered (p<0.05). In addition, gender difference was observed, including more females agreeing that One Health is important to veterinarians (p=0.011). This and future studies have the capacity to provide relevant insight into the development of Inter-professional educational initiatives with a global perspective. This study also illuminates potential gender differences in One Health understanding which merit future study, particularly given the higher influx of females into the profession. Further, exploration of the overall lack of consideration of environmental and socioeconomic concerns in One Health is pertinent for future curricula design at this institution and could also have relevance at other veterinary institutions.

Author(s): Rohini Roopnarine*, Cecilia Hegamin-Younger, Elizabeth Mossop and Shelly Rodrigo

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