A multinational survey of companion animal veterinary clinicians: How can antimicrobial stewardship guidelines be optimised for the target stakeholder?

S. Farrell, A. F. Bagcigil, S. C. Chaintoutis, C. Firth, F. G. Aydin, C. Hare, M. Maaland, A. Mateus, A. P. Vale, U. Windahl, P. Damborg, D. Timofte, D. Singleton, F. Allerton*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

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Abstract

Antimicrobial stewardship initiatives are widely regarded as a cornerstone for ameliorating the global healthimpact of antimicrobial resistance. Within companion animal health, such efforts have largely focused ondevelopment and dissemination of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines (ASGs). However, there have been fewattempts to understand veterinarian attitudes towards and knowledge of ASGs or to determine how awarenessregarding ASGs might best be increased. An online survey regarding ASGs was formulated for veterinarians whotreat companion animals. The survey was distributed across 46 European and associated countries between 12January and 30 June, 2022. In total, 2271 surveys were completed, with 64.9% of respondents (n = 1474)reporting awareness and usage of at least one ASG. Respondents from countries with greater awareness of ASGstended to report more appropriate use of antimicrobials (Spearman’s rank coefficient = 0.6084, P ≤ 0.001), withrespondents from countries with country-specific ASGs tending to score highest across both awareness andappropriate use domains. Respondents prioritised guidance around antimicrobial choice (82.0%, n = 1863),duration of treatment (66.0%, n = 1499), and dosage (51.9%, n = 1179) for inclusion in future ASGs, with 78.0%(n = 1776) of respondents preferring ASGs to be integrated into their patient management system. Awareness ofASGs and their use in companion animal veterinary practice appears to be greater than previously reported, withrespondents tending to report antimicrobial prescription decision making broadly in line with current clinicalrecommendations. However, further initiatives aimed at maximising accessibility to ASGs both within countriesand individual veterinary practices are recommended.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer106045
TidsskriftVeterinary Journal
Vol/bind303
Antal sider8
ISSN1090-0233
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
The study is a part of the ongoing work within the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action ENOVAT (European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment), which was established in 2019 (Reference: CA18217). COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation. The overall aim of ENOVAT is to optimize veterinary antimicrobial use with special emphasis on the development of antimicrobial treatment guidelines and refinement of microbiological diagnostic procedures. The authors would like to thank ENOVAT country representatives and other members for both their support and help with translation and dissemination of the survey. Linnaeus Veterinary Limited supported the costs of the Open Access Publication Charges.

Publisher Copyright:
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