Developing Frameworks for Implementation of Preventive Medicine Practices in Production Animal Settings

The use of preventive medicine practices in production animal enterprises, such as biosecurity measures and vaccination, has a number of benefits such as reduction of disease incidence and antimicrobial usage, and increased economic productivity (1,2). There have been issues reported with the implementation of preventive medicine practices in both human and veterinary clinical practice (3,4). There are a number of approaches used in other fields to assist with the implementation of prevention frameworks, in order to identify 'bottlenecks' and subsequent strategies to overcome them. This could provide a useful platform for the development of similar veterinary-based strategies.
The aim of this project is to use novel approaches for preventive medicine implementation in production animal enterprises and to develop a bespoke veterinary-specific framework for future use and deployment in a range of other animal or One Health scenarios. This aim will be achieved by using a cross-disciplinary mixed-methods approach working in partnership with farmers, veterinarians, industry representatives and health psychologists. The role will involve both desk-based and field-based components, working with small teams of farmers and veterinarians to develop interventions and evaluation frameworks. A range of data collection methods and analysis will be employed, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The candidate will be based at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham and will work with colleagues there and in the School of Medicine. The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (SVMS) undertakes research on many key aspects of companion animals and livestock health and production. Research undertaken at the School is relevant to both Veterinary Medicine and Science and Comparative and Human Medicine and is integrated within the University's established world class research in biomedical sciences.