Epidemiology Skill Development: the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology’s Training Modules and Field Research Projects — The Association Specialists
  1. Schedule
  2. Oral Presentations - Strengthening the future epidemiological workforce across the region
  3. Epidemiology Skill Development: the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology’s Training Modules and Field Research Projects

Epidemiology Skill Development: the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology’s Training Modules and Field Research Projects (23840)

Simon Firestone 1 , Navneet K Dhand 2 , Charles Caraguel 2 3 , Sandra Steele 1 2 , Mieghan Bruce 4 , Abrao J Pereira 5 , Andres Perez 6 , Andy Yombo 7 , Anke Wiethoelter 1 , Annette Burgess 2 , Caitlin Pfeiffer 1 , Jenny-Ann Toribio 2 , Joerg Henning 8 , Mark Stevenson 1 , Marta Hernandez-Jover 9 , Emilie Vallee 10 , Naomi Cogger 10 , Phuc Pham Duc 11 , Rodel J Vitor 12 , Shumaila Arif 2 , Siti Z Ramanoon 13 , Sothyra Tum 14 , Vannaphone Puthana 15
  1. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
  5. Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), Dili, East Timor
  6. University of Minnesota, Minnesota, MN, USA
  7. National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority, Port Moresby, PM, Papua New Guinea
  8. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  9. Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW, Australia
  10. Massey University, Palmeston North, NZ
  11. Institute of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development, Hanoi, Vietnam
  12. University of the Philippines, Manila, The Philippines
  13. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpa, KL, Malaysia
  14. National Animal Health and Production Research Institute, General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  15. Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos, Vientiane, Laos PDR

Background

Veterinary epidemiologists play a key role in One Health through improving understanding, preventing and controlling in animals thus improving the health of human and animal populations and the environment. This presentation will overview a regional field veterinary epidemiology training program, including open-access resources for building regional capacity and confronting the threat of emerging infectious diseases at source.

 

Methods

The Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE, https://www.apcove.com.au/) was established in 2020, bringing together 50 animal health experts from all veterinary schools in Australia and New Zealand, and eight partner countries: Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. APCOVE implemented an innovative model for intermediate-level training based on development of 36 eLearning modules, available in six languages, complemented by in-country study design and manuscript writing workshops, epidemiology field research projects. Pre- and post-competency surveys and focus group discussions were conducted to evaluate program outcomes.

 

Results

The 36 eLearning modules developed cover six competencies: fundamental concepts, outbreak investigation and response, surveillance and data analysis, risk assessment and disease control, One Health and biosecurity, and leadership and communication. These have been delivered to 219 candidates across eight countries. Additionally, 31 trainees have completed mentored field projects, 40 more projects are underway and 10 candidates have undertaken visiting fellowships to Australia for advanced training. Participants reported improvements in their competence and provided examples of applying newly learnt skills in their workplace.

 

Conclusion

The successful training of candidates demonstrates the effectiveness of this blended approach, combining online training with practical field projects. The materials and approaches developed . The network of expertise and freely available materials can be used to rapidly develop and support epidemiology capacities, supplementing existing applied (field) epidemiology training programs or for countries and regions lacking such opportunities.