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Veterinary practitioners in rural Australia: a national survey
Author(s) -
HEATH TJ,
NIETHE GE
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb13014.x
Subject(s) - remuneration , work (physics) , scope (computer science) , rural area , rural management , scope of practice , medical education , veterinary medicine , medicine , public relations , business , rural development , economic growth , political science , agriculture , geography , engineering , mechanical engineering , health care , archaeology , finance , pathology , computer science , economics , programming language
Objectives To assess the attitudes of Australian veterinarians to issues related to rural veterinary practice. Methods A questionnaire was completed by 1367 AVA members, and the data were analysed using the SAS System for Windows 7.0. Results The country lifestyle and the type of work were seen as major advantages for rural practitioners, and long working hours and after hours demands coupled with sexist attitudes in the case of women, were seen as the main disadvantages. Remuneration, the tiring and often dangerous nature of the work, and social and professional isolation were also seen as major disadvantages. Personal qualities, including the ability to relate to rural people and to fit into rural communities were seen as the most important qualities for a veterinarian in rural practice. The future of rural practitioners was seen to be closely linked to their ability to contribute to the financial viability of the whole animal enterprise and to the fortunes of the rural industries. Companion animals were also seen as a key part of the future work of rural practitioners. Conclusions Rural practitioners are characterised by a strong commitment to rural life and work, and they will increasingly be required to contribute to the financial viability of the whole animal enterprise. The full range of professional skills required are likely to be beyond the scope of the undergraduate veterinary course, but the internet and other modern forms of distance education should help practitioners to acquire relevant skills.