The Importance of Prompt Response of the Field Veterinarian through Modern Communication Channels - Research Proposal Example

Chapter One Introduction Background The Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides and passes information to field veterinarian through the central chamber of information and emergency. Communication to the field veterinarian is through modern communication channels such as SMS, Email and call. Communication to field veterinarian must be prompt so that appropriate decisions can be made very quickly. Information on animal diseases is usually sent to the field veterinary for necessary action. The reporting system involves use of electronic reporting system. The core responsibility of the field veterinary is to respond swiftly to the information in order to deal with the local situation. Mobile based technologies, effective surveillance systems and well trained field veterinarians assist in the effective sharing of field information between field Veterinarians and central information and emergency systems. Problem statement The importance of prompt response to information provided by the ministry has been outlined above. The time response from the time that a field veterinarian has been informed of a problem (eg a disease) and the veterinarian response is critical delayed response from the veterinarian may result in spread of the disease. At present there is no information about the response time of field veterinarian when alerted of a disease in the field. There is also no information about the time frame between the veterinarian response and the reporting of action taken by the veterinarian. Hence the aim of this study is to measure the time frame for veterinarian response to disease problem in the field. Relevance of research project The kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents a market with rapid development. This development requires use of modern technology. Animal diseases are very common due to poor sharing of information between field veterinarians and the officials in the ministry of agriculture. Poor sharing of information leads to slow response to disease outbreak and related emergencies in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Non- sharing of information also mean delayed response to problems and within the context of veterinary may mean spread of disease. Non- response to veterinarian disease emergencies in the field which could result in spread of disease from animal to animal and from animal to human. The ministry is looking to address the issue of sharing important information so that prompt action can be take by veterinarians. In order to improve the sharing of information and ways of sharing that information, it is necessary to explore the response time under the current practice.) Research questions a. What is the length of time of response by field veterinarians from the time they receive a report of a field issue to the time of being to site of the disease? b. What is the impact of information and emergency systems on the speed of response from visit location to closing of case. Chapter Two Literature Review  The concept of animal disease information The concept of animal disease information is considered part of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s initiatives for the promotion of quality animal health (Scudamore & Harris, 2002). The rationale for the concept emanates from the reasoning that where there is sufficient disease information about animals, it is possible to get the best form of disease treatment for animals (Weldemeskel & Ashenafi, 2003) and hence prevent the spread of the disease. Kroschewski et al. (2006) therefore posited that animal disease information is a practice that is necessary for lay people as well as those given professional training to handle animals and deal with animal diseases. Babalobi (2007) supported the notion that animal disease information should be extented to include the public as stakeholders by explaining most animals, especially those that have their habitant within human settlements are found with ordinary people who keep them as pets and for other domestic use. Hence, it is important that such people keeping animals will have adequate knowledge and information about animal disease so that they will know the most fundamental and initial steps to take when signs of disease surface. Engel, Choi, Theller and Lim (2004) on the other hand criticised the idea of putting animal disease information in the hands of non-professionals, fearing that this could be an avenue for people to attempt diagnosing and treating animals when indeed they do not have the professional competence to do so. With caution taken, it will be understood that animal disease information can best be given when the recipient is told exactly what he or she has the right to do and what he or she does not have the right to do. Promoting animal health through Animal disease information systems Animal disease information system (ADIS) is an advanced form of animal disease information, aimed at providing information systems specially dedicated for animal disease (Norstrom, 2001). As an information system, the ADIS is used as a platform where detailed information by disease and country are gathered and stored in a common database (Dessie & Jobre, 2004). In order to ensure accuracy of the system, there is periodic review of the system to ensure that it is based on at least six-monthly or annual reports submitted to the right people having the authority and professional knowledge to handle data. Unlike animal disease information, the ADIS is not expected to be for public use but does not exclude members of the public as stakeholders. For example members of the public are considered clients whose needs are served through the information stored in the database. In the KSA, the Central Chamber of information and emergency is responsible for the country’s ADIS, having a database of different animal disease information based on animal type and disease. In the literature, one major issue that is commonly discussed about ADIS has to do with whether to centralise or decentralise the information system. Supporting the need for a centralised ADIS, Willeberg (1980) opined that a centralised system ensures that monitoring is effective and easy to be carried out. Renter (2002) however, criticised the centralised system, indicating that it hampers on efficiency, whereby delays are caused in the implementation of disease assistance programmes. With decentralised systems, a country may be divided into different regions, each of which would have its own system to enhance accessibility. Sprague and Carlson (1982) argued that the time spent from the arrival of report to the system to the time that a veterinarian is called to act on the report is very important and can best be achieved when there is a decentralised system in place. Component of animal disease emergency preparedness plan Priester (2005) pointed out that having ADIS is a good step towards ensuring the welfare of animals but that alone does not guarantee efficiency. For there to be efficiency therefore, the use of animal disease emergency preparedness plan is recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). As part of its corporate document repository, the FAO noted that a preparedness plan is necessary because it ensures that the stakeholders responsible for the promotion of animal health in countries are not taken by surprise in responding to any animal health issue (FAO, 2014). To ensure comprehensiveness, the FAO recommends that a preparedness plan will comprise certain crucial components. The first of this is disease surveillance, which refers to the practice of investigating and looking out for early warning of disease, planning and monitoring of disease (FAO, 2014). Supporting this component, Wurtz and Popovich (2002) stressed that surveillance is relevant in animal disease emergency because it ensures preventive care, where signs of diseases are identified early enough and prevented from escalating. The second component recommended by the FAO is the use of emergency disease reporting and information system. As the name suggests, this is a system that provides a common platform where all information on pertaining to animal health can be reported for further expert action and intervention. One other important component for a preparedness plan is the training of veterinarians and other animal health staff. This is a practice that has been said to be highly important as it ensures that professionals responsible for animal health are always up-to-date in terms of skills and knowledge and about the best approaches to use in addressing animal health issues (Ward, Maftei, Apostu & Suru, 2007). Last but not least, the issue of farmer awareness and education has been considered to be very necessary as it ensures that farmers will become knowledgeable stakeholders who will know the right form of information to give to health experts when they use reporting systems (Russell, Rowlands, Shaw & Weaver, 1982). References Babalobi, O. O., (2007). “Veterinary geographic information systems applications in Nigeria: limitations, challenges and needs”, Veterinaria Italiana, Vol. 43 No. 3, pp. 491-499. Dessie, T. & Jobre, Y. (2004). “A review of the importance and control of NCD in Ethiopia” Ethiopia veterinary Journal, Vol. 8 No. 1, Pp. 71-81. Engel, B. A., Choi, J., Theller, L., Lim, K. J., (2004). Carcass Disposal: A Comprehensive Review. Kansas State University, USA: National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, FAO (2014). Manual on the preparation of national animal disease emergency preparedness plan. 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