Publication Database

Veterinarian risk communication for the prevention of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (2025)

Art

Vortrag

Autoren

Arnecke, Amelie Lisa (WE 1)

Schwarz, Stefan (WE 7)

Lübke-Becker, Antina (WE 7)

Jensen, Katharina Charlotte (WE 16)

Bahramsoltani, Mahtab (WE 1)

Kongress

14th PhD and Doctoral Symposium

Berlin, 18.09.2025

Quelle

The 14th PhD and Doctoral Symposium : Abstract booklet — Berliner Tierärztliche Gesellschaft e.V., Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer der Veterinärmedizin an der Freien Universität Berlin e.V. (Hrsg.)

— S. 9

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.calameo.com/read/00803743785c6e95a9210

Kontakt

Institut für Veterinär-Anatomie

Koserstr. 20
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 75784
anatomie@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Introduction: The contact with animals has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of people. However, close interactions can potentially pose health risks, particularly connected to zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Medical professionals, including veterinarians, play a central role in providing information on associated health risks to pet owners. However, to communicate effectively, they should not only be aware of risks, such as vulnerable individuals, but also have good communication skills. Furthermore, understanding how pet owners perceive veterinarian communication is important to adapt communication strategies.
Material and Methods: An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to dog, cat, or exotic pet owners in Germany with the aim to gather insights into pet ownership, veterinary consultation and veterinarian risk communication regarding zoonoses and AMR.
Results: Various risk factors, including vulnerable individuals, imported animals, feeding practices involving raw meat and the detection of zoonotic pathogens or AMR were regularly present. In addition, pet owners have a high level of satisfaction with veterinarian communication. A long-lasting veterinarian-client relationship was associated with a higher frequency of communication on zoonoses and AMR and a higher score of communication quality. However, surveyed owners also expressed a desire for more information and reported a low amount of distributed information material.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for targeted veterinarian communication addressing the potential health risks associated with zoonotic diseases and AMR among German pet owners. Given the high level of trust pet owners place in veterinarians, they are positioned to promote risk awareness. This emphasizes the importance of strengthening veterinary training and education in risk communication, both through integration into veterinary curricula and ongoing training. Moreover, the availability and use of information material on zoonoses and AMR should be expanded in veterinary practices to complement and reinforce the oral risk communication.