AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

Extramural placements (EMPs) in private practice are an integral part of veterinary undergraduate training. Their purpose is to prepare students for professional life by enhancing their clinical and non-clinical skills. Previous research has shown that veterinary infection control (IC) needs to improve in Australia. The aim of this study was to survey final veterinary students from two Australian Universities in order to determine the role of EMPs in the development of IC skills. Students were asked questions about their zoonotic risk perceptions, their IC knowledge and their IC experiences during their EMPs. Most assessed zoonotic risks adequately and had a good knowledge of IC principles. However, some reported following substandard IC measures during their EMPs, despite identifying this as a problem. This was done to conform to the professional identity portrayed by their EMP mentors. To sustainably improve veterinary IC in Australia the quality of IC training during EMPs needs to be addressed