title: Attitudes of veterinarians to undergraduate education in genetics and the use of genetics veterinary occupations.
abstract: A questionnaire regarding attitudes to undergraduate education in genetics and the subsequent use of that education was sent to 1000 veterinarians registered in New South Wales. Three hundred replies to the questionnaire were received and analysed. No significant difference in the perceived adequacy of courses at the four universities involved in teaching veterinary science was observed. Opinions on adequacy of education in genetics were not affected by age, sex or years since graduation. The major reason cited for lack of adequacy was that undergraduate genetics courses were not practical. Only 17 respondents stated that they were never approached for information on genetics or animal breeding, while 76 were approached more than 20 times annually for information. Eighty-three respondents claimed to deal with more than 20 cases annually that required some knowledge of genetics. The results of the questionnaire highlight the importance of genetics instruction in undergraduate veterinary education. The questionnaire responses also provide insight into how working veterinarians consider that courses in genetics could be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animal Medicine and Production, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fenwick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004520:Education, Veterinary; D005260:Female; D005823:Genetics / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians