title: Veterinary public health capacity in the United States: opportunities for improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2006, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges reported that the shortage (≥ 1,500) of public health veterinarians is expected to increase tenfold by 2020. In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Preventive Medicine Fellows conducted a pilot project among CDC veterinarians to identify national veterinary public health workforce concerns and potential policy strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fellows surveyed a convenience sample (19/91) of public health veterinarians at CDC to identify veterinary workforce recruitment and retention problems faced by federal agencies; responses were categorized into themes. A focus group (20/91) of staff veterinarians subsequently prioritized the categorized themes from least to most important. Participants identified activities to address the three recruitment concerns with the highest combined weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants identified the following three highest prioritized problems faced by federal agencies when recruiting veterinarians to public health: (1) lack of awareness of veterinarians' contributions to public health practice, (2) competitive salaries, and (3) employment and training opportunities. Similarly, key concerns identified regarding retention of public health practice veterinarians included: (1) lack of recognition of veterinary qualifications, (2) competitive salaries, and (3) seamless integration of veterinary and human public health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings identified multiple barriers that can affect recruitment and retention of veterinarians engaged in public health practice. Next steps should include replicating project efforts among a national sample of public health veterinarians. A committed and determined long-term effort might be required to sustain initiatives and policy proposals to increase U.S. veterinary public health capacity.
authors: US Food and Drug Administration, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Detroit, MI, USA. dwayne.jarman@fda.hhs.gov
authors: Dwayne W
authors: DW
authors: Jarman
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Liang
authors: Richard R
authors: RR
authors: Luce
authors: Jennifer G
authors: JG
authors: Wright
authors: Gail M
authors: GM
authors: Stennies
authors: Kristine M
authors: KM
authors: Bisgard
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D002321:Career Choice; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D040381:Education, Public Health Professional / Q000639:trends*; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000639:trends*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D024382:Professional Role; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D014481:United States; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*