title: Testing for Hendra virus: difficulties experienced by veterinarians in Queensland prior to 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the perceived barriers to Hendra virus (HeV) management by private equine veterinarians in Queensland.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory qualitative study of private equine veterinarians registered and working in coastal Queensland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire that included eight open-ended questions about the management of HeV was used in face-to-face in-depth interviews with 21 veterinary personnel working in equine or mixed private practice between Far North and South-East Queensland in 2009-10. The qualitative data was entered and analysed thematically using QSR's International's Nvivo 9 qualitative data analysis software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study revealed key issues associated with HeV testing: (1) inadequate knowledge of testing procedures and laboratory diagnostic pathways; (2) difficulty in accessing laboratory services; (3) responsibility for cost of collection and transport of specimen; and (4) the role of government. Participants perceived these issues as reducing potential HeV case management efficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although HeV management plans have been modified in part since 2009-10, this study highlights the importance of considering the perspectives of private veterinary practitioners in any biosecurity protocols.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, 4810, Queensland, Australia. Diana.Mendez@jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Judd
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Speare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary*; D045404:Hendra Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D045464:Henipavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Hendra virus; biosecurity; infection control; laboratory diagnosis; qualitative research; veterinarians