title: Understanding antimicrobial use and prescribing behaviours by pig veterinary surgeons and farmers: a qualitative study.
abstract: Increasing awareness of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in human beings and veterinary medicine has raised concerns over the issue of overprescribing and the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Their use in food-producing animals is under scrutiny due to the perceived risk from the zoonotic transfer of resistant pathogens from animals to human beings. This study used focus groups to explore the drivers and motivators behind antimicrobial use and prescribing by veterinary surgeons and farmers in the pig industry in the UK. Studies of two veterinary and four farmer focus groups were undertaken, each with between three and six participants, in three geographically distinct regions of low, moderate and high pig density in England. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcriptions revealed convergent themes, both within and across, the veterinary and farmer focus groups. Veterinary opinion was such that 'external pressures', such as pressure from clients, legislation and public perception, were considered to strongly influence prescribing behaviour, whereas, farmers considered issues surrounding farming systems and management to be greater drivers towards antimicrobial use. Acquiring such in-depth insight into the antimicrobial prescribing behaviours in veterinary medicine provides more detailed understanding of prescribing practice and will aid the development of interventions to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Pinchbeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: The George Pig Practice, High Street, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9AU, UK.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Latham
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013552:Swine; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents