Growing Forward 2 - Final Report Project II | Page 59

AN ACTION AGENDA FOR VETERINARY STEWARDSHIP Table 25 (continued): An Action Agenda for Veterinary Stewardship of Antibiotic use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario Priority Initiative Proposed Tactics Promote, across species, the implementation of farm-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) for appropriate antibiotic use. 1. Veterinarians and producers review and evaluate existing implementation approaches. such as those utilized in existing commodity quality assurance programs 2. Promote the value of SOPs with consistent and effective messaging regarding the value of SOPs 3. Identify tools to facilitate implementation of SOPs, including: a. tele-practice for remote areas b. incorporation into existing quality assurance programs c. commodity groups providing generic SOPs for adaptation by veterinarians and producers to be farm- specific d. commodity specific aspects of implementation 4. Veterinarians and producers continually update strategies for promotion of implementation of SOPs, by species and commodity 5. Devise a system for evaluation of the effectiveness of knowledge transfer strategies for SOPs Develop an education program for producers on appropriate on- farm antibiotic use. 1. Identify and evaluate existing education programs for producers on appropriate on-farm antibiotic use a. identify education programs which include components related to appropriate antibiotic use b. avoid potential redundancies and areas of overlap 2. Define goals of education program 3. Identify areas of need for enhanced education for producers, such as: a. evidence-based information b. understanding of alternatives to antibiotics c. understanding of value of program d. focus on animal health e. importance of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship f. importance of a diagnosis before using an antibiotic g. assisting producers in decision-making about use h. species and commodity specific information 4. Develop multi-media approaches to complement existing resources to support and educate producers, as needed 5. Devise a high-level strategy for implementation of producer training, including: a. assessment of opportunities for delivery, including: i. in conjunction with existing continuing education events ii. as a collaborative program with organizations such as OMAFRA iii. various media options so course is easily accessible by all b. frequency of course delivery c. core component and species-specific components d. involvement of stakeholders and industry groups e. possibility of peer group learning f. getting leaders on board g. consistent messaging around why the program is important 6. Establish and implement a review and update cycle of the tools utilized, and the content of the education program(s) 7. Assess knowledge transfer to ensure effectiveness of program 59  Setting an Action Agenda for Veterinary Stewardship of Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario