Schiavone Stephanie C M, Smith Sage M, Mazariegos Isabella, Salomon Michelle, Webb Tracy L, Carpenter Molly J, Baumgarn Stacey, Duncan Colleen G
J Vet Med Educ. 2022 Apr;49(2):260-266. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2020-0125. Epub 2021 May 6.
Climate change is one of the greatest public health threats of the twenty-first century. Recent surveys of veterinary students and practicing veterinarians have highlighted their concerns about the impacts of climate change on animal health and a strong desire to be knowledgeable about the practice and promotion of environmental sustainability within clinical practice. Most American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited veterinary schools have a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) where veterinary students receive their core clinical education. Given this, VTHs may provide opportunities for students to learn how veterinary clinics can decrease their environmental footprint and actions they could incorporate into their future clinical work. To assess the feasibility of and support for introducing environmentally sustainable practices into VTHs, we distributed an anonymous online survey to all AVMA-accredited veterinary schools with an associated VTH. Responses were received from 843 individuals representing 23 VTHs in 7 countries. While the overwhelming majority of responding personnel believe this is an important topic, there is little evidence that sustainable behaviors are being practiced or showcased within VTHs. Respondents were most interested in working to increase recycling and reduce general waste and energy consumption within their hospitals. In addition to a lack of educational resources, funding was a commonly identified barrier to incorporating more environmentally sustainable practices. These results add to the growing evidence that enhanced incorporation of sustainability into veterinary medical education at all stages is needed and that VTHs provide a unique opportunity to lead by example.
气候变化是21世纪最大的公共卫生威胁之一。最近对兽医专业学生和执业兽医的调查突出了他们对气候变化对动物健康影响的担忧，以及他们强烈希望了解临床实践中环境可持续性的实践和推广的愿望。大多数获得美国兽医医学协会（AVMA）认可的兽医学院都有一家兽医教学医院（VTH），兽医专业学生在那里接受核心临床教育。鉴于此，兽医教学医院可能为学生提供机会，让他们了解兽医诊所如何减少其环境足迹，以及他们可以纳入未来临床工作的行动。为了评估在兽医教学医院引入环境可持续实践的可行性和支持度，我们向所有拥有相关兽医教学医院且获得AVMA认可的兽医学院发放了一份匿名在线调查问卷。收到了来自7个国家23家兽医教学医院的843人的回复。虽然绝大多数回复人员认为这是一个重要话题，但几乎没有证据表明兽医教学医院正在践行或展示可持续行为。受访者最感兴趣的是努力在医院内增加回收利用，减少一般废物和能源消耗。除了缺乏教育资源外，资金是普遍认为的纳入更多环境可持续实践的障碍。这些结果进一步证明，需要在兽医医学教育的各个阶段加强可持续性的融入，而且兽医教学医院提供了一个独特的以身作则的机会。
