The following media release was issued jointly by the VZANZ, the NZVA and the AVA.
The 'Rethinking Veterinary Education' report released today finds that veterinary education is at a crisis point in Australasia and is directly contributing to vet shortages.
The report outlines the findings and recommendations of a review into veterinary education, commissioned by Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand (VSANZ). The review was undertaken by an expert panel comprising Dr Helen Scott-Orr AM PSM (Chair), Professor Grant Guilford (NZ) and Professor Susan Rhind (UK).
The panel found several factors are contributing to the crisis.
"Issues include growing demand for veterinary services; inadequate funding to meet the cost of the teaching program and the university operating model; deteriorating wellbeing amongst students, staff and graduates; and salaries that are becoming uncompetitive with other professions," explained VSANZ Chair, Professor Nigel Perkins.
The report makes 25 recommendations directed variously at veterinary schools, their universities, accrediting bodies, veterinary professional associations and governments.
Key recommendations include:
- Establishment of a strategic change fund among the universities to unlock effective veterinary school resource-sharing models
- Accelerated efforts to reduce the cost burden of school accreditation, and to move from assessing inputs to outcomes
- An increase in government funding for veterinary students, and a clinical training loading for priority areas
- The Australian Government extend to veterinarians the student debt relief available to doctors and nurses who practice in rural and remote areas.
- There are also several recommendations that seek to improve student wellbeing and transition to practice, and as well as those concerning the capacity of the profession to service rural needs, including emergency animal disease preparedness.
Both the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) welcome the report.
"The system of educating veterinarians has been adversely affected over decades by various changes in education, fiscal and social policy. It is encouraging to have a set of clear recommendations to help address the issues and pave the way forward," said AVA President, Dr Alistair Webb said.
"The challenges facing the veterinary sectors in Australasia reflect failures of the overall education systems and can only be solved if all stakeholders contribute to positive change. We hope this report helps facilitate that," NZVA President Kate Hill said.
Detailed responses to the report's recommendation can be viewed on the AVA and NZVA websites.
