One health in our backyard: Design and evaluation of an experiential learning experience for veterinary medical students

摘要: Abstract Background New educational approaches are needed to improve student understanding of the wider sociological and ecological determinants health as well professional responsibilities in related areas. Field trips allow students observe interaction between plant, animal human communities, making them an ideal tool for teaching One Health concepts. Methods Veterinary medical participated a field trip local parklands area, frequented by humans, dogs, horses, wildlife. Students rotated through 5 learning activities (‘stations’) that focused on: (1) response exotic disease incursion (equine influenza); (2) impact cultures belief systems on practice; (3) management dangerous dogs; (4) land use change, biodiversity emerging infectious disease; (5) environmentally-acquired zoonoses (botulism). Intended outcomes were to: evaluate various roles veterinarians society; compare benefits risks associated with human-animal animal-animal interactions; contributions made professionals safeguarding welfare animals, humans environment. Following trip, debrief exercise completed online survey their experiences. Results Feedback from collected 2016/2017 (n = 211) was overwhelmingly positive. The experience at each station rated 4 (‘Good’) or (‘Very Good’) out 82–96% students. Responses closed- open-ended questions − outputs generated session indicated achieved outcomes. Overall, 94% agreed strongly they had better because trip. Conclusions effective promoting about can be incorporated into core curriculum maximize exposure relatively low cost.