First EBVM Conference raises questions
The role of evidence in veterinary medicine has formed the subject of the first international Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine Conference this week.
Veterinary professionals gathered in Windsor for the two day event this week, to share information and benefit from a thought provoking programme.
Conference discussions raise a number of questions on the veterinary profession's sources of information, how reliable these sources are, whether there are conflicts of interest and the role and reliability of drug company representatives as a source.
Commenting on Twitter, Alison Lambert, managing director of Onswitch, said: "Conflict of interest [is] key. Who do you let in your practice to help you who has conflict of interest?"
Speakers at the conference have included GP Martin Brunet, who described the way human medicine has been transformed by evidence-based medicine (EBM). Following his talk, Dr Brunet commented on Twitter: "Great to be there and to cross fertilise with the world of veterinary medicine. Fascinating to see we face similar dilemmas".
Commenting on the talk, Alison Lambert tweeted: "Great session from Dr Martin Brunet - 'Drug companies are not a good place to get evidence - they are not independent'".
We are grateful to Alison Lambert of Onswitch for providing information from the conference.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
