Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RCVS Knowledge conducting study into quality improvement
“This research will provide an unprecedented body of evidence on the experiences and perceptions of QI".
Survey seeks views and experiences of the veterinary profession

A national study into quality improvement (QI) within the veterinary profession has been launched by RCVS Knowledge, the charity partner of the RCVS.

The project will provide valuable insights into the drivers, barriers and expectations associated with QI with the ultimate goal of strengthening the support provided to the profession.

It has been commissioned by RCVS Knowledge and will be carried out by RAND Europe, an independent not-for-profit policy research organisation that aims to improve policy and decision making in the public interest.

“We are delighted to be launching this research project with RAND Europe,” said Chris Gush, executive director of RCVS Knowledge.
 
“We know that many of our colleagues across the profession have embedded QI into their practice to great benefit, while we are also aware that it can be a challenge to do so all of the time.
 
“This research will provide an unprecedented body of evidence on the experiences and perceptions of QI, which will be critical to how we work to support the sector in this area going forward.”

Fundamental to the project will be a survey that is open to all members of the veterinary profession.

The survey will gather information on the amount of time spent on QI activities; the sources of QI training; tools and resources used by professionals; and the profession’s general feelings about the effect of quality improvement on veterinary care.

Findings from this survey will then be fed into a summit organised by RCVS Knowledge - the National Summit for Supporting Quality Improvement in Veterinary Care 2019 - that will bring together key policymakers and influencers across the industry.

This is the first time research of this scale into QI in the animal healthcare industry has been carried out.
 
“This groundbreaking project with RCVS Knowledge aims to explore in depth whether more formal processes of quality improvement would be a useful addition to the routine methods that many members of the profession already use to constantly improve the quality of care they provide,” said Dr Tom Ling, head of evaluation at RAND Europe.
 
“I aim to bring my knowledge of QI developments in human health to this project, but the most important contribution will be the views and experiences of the veterinary profession to ensure our proposals are relevant to your circumstances.”

The survey is open now and will be live for six weeks, closing early April. It takes around 10 minutes to complete and one lucky participant will receive a £150 Amazon voucher.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.