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Course asks vet teams to consider human factors
The free course suggests that analysing human factors and systems can improve veterinary outcomes.
The RCVS Knowledge course supports analysis of human interactions.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has released new resources to support veterinary professionals with analysing human interactions and processes.

The online course, published for free on RCVS Knowledge, suggests that, by analysing human factors carefully, veterinary professionals can improve their veterinary outcomes.

Quality Improvement Boxset – Introduction to Human Factors and Systems Thinking will provide learners with the non-technical skills to improve quality of care, patient safety and team wellbeing. It includes learning materials, tools and templates to aid with learning and implementing the skills.

The ‘human factors’ lessons will address interactions between people and their environment, which veterinary teams can interpret to optimise patient care and outcomes. Meanwhile ‘system factors’ topics consider the role of well-designed systems to achieve better results.

The practical course has been produced through collaboration from Human Factors and Systems Thinking experts in both veterinary and human medicine fields.

Veterinary professionals are encouraged to reflect upon and share the learnings across the team, so that the full practice can implement new techniques to the benefit of patients, clients and team members.

The course, which forms part of the seventh series of the Quality Improvement Boxset, is designed to be accessible for the whole veterinary team.

Pam Mosedale, Quality Improvement Clinical Lead at RCVS Knowledge: “Every veterinary professional wants to achieve good outcomes, but the role that Human Factors and systems can play is sometimes overlooked.

“Making sure that your processes are well-designed, and understanding how the people in your team interact with them can optimise the quality of care you provide, while improving team wellbeing,”

The Introduction to Human Factors and Systems Thinking series from the QI boxset can be found on RCVS Knowledge.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.