SynthesisBMC veterinary research2025
Understanding how veterinarians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices influence antibiotic prescription: a systematic review of survey studies.
Synthesis in BMC veterinary research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Interventions to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing in Small Animal Veterinary Practice: Evidence and Clinical Impact.Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on injection site complications among small ruminant animal health providers in Kumasi, Ghana.BMC veterinary research · 2026Article
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Cystitis in Dogs: An Italian Survey.Veterinary sciences · 2026Article
- Epidemiological and Clinical Insights from 68 Veterinarian-Reported Cases of Feline Infectious Peritonitis During the Documented FIP Epizootic in Cyprus.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Practices and perceptions of antibiotic use in canine breeding: a survey among breeders and veterinarians.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2026Article
- Understanding treatment expectations toward emerging therapies in veterinary medicine: the role of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward psychedelic-assisted interventions.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionThe misuse and/or overuse of antibiotics in animals has been a subject of concern due to the intensification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Veterinarians are at the front line of antibiotic prescription and their decision-making process is impacted by several non-clinical factors. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and understand how veterinarians' attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, and experience influence antibiotic prescription practices.
methodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and CAB International databases. Quantitative and mixed methods studies with veterinary graduates were included, with no time restrictions. Articles written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were considered. Quality assessment was performed with JBI's cross-sectional critical appraisal tool.
resultsOur search retrieved 4722 documents, with 59 being included. Articles' publication year ranged from 2004 to 2023, with most (n = 55) using a quantitative approach, and the remaining ones (n = 4) using mixed methods. Veterinary practices were categorized into four groups: livestock (n = 24), small animals (n = 14), equine (n = 5), and mixed practice (broader scope; n = 17). Intrinsic factors identified as potentially influencing veterinarians' antibiotic prescription included: socio-demographic factors (n = 39) and attitudes and concerns: self-confidence (n = 31); need to satisfy clients' expectations (n = 19); fear (n = 27); lack of knowledge (n = 21). Extrinsic factors were also identified in several studies: clients' lack of knowledge and/or training regarding AMR, appropriate antimicrobial use, and good production practices (n = 24); substandard hygiene conditions and biosecurity protocols (n = 14); time constraints (n = 4); cost of laboratory tests (n = 12); antibiotic policies and/or guidelines (n = 22); antibiotics cost (n = 20), and withdrawal period (n = 11); animal-related factors (n = 21), namely breeding and animals' behavior.
conclusionThis systematic review provides an updated and comprehensive understanding of non-clinical factors that can influence veterinarians' antibiotic prescription practices. High client demand, self-confidence, need to satisfy clients' expectations, deficient biosecurity, fear, lack of awareness from animal owners and farmers about AMR and appropriate antimicrobial use, and inadequate policies/guidelines were associated with higher antibiotic prescription among veterinarians. Many of the identified factors are potentially modifiable. Within the One Health approach, this can help in the design of interventions focusing on appropriate antibiotic use in animals to tackle AMR.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.