Addressing Infection Risk in Veterinary Practice through the Innovative Application of Interactive 3D Animation Methods

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is of growing concern in human and animal health. The aim of this study was to raise awareness and perception of risk of infection-related behaviours during routine preparation for veterinary surgery. We took a multi-disciplinary and multi-method approach to ‘make visible, the invisible’ by illustrating how microbial contamination can be spread during the preparation process for surgical procedures. The design-led visualization approach enhanced inter-disciplinary team and workshop participant contributions during the co-development of an innovative digital tool to support training for veterinary practitioners and students. After experiencing the intervention, 92% of 51 participants agreed to change their behaviour and stated an intention to implement an infection control behaviour that aligned with training objectives. The 3D graphics enhanced the delivery of training content by making difficult and abstract contamination concepts easy to understand. A similar approach could be taken for human health applications.

Keywords:

• infection prevention and control
• co-design
• digital modelling
• visual software
• clinical training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

A full ethics application was submitted to and approved by The Glasgow School of Art’s Research Ethics Committee. All social research on humans described followed strict standard and guidelines (e.g. the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct, 2020) including following ethical protocol and underwent ethical review by the University of Surrey. This work did not fall under the jurisdiction of the 1986 ASPA (Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act) act, but was cleared through the University of Surrey non-ASPA Ethical Review committee for studies involving animals and their data.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council [grant number AH/R002088/1]; and also the substantial assistance from Fitzpatrick Referrals Ltd for this work.

Notes on contributors

Alastair S. Macdonald

Alastair S. Macdonald, Senior Researcher, School of Design, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, UK.

Mark A. Chambers

Mark A. Chambers, Professor in Microbiology and Disease Intervention, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey.

Roberto La Ragione

Roberto La Ragione, Head of Department Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Deputy Head of School, University of Surrey.

Kayleigh Wyles

Kayleigh Wyles, Lecturer in Environmental Psychology, University of Surrey.

Matthieu Poyade

Matthieu Poyade, Research Fellow in 3D Programming, School of Simulation and Visualisation, Glasgow School of Art.

Andrew Wales

Andrew Wales, Research Fellow, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey.

Naomi Klepacz

Naomi Klepacz, Research Fellow, School of Psychology, University of Surrey.

Tom R. Kupfer

Tom R. Kupfer was Research Assistant, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, currently Marie Curie Research Fellow, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Fraje Watson

Fraje Watson, Registered Veterinary Nurse, formerly of Fitzpatrick Referrals Ltd, now PhD Candidate, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London.

Shona Noble

Shona Noble, Research Assistant, School of Simulation and Visualisation, Glasgow School of Art.