A New Health Care Delivery System and the Economics of Utilizing Veterinary Technicians

Abstract

Population growth, global transformations, technological advances, and changing societal concerns on food production are inevitable and are challenging the way we produce food. Increasing global demand for animal products in the developing world, along with rapid urbanization, increasing energy costs, decreasing availability of quality arable land as well as water quality issues, place additional constraints on current food animal production systems. Indeed, the generational challenge to emerging food animal veterinary students is "how to feed the growing world without destroying the environment". The future food animal health care system and the veterinary professionals serving within will have to adapt to these changes in a manner that advances societal needs and meets demands in a responsible manner. To be relevant problem solvers in this global challenge, future veterinarians must be trained in diverse disciplines (epidemiology, management, ecology, economics, production systems, environmental sciences, nutrition) and even more importantly, have the ability to formulate integrated solutions to these complex challenges.