A Knowledge Summary has been used to inform a research project for the first time

The RCVS Knowledge Veterinary Evidence team has seen its first known example of a Knowledge Summary, which answers a clinical query by appraising the best available evidence, being used to inform a research project.

We spoke to Nicole Dyer (BVetMed(hons) CertAVP MRCVS), Senior Vet and Sustainability Lead at Ash Tree Vets, about how our Knowledge Summary ‘Reducing Veterinary Waste: Surgical Site Infection Risk and the Ecological Impact of Woven and Disposable Drapes’ helped inform an idea for a research project, which she has now worked on creating in collaboration with a number of teams within the Vet Partners group and with funding from BSAVA PetSavers.

“It definitely gave us a starting point to be a bit more aware of what’s already present in the literature and what the conclusions are, for us to then dig a little deeper in terms of what evidence we’re looking for,” said Nicole.

“A lot of the time we are all asking the same questions in practice and we’re all waiting for someone to answer them,” Nicole added. “It’s (Veterinary Evidence) a good place to go and say in terms of what I’m interested in, what could I answer with my expertise in my field.”

Nicole has an interest in sustainability in veterinary practices and how to reduce the environmental impact of the veterinary healthcare sector.

“I think with a lot of people using disposable drapes, there is an assumption that it’s a better clinical standard and to go back to using reusable feels like a step backwards.”

She added: “I don’t think anyone is going to be able to take that step if there isn’t evidence to show that it’s okay.”

Following her own project, Nicole offered some advice to other veterinary professionals interested in conducting their own research.

“We always think of research as these really complicated questions that are answered in a referral setting, but on a day-to-day basis we’re all asking questions in general practice and a lot of the time those really simple questions are the ones that make a big difference.”

The aim of Veterinary Evidence is to inform decisions in practice and highlight the evidence gaps where further research is needed.

You can submit your own question or choose one to answer as a Knowledge Summary. Find out more here: https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/How-to-write-a-knowledge-summary-guide

If a Knowledge Summary has directly impacted decision making in practice, please get in touch with us at [email protected]