Learning outcomes for the education and training of laboratory animal caretakers in South Africa

Authors

Keywords:

learning outcomes, animal caretaker, laboratory animal science, education, training

Abstract

Education and training is essential for laboratory animal caretakers (LACs), but there are no courses available in South Africa. A national workshop was thus held to collaboratively establish the learning outcomes (LOs) for the education and training (E&T) of LACs. Eighty-five stakeholders from 30 institutions took part in small group discussions interspersed with plenary sessions to draw up the consensus LOs.

One-hundred-and-twenty LOs were identified, grouped into the following three main themes and 15 topics: 1) Focus on animals (animal care and husbandry, animal ethics, animal welfare, basic biology, environment); 2) Focus on humans (administration, health and safety, lifelong learning, professionalism, psychological wellbeing); and 3) Focus on systems (biosecurity, equipment, jurisprudence, logistics, and quality management).

This E&T framework provides a foundation for a career path in the laboratory animal science field. The psychological (i.e. mental and emotional) wellbeing of LACs forms a noteworthy component of the focus on humans, since working with research animals is stressful and coping mechanisms are needed in order to promote compassion satisfaction and prevent compassion fatigue and burnout.

Approximately 75% of the LOs are knowledge-based, while 25% are competencies in practical skills. It is recommended that competencies should be assessed by direct observation of practical/procedural skills, where competence in a procedure or practical task is assessed against predetermined criteria.

These LOs are published with the intent that they will promote animal and human wellbeing, support ethical science, maintain public confidence, and in so doing, contribute to a just and civilised society.

Author Biographies

  • AJ Mohr, University of Cape Town

    Centre for Animal Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Scientific Veterinary Consulting Inc., South Africa

  • JS Magagula, University of Cape Town

    Centre for Animal Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

  • DI Lewis, University of Leeds

    School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom

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Published

2023-02-24

Issue

Section

Conference Reports