
Alison Mary Grace BurrellAnimal Health Ireland
Alison Mary Grace Burrell
MSc. C.Psychol
Health psychologist applying behaviour change theory to animal health; OneHealth & AMR; motivational interviewing
About
26
Publications
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Publications
Publications (26)
Objectives:
Self-efficacy - an individual's judgement of their ability to successfully perform a behaviour - is commonly used to explain and predict behaviour. It is measured through self-report questionnaires. These scales require good content validity, that is must measure the full scope and content of the construct without contamination from si...
The need to move towards Selective Dry Cow Therapy (SDCT) has become increasingly pertinent as a means to reduce the use of antibiotics in the dairy sector. With the EU 2022 ban on prophylactic antibiotics at drying off, practices on some farms will need to drastically change. In Ireland, one particular challenge to the sector-wide transition to SD...
With the increasing focus on preventative medicine,
herd health management and sustainability, farmers are
continually being challenged to make changes to their farm
routine and farm behaviours (Bord Bia, 2022; Svensson
et al., 2022). In this context, the role of the veterinary
practitioner becomes ever more critical as an advocate
for change. Howe...
In view of the rising threat of anthelmintic resistance in parasite populations and the planned change of classification of anthelmintics in Ireland for food animals to prescription-only medicines, there is a need for increased focus on parasite control strategies for horses. Effective parasite control programs (PCPs) are complex, necessitating the...
Introduction
Data-driven strategies might combat the spreading of infectious pig disease and improve the early detection of potential pig health problems. The current study aimed to explore individual views on data recording and use of data tools for pig health management by recruiting stakeholders (N = 202) in Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands....
Farm advisors provide knowledge and support to farmers, to help them change their on-farm practices or behaviours, with a view to improving the farm’s overall sustainability and competitiveness (1,2) . In this way, advisors can be viewed as agents of change ⁽³⁾ . In order to fulfil their role as agents of change, advisors must possess sufficient kn...
Risk assessments are important tools to identify deficits in biosecurity management practices. A major strength of some existing tools is that they facilitate cross-country comparisons. However, a weakness is their failure to account for unique intra-national farming enterprise structures such as, for example, pasture-based dairying. Currently, the...
Background
Application of data-driven strategies may support veterinarians’ decision-making, benefitting pig disease prevention and control. However, little is known about veterinarians’ need for data utilisation to support their decision-making process. The current study used qualitative methods, specifically focus group discussions, to explore ve...
Background
This cross-sectional study describes a survey designed to fill knowledge gaps regarding farm management practices, parlour management practices and implemented technologies, milking management practices, somatic cell count (SCC) control strategies, farmer demographics and attitudes around SCC management on a sample of Irish dairy farms....
Animal Health Ireland’s Dr Carla Gomes DVM MSc PhD DipECVPH, Pig HealthCheck Programme Manager and health psychologist Alison Burrell MSc., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I, explain what the DECIDE project is and what its aims are.
Michelle McGrath BAgrSc, MAnSci, MVB, Dip.SFP and Alison Burrell MSc., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I write about the introduction of a new TASAH-funded CellCheck consult to be delivered during lactation, called ‘Cell Count Solutions
Background:
In the coming years, major governance changes in the form of policy directives and regulations will catalyse major top-down change with respect to animal health on European farms in an effort to combat the OneHealth threat of antimicrobial resistance. This top-down approach must be met with bottom-up strategies to ensure target actors...
In dairy farming, mastitis treatment is the most common reason for antimicrobial use. The overuse or misuse of antibiotics in agriculture has been associated with the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Traditionally, blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT), in which all cows receive antibiotic treatment, was used prophylactically to p...
Employing a theoretical model of human behaviour (COMB), the current study explores the factors influencing veterinarians' engagement with antibiotic use stewardship on Irish dairy farms. One-to-one semi structured interviews were carried out by telephone with 12 veterinarians whose daily work focused on dairy cattle. A thematic analysis approach w...
Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products came into force on January 28, 2022. Along with changes to antimicrobial usage, a major change is the requirement for a veterinary prescription for antiparasitic products in livestock, with a deferral until June 1, 2022. In this article Alison Burrell, BA, MSc, C.Psychol, Health Psychologist,...
This research project aimed to provide a holistic (complete, integrated) insight into
identifying and understanding the behaviours of farmers and veterinarians with respect to the use of antimicrobials – treatments that can kill disease-causing microorganisms – within different livestock industries.
Researchers used an “interdisciplinary” and “mult...
An inter-disciplinary safefood project developing behaviour change intervention recommendations to promote prudent use of antimicrobials on farms in Ireland.
A OneHealth approach underpins national and global efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance. For many farmers and vets, this will involve making changes to daily routines and practices in animal health management. In this article, Áine Regan, a behavioural scientist with Teagasc, and Alison Burrell, a chartered health psychologist working in Anim...
A mixed-methods study to explore the reasons for low levels of physical activity uptake in a high-secure mental health hospital in
Scotland. Results show that patients’ attitudes, backgrounds and individual differences influence physical activity rates, as do their
interactions with others and the sedentary high-secure environment.
Patients would b...