Training in Honey Bee Veterinary Medicine in Italy: An Observational Study and Practical Proposals to Face Professional Challenges
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Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy
4
Veterinary Scientific Society for Beekeeping—SVETAP, 00178 Rome, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2023, 13(11), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111795
Submission received: 21 April 2023
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Revised: 23 May 2023
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Accepted: 26 May 2023
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Published: 29 May 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Problems of Veterinary Education, Science and Profession)
Simple Summary
Currently, there are not many opportunities for undergraduate students to learn about Honey Bee Veterinary Medicine (HBVM) in their regular degree programs. This is a problem because veterinarians are increasingly responsible for taking care of honey bee health and production. Additionally, there are not many options for veterinarians to specialize in HBVM after graduation. This study aimed to monitor the educational opportunities for veterinarians in Italy. The study looked at both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including degree programs in Veterinary Medicine, Masters, and other postgraduate courses. The results show that the training available for veterinarians in beekeeping in Italy is insufficient, which is a problem in other European and non-European countries as well. Finally, this study suggests a plan for training veterinarians in beekeeping that will meet the needs of the profession in the future while also following current and future public health regulations.
Abstract
Honey bees, like other livestock, may be affected by infectious, parasitic, and abiotic diseases that need proper sanitary monitoring and control. Currently, there are limited opportunities for undergraduate students to receive education in Honey Bee Veterinary Medicine (HBVM) as part of their regular degree program, despite the professional requirements for veterinarians to carry out the increasing tasks related to honey bee health and production. Additionally, postgraduate training and specialization in HBVM is also underdeveloped. This study was an observational survey that evaluated the educational opportunities available in HBVM for current and future veterinarians in Italy. The survey analyzed both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Undergraduate Degree Programs in Veterinary Medicine (UDPVM), “Scuole di Specializzazione”, Masters, and other postgraduate courses. The results indicate that the current training available for veterinarians in the field of apiculture, both before and after graduation, is also insufficient in Italy, as already reported in other EU- and extra-EU countries. Finally, a roadmap for veterinary training in HBVM is developed here describing objectives and teachings aimed at fulfilling the needs of the profession in the field of beekeeping, considering the existing rules and regulations governing public health and possible evolution of this legal framework in the future.
