02197nas a2200205   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260007000043653003100113653003400144653003800178100001700216700001400233700001300247700001300260245013100273490000800404520156500412022001401977       2019                            d  c03/2019bSchlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KGaHannover10aRuminant medicine teaching10aruminant veterinary hospitals10ateaching structure and evaluation1 aA Stanitznig1 aE Leitner1 aP Winter1 aT Wittek00aSurvey of teaching of ruminant medicine to veterinary students in veterinary schools in Europe and the U.S.A. by questionnaire0 v1323 aThe changing background of veterinary students has raised concerns about the  decreasing number of graduates who are entering ruminant medicine practice.  On the other hand it seems likely that attractive and high-quality teaching of  food ruminant medicine may result in increased interest. The aim of the present study was to obtain an overview by questionnaire about  ruminant medicine teaching at European and North American Veterinary Schools.  To reach these objectives a survey was developed (prospective design). The overall  response was 46.9% (38 of 81 surveys, Europe 29 of 42, 69%; North America  9 of 39 surveys, 23%). Minor differences were found in theoretical teaching;  however the organisation of practical teaching (e.g. group size, inclusion of the  students, specialization in ruminant medicine) differed significantly. Veterinary  Schools running a ruminant hospital ( gt;500 cases/year) seem able to offer better  conditions for practical teaching. Additionally it seems that the ability to offer  transportation to transport cattle to the veterinary hospital is important in obtaining  sufficient cases.  We believe that to ensure that a sufficient number of graduates enter a career in  ruminant medicine high quality teaching is necessary. We concluded that financial  and personal commitment by the veterinary school and its staff is required.  Current prices for milk and meat do not allow coverage of the expenses to run a  ruminant veterinary hospital. Therefore ruminant clinics have to be subsidized to  deliver their teaching.   a0005-9366