Assessing stakeholders’ opinions on sharing antimicrobial susceptibility testing data from animals is key to developing a centralized database and dashboard tool

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE To present, analyze, and discuss stakeholders’ opinions regarding sharing antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data from animals into a centralized database and dashboard tool that would collect, aggregate, store, and analyze this type of data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) across the country. SAMPLE 1 in-person focus group (9 participants), 9 virtual focus groups (49 participants), and online pre- and postmeeting surveys (76 and 35 participants, respectively). METHODS Focus groups and surveys were conducted to assess the opinions of veterinarians, producers, researchers, diagnosticians, and government officials. RESULTS A strong majority of stakeholders recognize AMR as a serious concern for both human and animal health and see several benefits in establishing a centralized AMR database; however, several concerns were raised associated with data confidentiality, security, curation, and harmonization. In the interest of alleviating those concerns, among other items, stakeholders suggested education and training of data users, providers, and the public in addition to assuring strong data confidentiality protections. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Stakeholder engagement is a critical component of all stages of development, implementation, and utilization of an AMR database and dashboard tool that could be used to inform antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary medicine. This assessment of stakeholders’ needs and concerns can be used to help guide future recommendations for data legal protections as well as a data confidentiality and security framework. Maintaining open communication on data usage, storage, and security as well as involvement and education of data providers, users, and the public will remain key to enabling development of an AMR database and dashboard tool for domesticated animals.