Developing
a Relevant, Reliable, User-Friendly Survey
Stan Carter, DVM; Senior Veterinarian, Nestle Purina Pet Care
The health survey is a powerful tool for breed clubs
striving to breed healthier dogs. Identifying important diseases and their relative
incidence enables eradication efforts to be efficiently focused. The survey may
be of a general nature or directed toward specific features of a particular disease.
Many different survey types have been utilized, ranging from one-[age questionnaires to lengthy, time consuming documents. It is a delicate balancing act, obtaining worthwhile information while not overwhelming
the participant.
Developing a quality survey requires numerous initial
considerations:
- Circulation
– Internet web page, Mailings, Breed Publications, Handouts
- Length – Short
surveys may have increased participation but yield less information; if capturing enough information to make it somewhat lengthy,
they should not appear too cumbersome.
- Included
disorders – Write-in areas for rare disorders; List specific types of diseases for broad categories (Mast cell
cancer or Lymphosarcoma instead of “Cancer”); recommended to use codes as answers to shorten what could become
lengthy replies. Eg. Cardiac – Problem Yes/No; if Yes, use a code to identify
issue such as A = Mitral Valve, B = Pulmonic Stenosis, etc.
- Ranges to examine
– Age, Time periods, # of animals
- Due Date
- Publication of results
– Prompt reporting of results may encourage participation
- Anonymous? This is an important option to consider.
It is very important to identify how a condition
was diagnosed. There is a need to acquire specific and accurate information to
submit to the scientific community, and therefore they are requesting the inclusion of information about who made the diagnosis
(i.e., Practitioner, Specialist, or Cardiologist; which lab processed, etc.)
Surveys should be handed out at national specialties
to be openly discussed and to process completely. The surveys should be distributed
to all club members. Suggestions for increased participation included utilizing
a web form to provide anonymity. Participants should be allowed to decide the
level of confidentiality enforced. Clubs should also consider utilizing an outside
source to collect and analyze the data.
Results
should then be forwarded to the AKC Canine Health Foundation to identify problems in the breed. They will evaluate the prevalence and suggest a priority of issues to be addressed. It is recommended to repeat the health survey every 3 years to maintain updated information.
Model surveys are available from the Canine Health
Foundation. They will also send copies of surveys from several breeds that may
help with the initial design and planning. The AKC Delegates Canine Health Committee
is currently working on an on-line model health survey. They hope to develop
a survey that is applicable to all breeds, accessible over the Internet and directly captured into a database. Breeders, researchers and pet owners all benefit from information collected by excellent health surveys.
AWS Partners’ recommended resources:
Health Surveys/Research in Other Breeds
http://members.aol.com/smplyschnz/health/otherbreeds.html
Sample AKC Breed Survey
http://www.healthydogs.com/survey.htm
Cocker Spaniel – Comprehensive Breed Health
Survey Project
http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/survey/index.html
Schipperke Club of America Breed Health Survey 2003
http://www.schipperkeclub-usa.org/SchipperkeClubofAmericaBreedHealthSurvey.PDF
Spinone Breed Health Survey 1998
http://www.spinone.com/HealthSurvey.htm
