# Self-reported knowledge, attitudes and concerns about zoonoses among general practitioners in the Netherlands

## TL;DR

This study found that Dutch general practitioners lack confidence and training in diagnosing and managing zoonoses, which are diseases that can spread from animals to humans.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the knowledge gaps and concerns of Dutch GPs regarding zoonoses and their preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.

## Key findings

- Only 12.1% of GPs felt confident in diagnosing and managing zoonoses.
- Most GPs rarely or never discuss zoonosis risks with patients.
- Over 40% of GPs feel unsure about diagnosing and managing zoonoses.

## Abstract

Adequate zoonosis literacy among general practitioners (GPs) is essential for signaling and managing zoonotic outbreaks and potential emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). This study aimed to assess Dutch GP's knowledge, attitudes and concerns about zoonoses and their impact on GPs' self-reported confidence in diagnosing and screening for zoonotic risk factors in daily practice.

Data was collected in 2023 using an online questionnaire directed at GPs working in clinical practice in the Netherlands. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to assess whether there were significant associations of socio-demographic factors and other characteristics of GPs with their self-reported confidence.

Of the 332 participating GPs, 12.1 % reported feeling confident in diagnosing and managing zoonoses, and 44.1 % felt insecure about this. The vast majority (80.4 %) indicated that they rarely or never discuss potential risks and prevention strategies for zoonoses in relevant patients. GPs were relatively less likely to feel insecure about zoonoses if they had more years of practice, a better knowledge about infectious disease notification laws, reported notifiable diseases to municipal health services, and diagnosed zoonoses more than once a year. In patients with neurological diseases, fever, infectious respiratory diseases, and skin infections, 44 %, 42 %, 32 % and 9 % of GPs reported never asking about contact with animals or exposure to nature, respectively.

This study revealed that awareness about zoonoses and confidence in diagnosing them are generally low among Dutch GPs. A low response rate and the self-reported data may have led to an overestimation of their confidence. Therefore, additional training and targeted information would be beneficial to enhance awareness.

•Most Dutch GPs report having received insufficient training about zoonoses.•Most Dutch GPs report never discussing zoonosis risks and prevention.•Over 40 % of Dutch GPs feel unsure about diagnosing and managing zoonoses.•Dutch GPs seldom inquire about zoonotic exposure in various clinical scenarios.

Most Dutch GPs report having received insufficient training about zoonoses.

Most Dutch GPs report never discussing zoonosis risks and prevention.

Over 40 % of Dutch GPs feel unsure about diagnosing and managing zoonoses.

Dutch GPs seldom inquire about zoonotic exposure in various clinical scenarios.