PSVI-19 Survey data eliciting barriers and challenges of farm workers at feedlots and dairies across the Texas Panhandle: Increasing adherence to postmortem procedures.

Abstract Postmortem examinations are a crucial diagnostic tool for disease management, surveillance, and production management of animals for food consumption. Despite their importance, there is limited evidence regarding required skills and the frequency with which they are performed on farms. This study examines the beliefs, challenges, and constraints surrounding postmortem examinations on feedlots and dairy farms located in and around the Texas Panhandle. The hypothesis is that addressing identified barriers will enable targeted training resulting in increased frequency and quality of postmortem procedures. Participants are recruited using convenience sampling and include managers or workers involved in the postmortem process on 25 feedlots and 25 dairy farms. We developed a 22-item semi-structured survey to gather essential information including job responsibilities, level of experience with postmortem procedures, training in personal protective equipment (PPE), use of digital technologies, reporting methods, perceived challenges and recommendations for improvement. The survey includes multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open-ended questions, allowing for the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. Survey results will inform the development of an online communication training intervention which will be delivered along with an educational module on field postmortem examinations. Statistical analysis will follow a mixed-methods approach, combining descriptive and inferential analyses using R software version 2024.12.0 with qualitative analyses conducted in NVivo version 15. Qualitative thematic analysis will identify themes related to postmortem examination practice and reporting. Pilot data from a preliminary study conducted with veterinary students will be presented, along with survey data from recruited farm participants. The findings will highlight prevalent barriers as well as guide training programs aimed at improving the adoption of postmortem examination procedures.