Implementing Online Training for "Animal Disease Detectives" in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Focus Group Study.

The article focuses on the development, delivery, and evaluation of the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) Veterinary Epidemiology Training (VET) program, an online modular training initiative launched in 2022 to strengthen field epidemiology workforce capacity in the Asia-Pacific region. The program, consisting of 36 modules across six competencies, was completed by 67% of the 139 enrolled veterinarians and animal health workers from seven countries, with participants reporting that the regionally relevant content and interactive elements enhanced their knowledge and workplace application. Challenges identified included language barriers due to English-only delivery, limited internet access, and the need for complementary face-to-face sessions and smaller group interactions to improve engagement and learning outcomes. To address these issues, APCOVE has made the modules available asynchronously in six languages and emphasizes the importance of local mentorship and in-person training to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.