Postgraduate research students

Rachel Lumbis

R.Lumbis.1@research.gla.ac.uk

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968

Research title: An exploration of knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practice of small animal veterinary nutrition

Research summary

In human medicine, poor diet is the second leading cause of death in the world. The anthropomorphic nature of many human-companion animal relationships and widespread confusion and misinformation about human and pet nutrition is resulting in inappropriate food-related behaviours with deleterious effects on health and wellbeing. Not all caregivers or patients trust or follow the advice of healthcare professionals, instead relying on alternative sources of nutritional information with questionable accuracy, reliability and credibility. Investigation and deeper understanding of the language and approaches required for effective communication and education about pet and human nutrition is needed as a priority issue.

My research is examining nutrition-related beliefs, attitudes and knowledge, dietary decision making and feeding behaviour. This analysis is essential to optimise pet nutrition, protect public health and enhance nutrition-related education and communication. Through detailed analysis of dietary decision-making processes and nutrition-related education, cohesive strategies will be formulated to ensure the adoption of optimum nutrition-related decisions and practice. 

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2024
Number of items: 5.

2025

Lumbis, Rachel H. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John J. and Yam, Philippa S. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2025) Perceptions of small animal nutrition: an exploration of education and self-reported proficiency among student veterinary professionals. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, (doi: 10.3138/jvme-2025-0010) (Early Online Publication)

2024

Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Holt, Susan, Irwin-Porter, Gemma, Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Morrin, Hamish, Vivian, Sarah and Woods-Lee, Georgia (2024) Doctoral-educated veterinary nurses. VN Times, 24(8), pp. 7-9.

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) The Nutrition-Related Experience of Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals. 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2024), Suzhou, China, 3-5 Sept 2024. (Unpublished)

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) Perceptions of Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals Regarding Nutrition Information Sources and Unconventional Diet Choice. 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2024), Suzhou, China, 3-5 Sept 2024. (Unpublished)

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) An Exploration of the Current Education, Information Sources, Knowledge, Competence, and Attitudes About Small Animal Nutrition Among Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals. VetEd Symposium 2024, Dublin, Ireland, 3-5 July 2024. (Unpublished)

This list was generated on Sat Mar 21 10:28:33 2026 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Conference or Workshop Item
Number of items: 5.

Articles

Lumbis, Rachel H. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John J. and Yam, Philippa S. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2025) Perceptions of small animal nutrition: an exploration of education and self-reported proficiency among student veterinary professionals. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, (doi: 10.3138/jvme-2025-0010) (Early Online Publication)

Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Holt, Susan, Irwin-Porter, Gemma, Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Morrin, Hamish, Vivian, Sarah and Woods-Lee, Georgia (2024) Doctoral-educated veterinary nurses. VN Times, 24(8), pp. 7-9.

Conference or Workshop Item

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) The Nutrition-Related Experience of Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals. 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2024), Suzhou, China, 3-5 Sept 2024. (Unpublished)

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) Perceptions of Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals Regarding Nutrition Information Sources and Unconventional Diet Choice. 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2024), Suzhou, China, 3-5 Sept 2024. (Unpublished)

Lumbis, Rachel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-9968, Fontaine, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0240-707X, Reilly, John and Yam, Philippa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0632-0884 (2024) An Exploration of the Current Education, Information Sources, Knowledge, Competence, and Attitudes About Small Animal Nutrition Among Foundation Phase Student Veterinary Professionals. VetEd Symposium 2024, Dublin, Ireland, 3-5 July 2024. (Unpublished)

This list was generated on Sat Mar 21 10:28:33 2026 GMT.

Prior publications

Dataset

Tierney Kinnison, Rachel Lumbis, Amanda M. de Mestre, Jacqueline M. Cardwell (2023) Student Perceptions of Veterinary Interprofessional Education and Work Scale PsycTESTS Dataset Crossref Metadata Search. (doi: 10.1037/t89284-000)

Book Section

Tierney Kinnison, Rachel Lumbis (2023) Developing an interprofessional nutrition programme: Communication An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781800621091 (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0007)

Rachel Lumbis (2023) Developing an interprofessional nutrition programme: Roles and responsibilities An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781800621091 (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0008)

Rachel Lumbis (2023) Developing an interprofessional nutrition programme: Trust, values and ethics An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781800621091 (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0006)

Rachel Lumbis (2023) Nutrition as the fifth vital sign An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781800621091 (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0004)

Rachel Lumbis (2023) Optimising pet health and wellbeing through nutrition An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781800621091 (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0003)

Luisa Dormer, Rachel Lumbis, Georgia Woods-Lee, Marge Chandler (2021) BSAVA Science: Knowledge, attitudes and application of nutrition assessments by the veterinary health care team in small animal practice BSAVA Webinar Library Crossref Metadata Search. ISBN 9781910443491 (doi: 10.22233/9781910443491.webinarjsap08)

Book

Rachel Lumbis, Tierney Kinnison (2023) An Interprofessional Approach to Veterinary Nutrition Crossref Metadata Search. (doi: 10.1079/9781800621107.0000)

Other

Rachel Lumbis, Chloe White (2022) Nutritional welfare BSAVA Manual of Practical Veterinary Welfare Crossref Metadata Search. (doi: 10.22233/9781910443798.5)

R. H. Lumbis (2018) 'Mind the gap' - the development, validation and evaluation of a veterinary clinical skills model. Veterinary clinical skills manual Crossref Metadata Search. (doi: 10.1079/9781786391629.0359)

Article

Rachel H Lumbis, Minna Rinkinen (2022) Veterinary nutritional assessment: the importance of an interprofessional approach The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2052-2959 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2022.13.5.214)

Sarah Batt-Williams, Rachel Lumbis (2021) Experiences on Introducing a Team-Based Knowledge Summary to Student Veterinary Nurses/Veterinary Technicians Journal of Veterinary Medical Education Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0748-321X (doi: 10.3138/jvme-2020-0093)

(2021) Preliminary testing of psychometric properties of the 'student perceptions of veterinary interprofessional education and work scale' (SP-VIEWS). Journal of interprofessional care Rachel Lumbis. (doi: 10.1080/13561820.2021.1902961)

Rachel Lumbis, Alison Langridge, Ruth Serlin, Tierney Kinnison (2021) Developing Inter-Professional Education Initiatives to Aid Working and Learning Between Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses/Vet Techs Journal of Veterinary Medical Education Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0748-321X (doi: 10.3138/jvme.2019-0038)

(2020) Prognostic Indicators of Avian Survival. Journal of avian medicine and surgery Rachel Lumbis. (doi: 10.1647/1082-6742-34.3.243)

R. H. Lumbis, M. de Scally (2020) Knowledge, attitudes and application of nutrition assessments by the veterinary health care team in small animal practice Journal of Small Animal Practice Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 1748-5827 (doi: 10.1111/jsap.13182)

Rachel H Lumbis (2018) Nourishing dogs and cats through their twilight years The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2044-0065 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2018.9.2.75)

Rachel H Lumbis (2017) How to place commonly used feeding tubes in dogs and cats The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2052-2959 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2017.8.2.104)

Abigail Edis, Rachel H Lumbis, Joanna Hedley (2016) Nursing management of a rabbit undergoing a rhinostomy The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2052-2959 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2016.7.1.18)

Rachel H. Lumbis (2015) Laboratory procedures in practice Veterinary Record Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0042-4900 (doi: 10.1136/vr.h5770)

Rachel Lumbis, Daniel L Chan (2015) The raw deal: clarifying the nutritional and public health issues regarding raw meat-based diets The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2052-2959 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2015.6.6.336)

Rachel Lumbis (2014) Nutritional calculations: a guide for the veterinary healthcare team The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2044-0065 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2014.5.8.424)

Rachel H Lumbis (2014) Reflections on nutritional assessment: The Veterinary Nurse workshop 2014 The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2044-0065 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2014.5.2.64)

Rachel H. Lumbis (2012) Nutritional advice for clinical practice Veterinary Record Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0042-4900 (doi: 10.1136/vr.e7313)

Molly Varga, Rachel Lumbis (2012) Nursing requirements for exotic pets BSAVA Companion Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2041-2495 (doi: 10.22233/20412495.1012.23)

Rachel H. Lumbis, Susan P. Gregory, Sarah Baillie (2012) Evaluation of a Dental Model for Training Veterinary Students Journal of Veterinary Medical Education Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0748-321X (doi: 10.3138/jvme.1011.108r)

Rachel Lumbis (2012) A practical approach to caring for patients with appetite reduction The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2044-0065 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2012.3.2.90)

T Kinnison, R Lumbis, H Orpet, P Welsh, S Gregory, S Baillie (2012) How to run Talking Walls: an interprofesional education resource The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2052-2959 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2012.3.1.4)

Tierney Kinnison, Rachel Lumbis, Hilary Orpet, Perdi Welsh, Sue Gregory, Sarah Baillie (2011) Piloting Interprofessional Education Interventions with Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing Students Journal of Veterinary Medical Education Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0748-321X (doi: 10.3138/jvme.38.3.311)

Rachel H. Lumbis (2010) Exotic animal medicine for VNs Veterinary Record Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0042-4900 (doi: 10.1136/vr.c6698)

Liz Branscombe, Rachel Lumbis (2010) Evaluating the need for continuing professional development (CPD) The Veterinary Nurse Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 2044-0065 (doi: 10.12968/vetn.2010.1.1.4)

Rachel Lumbis (2010) Animal Biology and Care - Sue Dallas Journal of Small Animal Practice Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0022-4510 (doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.00924.x)

Rachel Lumbis (2010) Manual of Clinical Procedures in Dogs, Cats, Rabbits and Rodents - Steven E. Crow, Sally O. Walshaw & Jennifer E. Boyle Journal of Small Animal Practice Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0022-4510 (doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.00925.x)

Rachel H. Lumbis (2010) Pathology for VNs Veterinary Record Crossref Metadata Search. ISSN 0042-4900 (doi: 10.1136/vr.c7185)

Supervisors

External supervisors

Professor John Reilly, University of Strathclyde

Conferences

International Veterinary Education Symposium 2024 (3rd - 5th July) Dublin, Ireland

Presentation entitled

"An exploration of the current education, information sources, knowledge, competence, and attitudes about small animal nutrition among foundation phase student veterinary professionals"

 

The 49th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress 2024 (3rd - 5th September) Suzhou, China

Poster presentations entitled 

"The nutrition-related experience of foundation phase student veterinary professionals" 

and

"Perceptions of foundation phase student veterinary professionals regarding nutrition information sources and unconventional diet choice"

Research datasets

Jump to: 2025
Number of items: 1.

2025

Lumbis, R. , Fontaine, S. , Reilly, J. and Yam, P. (2025) Perceptions of small animal nutrition: an exploration of education and self-reported proficiency among student veterinary professionals. [Data Collection]

This list was generated on Sat Mar 21 21:16:20 2026 GMT.

Additional information

I am a member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Nutrition Committee. As part of this role, I help to educate about the importance of nutrition in companion animal health, promote the central role of the veterinary healthcare team as the expert source of pet nutrition information, and produce evidence-based companion animal nutrition information and resources.