This study aimed to quantitatively measure the influence of theoretical constructs on the veterinarians' decision to prescribe antibiotics to sheep and beef farmers without a clinical consultation first. A factorial survey was produced, where respondents were asked to rate a series of eight vignette scenarios, in which the theoretical construct factors were randomly manipulated. Responses were received from 306 veterinarians in the United Kingdom (UK). Random intercept models were built to estimate the effects of the vignette factors, and the veterinarians' characteristics, on the decision to prescribe antibiotics. Analysis showed that a range of psychosocial factors such as farmer relationship, habit and confidence were significant in the decisionto prescribe. The practice characteristics of region and having a small animal department, as well as the veterinarian characteristics of agreeableness personality score and age were also significant in the decision to prescribe. These factors could be targeted for improved antimicrobial stewardship.
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