Veterinary Student Opinions Regarding Ethical Dilemmas Encountered by Veterinarians and the Benefits of Ethics Instruction

Abstract

Recognizing and addressing ethical conflicts is an emerging concern for veterinarians. Veterinary students ( N = 284) from four US schools were surveyed regarding their opinions on ethical dilemmas encountered by veterinarians and the benefits of ethics instruction. The majority of respondents had encountered all clinical scenarios that may be associated with ethical dilemmas that were provided. The most common ethical dilemma experienced was compromise of patient care because of financial limitations. Students with at least 12 months of experience were more likely to believe that practitioners encounter ethical dilemmas regularly. Although 92% of 271 respondents indicated that veterinarians should prioritize patient interests when the interests of clients and patients conflict, 84% of respondents reported that veterinarians most often prioritize client interests. Most (78%) respondents indicated having received training in ethical theories and approaches to address ethical dilemmas. The majority of respondents agreed that they feel better prepared to identify (80%) and address (55%) ethical dilemmas as a result of their ethics training. Most respondents (81%) identified experiencing moral stress in relation to how animals were treated. Only 46% of respondents reported receiving training in tools for coping with moral stress. Most of these respondents (54%) agreed that such training would be effective in helping to manage moral stress. Results suggested that educators should prepare students for the contrast in advocacy preferences they are apt to encounter when they enter practice. It is recommended that ethics training and tools for coping with moral stress be core components of the veterinary curriculum.