Low and No-Contact Euthanasia: Associated Ethical Challenges Experienced by Veterinary Team Members during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
COVID-19
PPE
SARS-CoV-2
ethics
euthanasia
fear-free
human-animal bond
low stress
moral distress
pandemic
physical distancing
Journal
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
Titre abrégé: Animals (Basel)
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101635614
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 Feb 2022
23 Feb 2022
Historique:
received:
14
01
2022
revised:
15
02
2022
accepted:
22
02
2022
entrez:
10
3
2022
pubmed:
11
3
2022
medline:
11
3
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many veterinary practices around the world have shifted to a low or no-contact consultation model to ensure the safety of their team members and clients, and comply with public health orders, while continuing to provide veterinary care. We performed reflexive thematic analysis on a subset of data collected using a mixed-methods survey of veterinary team members globally. There were 540 valid responses available for analysis. Low and no-contact euthanasia we raised as a common and/or stressful ethical challenge for 22.8% of respondents. We identified five key themes: no-contact euthanasia as a unique ethical challenge; balancing veterinary team safety with the emotional needs of clients; low and no-contact protocols may cause or exacerbate fear, anxiety and distress in veterinary patients; physical distancing was more challenging during euthanasia consultations; and biosecurity measures complicated communication around euthanasia and end-of-life decision making. In light of concerns highlighted by respondents, we recommend the development of a toolkit of protocols that will assist veterinary team members in performing low-contact euthanasia in a range of circumstances, in alignment with their values and professional ethical codes. Professional bodies may be involved in developing, updating and disseminating this information, and ensuring a continuous supply chain of PPE.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many veterinary practices around the world have shifted to a low or no-contact consultation model to ensure the safety of their team members and clients, and comply with public health orders, while continuing to provide veterinary care.
METHODS
METHODS
We performed reflexive thematic analysis on a subset of data collected using a mixed-methods survey of veterinary team members globally.
RESULTS
RESULTS
There were 540 valid responses available for analysis. Low and no-contact euthanasia we raised as a common and/or stressful ethical challenge for 22.8% of respondents. We identified five key themes: no-contact euthanasia as a unique ethical challenge; balancing veterinary team safety with the emotional needs of clients; low and no-contact protocols may cause or exacerbate fear, anxiety and distress in veterinary patients; physical distancing was more challenging during euthanasia consultations; and biosecurity measures complicated communication around euthanasia and end-of-life decision making.
RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
In light of concerns highlighted by respondents, we recommend the development of a toolkit of protocols that will assist veterinary team members in performing low-contact euthanasia in a range of circumstances, in alignment with their values and professional ethical codes. Professional bodies may be involved in developing, updating and disseminating this information, and ensuring a continuous supply chain of PPE.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35268128
pii: ani12050560
doi: 10.3390/ani12050560
pmc: PMC8908847
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
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