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Moral distress in veterinarians
Alejandra I Arbe Montoya1, Susan Hazel2, Susan M Matthew3
1Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia alejandra.arbemontoya@adelaide.edu.au.
The Veterinary Record
|August 21, 2019
Summary
Moral distress, a significant issue for healthcare professionals, is understudied in veterinarians. Further research is needed to understand its impact on veterinary professionals and develop interventions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Occupational Psychology
- Bioethics
Background:
- Moral distress, a psychological state of anguish, is well-documented in human healthcare professionals and linked to negative outcomes like patient avoidance and staff turnover.
- While veterinarians commonly face ethical challenges and dilemmas, moral distress in this profession remains under-explored, with limited existing data.
- The veterinary profession experiences high occupational stress and mental health issues, highlighting the importance of investigating moral distress and its effects on professional well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To underscore the need for research into moral distress among veterinarians.
- To identify the potential prevalence and impact of moral distress in veterinary professionals.
- To advocate for the development of measurement tools and further investigation into the relationship between moral distress, mental health, and attrition in veterinarians.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual exploration and review of existing literature on moral distress in healthcare and its potential relevance to veterinary medicine.
- It identifies the common ethical challenges and conflicts faced by veterinarians.
- It highlights the need for empirical research, including the development of a specific moral distress scale for veterinarians.
Main Results:
- Veterinarians frequently encounter moral conflicts and ethical dilemmas throughout their careers.
- These experiences, influenced by factors like personality, can contribute to moral distress.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and specific consequences of moral distress in this population.
Conclusions:
- Moral distress is likely a prevalent issue among veterinarians, impacting their professional well-being.
- Further research is crucial to quantify the incidence of moral distress and its association with mental illness and attrition.
- Developing targeted intervention strategies is essential to mitigate the negative effects of moral distress on veterinarians.
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