The moral deliberation pathway in veterinary practice: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ethics
• Psychology in Professional Practice

Background:

• Veterinarians frequently encounter ethical dilemmas and moral conflicts in clinical settings.
• Moral distress arises from the inability to act in accordance with one's values.
• Existing models explain moral distress in nursing; a similar pathway is proposed for veterinarians but lacks empirical support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate veterinary clinicians' experiences with moral distress.
• To empirically examine the proposed moral deliberation pathway in veterinarians.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing thematic analysis.
• Exploration of veterinary clinicians' lived experiences with moral distress.

Main Results:

• Veterinarians' experiences align with the hypothesised moral deliberation pathway.
• Moral conflict progresses to moral stress, potentially resulting in moral distress or resolution (moral comfort).

Conclusions:

• The study provides empirical evidence for the moral deliberation pathway in veterinary professionals.
• Findings can guide future research and interventions for managing moral distress in veterinary medicine.