How do medical professionals justify their involvement with live tissue training?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Animal Ethics
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Live tissue training (LTT) involves using anesthetized animals for medical simulation.
• LTT is a contested practice despite the availability of alternative training methods.
• This study investigates how medical professionals justify their participation in LTT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the justifications used by medical professionals involved in live tissue training.
• To understand the ethical viewpoints underpinning participation in LTT.
• To identify the reasoning behind the continued use of LTT.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 physicians experienced in LTT.
• Initial analysis used the Framework Method, followed by thematic analysis of 'ethical views'.
• Data were grouped thematically to identify expressed beliefs and views.

Main Results:

• Participants prioritized saving human lives and valued human life over animal life.
• A lack of sufficiently effective alternatives to LTT was a key justification.
• Beliefs included minimizing animal use, maximizing learning, ensuring animal welfare, and comparing LTT favorably to other animal uses.

Conclusions:

• Consequentialist thinking predominates in justifications for LTT.
• The 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) appear to influence decisions, even if not explicitly stated.
• Professional identity, views on animal moral standing, and speciesism may shape involvement in LTT.