Clinical Reasoning About Timely Euthanasia of Compromised Pigs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Clinical Reasoning
• Animal Welfare Science

Background:

• Veterinarians frequently encounter complex decisions regarding the optimal timing of euthanasia to prevent animal suffering.
• Current decision-making processes for euthanasia can be improved through a deeper understanding of clinical reasoning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical reasoning process veterinarians use when deciding on euthanasia.
• To identify key symptoms influencing euthanasia decisions and develop a structured model for training.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory, sequential mixed-method content analysis of decision-making reports from online surveys and interviews.
• Network analysis using Gephi to visualize symptom interdependencies related to euthanasia decisions.

Main Results:

• Identification of typical reasoning steps and central symptoms associated with euthanasia decisions.
• Development of a seven-step model of clinical reasoning for euthanasia.
• Euthanasia conceptualized as a cognitive 'script' rather than a simple 'action'.

Conclusions:

• The proposed seven-step reasoning model can enhance veterinary training for euthanasia decisions.
• Understanding euthanasia as a cognitive script has implications for theoretical frameworks in veterinary ethics and psychology.