Risk tolerance among veterinary anaesthesia specialists and residents: a cross-sectional survey study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anesthesia
• Clinical Decision-Making
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• Veterinary anesthesiologists face complex clinical scenarios requiring risk assessment.
• The need for specific guidelines in veterinary anesthesia decision-making is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess risk tolerance among veterinary anesthesiologists in hypothetical clinical situations.
• To explore the potential need for specific clinical guidelines in veterinary anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was administered to Diplomates and residents of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) and European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA).
• Participants responded to 10 hypothetical clinical scenarios using a 4-point Likert scale to indicate their likelihood of proceeding with anesthesia.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and chi-square tests for quantitative content analysis of free-text responses.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in risk tolerance were observed between Diplomates and residents, except in one scenario involving cardiac murmurs where Diplomates were more likely to proceed without echocardiography.
• Owner involvement in decision-making was a frequently cited justification for anesthetic choices.
• Over 60% of participants found the idea of clinical guidelines helpful for decision-making dilemmas.

Conclusions:

• Training level does not appear to significantly influence risk tolerance in veterinary anesthesiologists.
• Decision-making in veterinary anesthesia is multifactorial.
• Further research is needed to determine the most effective types of guidelines to support veterinary anesthesiologists.