[Normative questions in veterinary practice: a survey]

In autumn 1991, an inquiry was made among veterinary practitioners in the Netherlands to obtain information about the following normative questions: (1) which ethical issues are most troublesome in veterinary practice, (2) how do veterinary practitioners deal with ethical issues and (3) what is their opinion about the way ethical issues should be dealt with within the veterinary profession? Out of the population of Dutch veterinary practitioners (2155 persons) a questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 308 persons; 221 (72%) questionnaires were answered. One of the questions involved an inventory of ethical issues in veterinary practice. It is concluded from the results that ethical issues are perceived more as problems for the veterinary community than as individual problems. Moral problems in veterinary practice can generally be characterized as conflicts between interests and desires of animal owners and the moral responsibility for animals. In weighing interests of humans and animals the following animal dependent criteria can be distinguished: pain, health, welfare and integrity. Nearly all respondents (95%) answered that they would ideally take account of the welfare and/or integrity criterion, in addition to pain and health, in moral decision-making about treatment of animals. With regard to veterinary practice two important professional attitudes can be distinguished: an animal-oriented approach and a client-oriented approach. The survey revealed that the majority of practitioners (64%) give priority to the animal-oriented approach. Companion animal practitioners have a stronger animal-oriented attitude than farm animal and general practitioners, and female practitioners are more animal-oriented than their male colleagues. Regarding the process of moral decision-making, 78% of the practitioners want methodological support. The respondents prefer to be supported by means of discussion groups (51%) and post-academic education (34%). The survey revealed that 71% of the respondents are of the opinion that it is desirable that the veterinary profession takes a clear stand on particular ethical issues.