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Australian veterinary journal2021; 99(8); 334-343; doi: 10.1111/avj.13077

How decision-making about euthanasia for animals is taught to Australasian veterinary students.

Abstract: This study set out to explore how euthanasia decision-making for animals was taught to students in eight Australasian veterinary schools. A questionnaire-style interview guide was used by a representative at each university to interview educators. Educators were interviewed about their teaching of euthanasia decision-making for four categories of animals: livestock, equine, companion and avian/wildlife. Using thematic analysis, the terms provided by participants to describe how (mode of teaching) and what (specific content) they taught to students were categorised. Information about content was categorised into human-centred factors that influence decision-making, and animal-based indicators used to directly inform decision-making. All eight representatives reported some teaching relevant to euthanasia decision-making at their university for livestock, companion animal and avian/wildlife. One representative reported no such teaching for equid animals at their university. Observation of a euthanasia case was rarely reported as a teaching method. Five universities reported multiple modes of teaching relevant information, while two universities made use of modalities that could be described as opportunistic teaching (e.g., 'Discussion of clinical cases'). Factors taught at most universities included financial considerations, and that it is the owner's decision to make, while animal-based indicators taught included QoL/animal welfare, prognosis and behaviour change. Overall, most universities used a variety of methods to cover relevant material, usually including lectures and several other approaches for all animal types. However, because two universities relied on presentation of clinical cases, not all students at these veterinary schools will be exposed to make, or assist in making, euthanasia decisions.
© 2021 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-17 PubMed ID: 34002368DOI: 10.1111/avj.13077Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores how veterinary students in eight Australasian schools are taught decision-making processes related to animal euthanasia. The teaching methods and content are examined and categorized based on educator interviews, revealing various approaches and indicating aspects that need improvement.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a study to ascertain how euthanasia decision-making is taught in veterinary schools by interviewing a representative educator from each school.
  • These representatives provided information on how, and what, they taught students regarding euthanasia related decisions for different types of animals – livestock, equine, companion animals, and avian/wildlife.
  • An interview guide fashioned like a questionnaire was used in this process, ensuring the data collected could be comparatively analysed.

Research Findings

  • The profiles of teaching methods were categorised through thematic analysis. Teaching methodologies included direct instruction, observation-based, and experiential learning.
  • All participating universities reported teaching about euthanasia decision-making related to livestock, companion animals, and avian/wildlife, excluding an institution which didn’t report teachings related to equid animals.
  • Interestingly, observation of an actual euthanasia case was sparsely reported as a teaching method.
  • Five universities were found to employ diverse methods for teaching euthanasia decision-making, whereas the remaining three mainly relied on clinical case presentations, described as ‘opportunistic teaching’.

Content of Teaching

  • The teaching content was separated into two categories: human-centred factors that affect decision-making and animal-based indicators that directly influence decisions.
  • Topics commonly covered at most universities included financial considerations and the emphasis that it’s the owner’s ultimate decision on euthanasia. Animal-based indicators included ones like quality of life, prognosis, and behaviour changes.
  • However, the reliance on opportunistic teaching methods by some universities means that not all students are appropriately exposed to euthanasia decision-making situations.

Conclusions

  • Overall, the study reveals that most veterinary schools use a mix of methods to teach euthanasia decision-making and cover a wide range of influencing factors, both human-centred and animal-based.
  • However, some inconsistencies were detected, mainly with the universities that depended on clinical case presentations, calling for some improvements in teaching approaches for all veterinary schools.

Cite This Article

APA
Littlewood KE, Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Stephens C, Collins T, Quain A, Hazel S, Lloyd JF, Mallia C, Richards L, Wedler NK, Zito S. (2021). How decision-making about euthanasia for animals is taught to Australasian veterinary students. Aust Vet J, 99(8), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13077

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 99
Issue: 8
Pages: 334-343

Researcher Affiliations

Littlewood, K E
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
Beausoleil, N J
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
Stafford, K J
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
Stephens, C
  • School of Psychology, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
Collins, T
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
Quain, A
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Hazel, S
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.
Lloyd, Jk F
  • Discipline of Veterinary Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 Solander Drive, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia.
Mallia, C
  • School of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, New South Wales, 2640, Australia.
Richards, L
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia.
Wedler, N K
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
Zito, S
  • Animal Welfare Science and Education Department, Royal New Zealand SPCA National Office, 3047 Great North Road, Auckland, 0640, New Zealand.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Education, Veterinary
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life
  • Students

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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