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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2013; 197(3); 535-540; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.021

The role of veterinarians in equestrian sport: a comparative review of ethical issues surrounding human and equine sports medicine.

Abstract: Veterinarians have a key role in providing medical care for sports horses during and between competitions, but the standard client:veterinarian relationship that exists in companion and production animal medicine is distorted by the involvement of third parties in sports medicine, resulting in distinct ethical dilemmas which warrant focused academic attention. By comparing the existing literature on human sports medicine, this article reviews the ethical dilemmas which face veterinarians treating equine athletes, and the role of regulators in contributing to or resolving those dilemmas. Major ethical dilemmas occur both between and during competitions. These include conflicts of responsibility, conflicts between the need for client confidentiality and the need to share information in order to maximise animal welfare, and the need for an evidence base for treatment. Although many of the ethical problems faced in human and equine sports medicine are similar, the duty conferred upon a veterinarian by the licensing authority to ensure the welfare of animals committed to his or her care requires different obligations to those of a human sports medicine doctor. Suggested improvements to current practice which would help to address ethical dilemmas in equine sports medicine include an enhanced system for recording equine injuries, the use of professional Codes of Conduct and Codes of Ethics to establish acceptable responses to common ethical problems, and insistence that treatment of equine athletes is evidence-based (so far as possible) rather than economics-driven.
Copyright © 2013 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-06-15 PubMed ID: 23773811PubMed Central: PMC3898908DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.021Google 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.

The research article focuses on the ethical dilemmas faced by veterinarians in equestrian sports, drawing comparisons with the field of human sports medicine. The paper discusses the unique challenges that affect the traditional client-veterinarian relationship in sports medicine due to third parties and proposes solutions to address these issues.

Ethical Dilemmas in Veterinary Sports Medicine

In the field of equestrian sports, veterinarians are confronted with distinct ethical dilemmas that disrupt the standard client:veterinarian relationship. These dilemmas are amplified by the presence of third parties such as trainers, owners, and sports regulators. The study highlights:

  • Conflicts of Responsibility: Tensions can arise between the duty to ensure animal welfare and the competitive demands of the sport. These can be exacerbated by pressure from third parties.
  • Balancing Client Confidentiality and Animal Welfare: Veterinarians may be caught in a conflict between maintaining client confidentiality and sharing vital information to maximize the welfare of the horse.
  • Need for Evidence-based Treatment: The pressure to deliver results can lead to treatments that prioritize quick results rather than being founded on rigorous scientific evidence.

The Role of Regulators

The paper stresses the crucial role of regulators in addressing or potentially contributing to these dilemmas. The licensing authority confers upon the veterinarian the responsibility to prioritize the welfare of the animals under their care.

Comparison with Human Sports Medicine

The study compares the ethical issues in veterinary sports medicine with those in human sports medicine. While there are similarities, the obligation for a veterinarian to ensure animal welfare creates unique challenges, particularly since animals cannot advocate for their own well-being.

Proposed Improvements to Current Practice

The paper suggests various measures to address the ethical dilemmas in equine sports medicine:

  • Enhanced Injury Recording System: A more detailed and efficient system for documenting equine injuries would lead to better understanding and improved treatments.
  • Professional Codes of Conduct and Ethics: These codes could provide guidance on acceptable responses to common ethical problems, helping veterinarians navigate through ethical dilemmas.
  • Evidence-based Treatments: Drawing from scientific research would ensure treatments that prioritize the horse’s welfare, not just immediate competitive success.

Cite This Article

APA
Campbell ML. (2013). The role of veterinarians in equestrian sport: a comparative review of ethical issues surrounding human and equine sports medicine. Vet J, 197(3), 535-540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.021

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 197
Issue: 3
Pages: 535-540
PII: S1090-0233(13)00237-2

Researcher Affiliations

Campbell, Madeleine L H
  • Department of Production and Population Health, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. Electronic address: mcampbell@rvc.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Sports
  • Sports Medicine / ethics
  • Veterinarians / ethics
  • Veterinary Sports Medicine / ethics

Grant Funding

  • Wellcome Trust

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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  2. Tilley P, Simões J, Sales Luis JP. Effects of a 15° Variation in Poll Flexion during Riding on the Respiratory Systems and Behaviour of High-Level Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 22;13(10).
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  3. Wolframm IA, Douglas J, Pearson G. Changing Hearts and Minds in the Equestrian World One Behaviour at a Time. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 19;13(4).
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