Ethical challenges facing veterinary professionals in Ireland: results from Policy Delphi with vignette methodology

Abstract

Ethics is key to the integrity of the veterinary profession. Despite its importance, there is a lack of applied research on the range of ethical challenges faced by veterinarians. A three round Policy Delphi with vignette methodology was used to record the diversity of views on ethical challenges faced by veterinary professionals in Ireland. Forty experts, comprising veterinary practitioners, inspectors and nurses, accepted to participate. In round 1, twenty vignettes describing a variety of ethically challenging veterinary scenarios were ranked in terms of ethical acceptability, reputational risk and perceived standards of practice. Round 2 aimed at characterising challenges where future policy development or professional guidance was deemed to be needed. In round 3, possible solutions to key challenges were explored. Results suggest that current rules and regulations are insufficient to ensure best veterinary practices and that a collective approach is needed to harness workable solutions for the identified ethical challenges. Challenges pertaining mostly to the food chain seem to require enforcement measures whereas softer measures that promote professional discretion were preferred to address challenges dealing with veterinary clinical services. These findings can support veterinary representative bodies, advisory committees and regulatory authorities in their decision making, policy and regulation.

Keywords: Ethical Vignettes; Ireland; Policy Delphi; Veterinary ethics; Veterinary profession.

Fig 1:

Participants’ experience in veterinary policy making. No, no experience; AHI, Animal Health Ireland; EFSA, European Food Safety Authority; FAWAC, Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council; FVE/WVA, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe/World Veterinary Association; FSAI, Food Safety Authority of Ireland; FVO, Food and Veterinary Office; HPRA, Health Products Regulatory Authority; IVNA, Irish Veterinary Nursing Association; VCI, Veterinary Council of Ireland; VI, Veterinary Ireland; VOA, Veterinary Officers Association

Fig 2:

Policy Delphi participants’ areas of professional activity. Twenty-one participants (52.5 per cent) selected more than one area

Fig 3:

Box plot diagram with results as regards the reputation of the veterinary profession (orange boxes indicate the second and the third quartiles; bold bars denote the median; whiskers indicate the 5th and 95th centiles; dots and stars denote outliers and extreme scores, identified by respondents’ Personal Identification number (PIN)). The number of the vignette (V) and a brief description (e.g. Food safety (mislabelling of beef)) is provided. Three participants represented 40 per cent of outlier/extreme responses (vn13, vp25, vp27)

Fig 4:

Order of priority (1—top priority; 5—lowest priority) in terms of policy development or professional guidance for five veterinary ethical challenges on ‘Certification’, ‘Professional Conduct and Working Relations’ and ‘Animal Health and Welfare’ presented on round 2 of Policy Delphi

Fig 5:

Percentage (left) and total number (right) of responses as to which organisations should contribute to addressing each of the six ethical challenges presented on round 3 of Policy Delphi. HPRA, Health Products Regulatory Authority; VOA, Veterinary Officers Association; FSAI, Food Safety Authority of Ireland; IVNA, Irish Veterinary Nursing Association; UCD Vet, University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine; DAFM, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; VCI, Veterinary Council of Ireland; VI, Veterinary Ireland. N/A, not applicable answer

Fig 6:

Percentage (left) and total number (right) of responses as to which solutions can be used to address each of the six ethical challenges presented on round 3 of Policy Delphi. CVE, Continuing Veterinary Education; N/A, not applicable answer

Fig 7:

Percentage (left) and total number (right) of responses as to which solution is most likely to effect change for each of the six ethical challenges presented on round 3 of Policy Delphi. CVE, Continuing Veterinary Education; N/A, not applicable answer