Challenges of future vets – the impact of the killing of animals during education on veterinary students’ wellbeing

Abstract

End-of-animal life (EOL) situations are a common phenomenon in veterinary practice. These EOL situations can lead to distress for the veterinarian when an ethical dilemma or conflict arises. This distress can have an impact on the personal and professional well-being of veterinary professionals. Such distress may already be present when veterinary students gain their first experience with ending an animal’s life in an educational setting. To study this claim, we set up an explorative study focusing on: (1) how veterinary students experience the ending of an animal’s life during an obligatory course; and (2) the impact of their experience on their wellbeing. Qualitative data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with twelve students. Template analysis was used to determine themes within the interview transcripts. The data reveal that students’ previous experiences with EOL situations were predominantly influenced by the student’s perspective on the motive of the owner, the bond with the animal, and the procedure. Students shared that their experience with ending an animal’s life during the course was mainly influenced by the health status of the animal, the bond with the animal, the procedure, and the learning environment. We observed that depending on the dynamic of these aspects a positive or negative impact on the well-being of the student is noticed during or shortly after the course. Based on this study we have more knowledge on what factors affect a student’s experience with an EOL situation and how this can affect the student’s well-being. These insights can be of added value in developing or evaluating veterinary education on EOL situations.