Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services
Abstract Background The provision of veterinary clinical services is known to elicit a range of challenges which require an ethical appraisal. In a recent Policy Delphi study, referrals/second opinions and 24 h emergency care were identified as matters of key concern by veterinary professionals in I...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Irish Veterinary Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13620-017-0096-7 |
| _version_ | 1818503995822440448 |
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| author | Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana Simon J. More David B. Morton Alison J. Hanlon |
| author_facet | Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana Simon J. More David B. Morton Alison J. Hanlon |
| author_sort | Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The provision of veterinary clinical services is known to elicit a range of challenges which require an ethical appraisal. In a recent Policy Delphi study, referrals/second opinions and 24 h emergency care were identified as matters of key concern by veterinary professionals in Ireland. In this case study (the first in a series of three resulting from a research workshop exploring challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland; the other two case studies investigate the on-farm use of veterinary antimicrobials and emergency/casualty slaughter certification) we aim to provide a value-based reflection on the constraints and possible opportunities for two prominent veterinary clinical services in Ireland: referrals/second opinions and 24 h emergency care. Results Using a qualitative focus group approach, this study gathered evidence from relevant stakeholders, namely referral and referring veterinarians, clients, animal charities, and the regulatory body. Six overarching, interrelated constraints emerged from the thematic analysis: the need to improve current guidance, managing clients’ expectations, concerns with veterinarian well-being, financial issues, timeliness of referral, and conflicts between veterinary practices. Conclusions Possible solutions to improve veterinary referral and out-of-hours clinical services included clarifying the terms used in current norms and regulations (namely ‘referral’, ‘second opinion’, ‘24 h emergency care’ and ‘24 h cover’), improved communication (making the client aware of the different levels of veterinary care that are being offered, and transparent and full disclosure of clinical records), and the promotion of Continuing Veterinary Education in communication, business management and ethical decision-making. These findings may help inform the Veterinary Council of Ireland about future recommendations and regulatory measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:31:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3770e770d7764c2b9cf129d57e0910ee |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2046-0481 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:31:12Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Irish Veterinary Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-3770e770d7764c2b9cf129d57e0910ee2022-12-22T01:32:47ZengBMCIrish Veterinary Journal2046-04812017-06-017011810.1186/s13620-017-0096-7Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary servicesManuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana0Simon J. More1David B. Morton2Alison J. Hanlon3Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Av. José R. Sousa Fernandes, Campus Universitário - Bloco BCentre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College DublinSchool of BioSciences, University of BirminghamSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University College DublinAbstract Background The provision of veterinary clinical services is known to elicit a range of challenges which require an ethical appraisal. In a recent Policy Delphi study, referrals/second opinions and 24 h emergency care were identified as matters of key concern by veterinary professionals in Ireland. In this case study (the first in a series of three resulting from a research workshop exploring challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland; the other two case studies investigate the on-farm use of veterinary antimicrobials and emergency/casualty slaughter certification) we aim to provide a value-based reflection on the constraints and possible opportunities for two prominent veterinary clinical services in Ireland: referrals/second opinions and 24 h emergency care. Results Using a qualitative focus group approach, this study gathered evidence from relevant stakeholders, namely referral and referring veterinarians, clients, animal charities, and the regulatory body. Six overarching, interrelated constraints emerged from the thematic analysis: the need to improve current guidance, managing clients’ expectations, concerns with veterinarian well-being, financial issues, timeliness of referral, and conflicts between veterinary practices. Conclusions Possible solutions to improve veterinary referral and out-of-hours clinical services included clarifying the terms used in current norms and regulations (namely ‘referral’, ‘second opinion’, ‘24 h emergency care’ and ‘24 h cover’), improved communication (making the client aware of the different levels of veterinary care that are being offered, and transparent and full disclosure of clinical records), and the promotion of Continuing Veterinary Education in communication, business management and ethical decision-making. These findings may help inform the Veterinary Council of Ireland about future recommendations and regulatory measures.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13620-017-0096-724 h careEmergency coverFocus groupProfessional ethicsReferralsSecond opinions |
| spellingShingle | Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana Simon J. More David B. Morton Alison J. Hanlon Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services Irish Veterinary Journal 24 h care Emergency cover Focus group Professional ethics Referrals Second opinions |
| title | Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services |
| title_full | Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services |
| title_fullStr | Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services |
| title_short | Challenges facing the veterinary profession in Ireland: 1. clinical veterinary services |
| title_sort | challenges facing the veterinary profession in ireland 1 clinical veterinary services |
| topic | 24 h care Emergency cover Focus group Professional ethics Referrals Second opinions |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13620-017-0096-7 |
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