Systematic review of the prevalence of suicide in veterinary surgeons

Platt, Belinda; Hawton, Keith; Simkin, Sue; Mellanby, Richard J.

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqq044

Cited by 121 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Recent years have seen an increasing focus on wellbeing in the veterinary profession, partly because of proportional mortality ratios (PMR) for suicide among veterinarians indicating increased risk for suicide in comparison even with other high-risk populations, including doctors and dentists 1,2 . This also raises the question of where wellbeing in the profession begins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vocation, Belongingness, and Balance: A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Student Well-Being

Cardwell¹,

Lewis²

2017

Journal of Veterinary Medical Education

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An elevated risk for suicide among veterinarians has stimulated research into the mental health of the veterinary profession, and more recently attention has turned to the veterinary student population. This study sought to qualitatively explore UK veterinary students' perceptions and experiences of university life, and to consider how these may impact upon wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen students from a single UK school, who had been purposively selected to include male, female, graduate, widening participation and standard entry perspectives across all five years of the course. Three main themes were identified; a deep-rooted vocation, navigating belongingness and finding balance. Participants described a long-standing aim to become a veterinarian, with a determination reflected by often circuitous routes to veterinary school and little or no consideration of alternatives. Although some had been motivated by a love of animals, others were intrinsically interested in the scientific and problem-solving challenges of veterinary medicine and most expressed strong feelings of empathy with animal owners. The issue of belongingness was central to participants' experiences, with accounts reflecting their efforts to negotiate a sense of belongingness both in student and professional communities. Accounts also frequently reflected a degree of acceptance of poor balance between work and relaxation, with implications of a belief that this imbalance could be rectified later. Findings from this study support initiatives aiming to nurture a sense of collegiality among veterinary students as they progress through training and on into the profession, as well as highlighting future avenues for research.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vocation, Belongingness, and Balance: A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Student Well-Being

Cardwell¹,

Lewis²

2017

Journal of Veterinary Medical Education

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“…Platt et al [15,16], did a systematic review of the prevalence of suicide in veterinary surgeons and concluded that the risk was at least three times that of the general population in the UK and the risk is also elevated in some other countries. Access to methods, including weapons and pharmaceutical agents is a common factor in deaths of veterinarians.…”

Section: 22mentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment, Palliative Care or Euthanasia? Comparing End of Life Issues in Veterinary and Human

Re¹,

Jw²

2017

Preprint

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This is the second of a series of two papers comparing the end of life issues in human and veterinary medicine. We outline the main differences between human and animal patients such as patient communication, finance and 'conflicts of interest' between animal, owner and veterinarian. We discuss striking similarities between human and veterinary issues such as assessing quality of life and the primary role of the attending veterinarian or doctor being the welfare and care of the patient. This paper takes the form of an ethical argument in favour of allowing euthanasia in human medicine, by providing insights into end of life issues for humans from an independent veterinary perspective. Veterinary surgeons are well trained in the ethics of euthanasia and put it to good use in the best interest of their animal patients. Doctors in the UK are limited and unwilling to put forward a case for the option of euthanasia for those patients who face a slow and agonizing death. With advances in medical science being able to significantly prolong the dying process, autonomy for the patient demands a review of the law regarding patient choice in the UK.

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“…8 Teaching and learning in AWE are particularly important for veterinary students as developing ethical skills may assist in dealing with the psychological work-related challenges veterinarians experience. 9,10 For instance, research undertaken on veterinary students at the University of Queensland Australia suggests that those students who understand and appeal to ethical norms for guidance in decision making are less likely to suffer moral distress. 11 Engaging veterinary students in interactive activities based on moral development theory and ethical decision making can develop their moral judgment skills, 12 and may help to counter the desensitization of students during their veterinary training.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Animal Welfare Science and Ethics to Veterinary Students in Australia and New Zealand

Freire¹,

Phillips

Verrinder

et al. 2017

Journal of Veterinary Medical Education

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The study of animal welfare and ethics (AWE) as part of veterinary education is important due to increasing community concerns and expectations about this topic, global pressures regarding food security, and the requirements of veterinary accreditation, especially with respect to Day One Competences. To address several key questions regarding the attitudes to AWE of veterinary students in Australia and New Zealand (NZ), the authors surveyed the 2014 cohort of these students. The survey aimed (1) to reveal what AWE topics veterinary students in Australia and NZ consider important as Day One Competences, and (2) to ascertain how these priorities align with existing research on how concern for AWE relates to gender and stage of study. Students identified triage and professional ethics as the most important Day One Competences in AWE. Students ranked an understanding of triage as increasingly important as they progressed through their program. Professional ethics was rated more important by early and mid-stage students than by senior students. Understanding the development of animal welfare science and perspectives on animal welfare were rated as being of little importance to veterinary graduates as Day One Competences, and an understanding of ''why animal welfare matters'' declined as the students progressed through the program. Combined, these findings suggest that veterinary students consider it more important to have the necessary practical skills and knowledge to function as a veterinarian on their first day in practice.

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Systematic review of the prevalence of suicide in veterinary surgeons

Abstract: There appears to be an elevated risk of suicide for veterinary surgeons in several countries. Access to means of suicide influences the methods used and may contribute to increased risk.

Cited by 121 publications

References 22 publications

Vocation, Belongingness, and Balance: A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Student Well-Being

Vocation, Belongingness, and Balance: A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Student Well-Being

Treatment, Palliative Care or Euthanasia? Comparing End of Life Issues in Veterinary and Human

The Importance of Animal Welfare Science and Ethics to Veterinary Students in Australia and New Zealand

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