Justifying Euthanasia: A Qualitative Study of Veterinarians' Ethical Boundary Work of "Good" Killing.

ABSTRACT: (1) Veterinarians are regularly required to euthanize their "objects of care" as part of their work, which distinguishes them from other healthcare professionals. This paper examines how veterinarians navigate the ethical tensions inherent in euthanasia, particularly the collision between the routine practice of killing animals within their profession and the broader social and moral implications. (2) Using the sociological concept of ethical boundary work as a theoretical framework, this research observes how veterinarians draw boundaries by positioning their euthanasia practices on the ethical "good" spectrum. A grounded theory study of 17 qualitative interviews with veterinarians was conducted. (3) The findings highlight differences in ethical boundary work within veterinary medicine, p

SUBMITTER: Bubeck MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10416879 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature