Contributing to evidence-based veterinary medicine: A qualitative study of veterinary professionals' views and experiences of client-owned companion animal research.
Authors: Furtado Tamzin, Perkins Elizabeth, Archer Debra C
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Veterinary professionals recognise the critical importance of robust evidence to guide clinical decision-making in companion animal practice, yet the evidence base remains substantially weaker than in human medicine. Furtado and colleagues conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 UK-based veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses across diverse clinical settings to explore barriers and enablers to their participation in clinical research. Whilst participants demonstrated clear willingness to contribute to evidence generation, three substantial obstacles emerged: insufficient time and institutional resources, limited research training and support networks, and genuine discomfort with informed consent conversations—particularly around potential welfare trade-offs when animals are randomised to specific treatment protocols. The research highlights a fundamental tension in veterinary practice between the clinician's duty of beneficence to individual patients and participation in studies that might temporarily disadvantage enrolled animals for broader knowledge gain. To strengthen the evidence base in equine and companion animal medicine, the authors advocate for targeted funding, formalised research skills development, dedicated support infrastructure, and regulatory clarification that addresses welfare concerns—changes that would enable practitioners to contribute meaningfully to evidence-based advancement without compromising their core commitment to patient welfare.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Evidence gaps exist in companion animal treatment outcomes—if you're making clinical decisions, recognize that best available evidence may be limited and seek consensus guidelines where research is sparse
- •Research participation barriers are real: time and resource constraints are legitimate practical concerns, not lack of willingness—advocate for institutional support and research infrastructure at your clinic
- •Owner communication about research studies requires thoughtful explanation of potential benefits and risks; develop clear consent processes that address welfare concerns honestly
Key Findings
- •Veterinary professionals value evidence-based treatment information but report insufficient available evidence to support clinical decisions
- •Lack of time, resources, research skills, and institutional support are primary barriers preventing veterinary professionals from participating in research
- •Veterinary professionals experience difficulty communicating research participation to owners and concerns about potential animal welfare disadvantages in treatment assignment
- •Funding, research training, resources, support networks, and regulatory changes are identified as necessary interventions to improve evidence generation in companion animal medicine