Risk tolerance among veterinary anaesthesia specialists and residents: a cross-sectional survey study.

Training level does not significantly influence risk tolerance in veterinary anaesthetists; guidelines may improve decision-making.

This cross-sectional survey study investigated risk tolerance among veterinary anaesthesia specialists and residents by presenting 10 hypothetical clinical scenarios to Diplomates and residents of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) and European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA). An anonymous online questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale was distributed to assess willingness to proceed with anaesthesia under various challenging conditions. Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant differences in risk tolerance between Diplomates and residents across most scenarios, suggesting that training level does not substantially influence anaesthetic decision-making. The single exception involved a 2-year-old dog with an undiagnosed heart murmur, where Diplomates were significantly more willing to proceed without recommending echocardiography compared to residents (p = 0.016). Qualitative analysis of free-text responses highlighted owner involvement in decision-making as the most frequently cited factor influencing clinical choices. Notably, 60.6% of respondents indicated that specific guidelines would be helpful when navigating the decision-making dilemmas presented in the survey. The authors conclude that anaesthetic risk tolerance in veterinary medicine is likely multifactorial and not solely dependent on training level. The findings underscore a perceived need within the specialty for evidence-based or consensus guidelines to support clinical decision-making, although further research is needed to determine the most effective format and scope for such guidelines.

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