Abstract
Veterinary medicine consists of virtually the same medical specialties as human medicine, with veterinarians performing similar roles as medical doctors, albeit with different species. Despite these similarities, anecdotally, some perceptions of veterinarians as not “real doctors” persist. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare public perceptions of physicians and veterinarians. Participants were provided brief definitions of a physician and a veterinarian and then asked to provide a rating that best describes their perception with respect to 25 different personality characteristics/traits. A sample of 606 participants (unweighted) in the United States completed the survey. The results of this research show that the public tends to perceive veterinarians more favorably than physicians. More specifically, veterinarians were viewed as more approachable, sensitive, sympathetic, patient and understanding, while physicians were viewed as more proud, arrogant and overconfident. These results point to the favorable public perceptions of veterinarians. These findings are particularly relevant for veterinary educators who train the future workforce and have a significant role both in how the profession is portrayed and emphasizing the relationship between the public trust and social responsibility. Reinforcing the public’s strong trust in the veterinary profession throughout students’ education could enhance their own self-concept, self-esteem and overall mental health and well-being.
Highlights
IntroductionA 1999 study of the veterinary profession conducted in the United States found that veterinarians rate favorably among the pet owning public in comparison to other professionals, including physicians [1]
Veterinarians were viewed as more approachable, sensitive, sympathetic, patient and understanding, while physicians were viewed as more proud, arrogant and overconfident. These results point to the favorable public perceptions of veterinarians
A 1999 study of the veterinary profession conducted in the United States found that veterinarians rate favorably among the pet owning public in comparison to other professionals, including physicians [1]
Summary
A 1999 study of the veterinary profession conducted in the United States found that veterinarians rate favorably among the pet owning public in comparison to other professionals, including physicians [1]. A recent study of veterinary students’ values showed that the values that ranked highest for students were having fun in work and life, feeling respected for their work and gaining a sense of achievement, all intrinsic values [5]. Another noteworthy finding from this research was that veterinary students did not rate public contact high on the list of extrinsic values that were important to them, despite the fact that veterinarians will typically be called upon to be leaders in their community and have a certain degree of contact with the public that will undoubtedly influence the public perceptions of the profession. One aim of veterinary ethics teaching in the veterinary medicine
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