Integrating Science and Well-Being

Abstract

Veterinary medicine has traditionally functioned as an art and a science, that is, as knowledge of general principles and knowledge of, and relationship with, the individual animal and their caregiver. With the advent of increasing specialization, this intimate knowledge of the individual is being lost. This has great ramifications for diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the particular personality and tendencies of the patient helps differentiate between behavioral issues and fully medical issues. Excessive "scientization" in veterinary medicine needs to be addressed in veterinary medical education.

Keywords: Art and science of veterinary medicine; Ethics of specialization; Moral stress; Suicide; Veterinarians as animal advocates; Veterinarians as family members.