Scientific Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if a tailored swine euthanasia training tool based on the Predictive Index (PI) Behavioral Assessment improves caretaker euthanasia attitudes, perceptions, and supports improved caretaker mental welfare. The PI Behavioral Assessment is an untimed, free-choice, self-report tool based on two questions: (1) how others expect them to act and (2) how they identified themselves.
These selected words were automatically categorized by the PI algorithm software and a caretaker was allocated a behavioral profile based on dominance, extraversion, patience, formality, and objectivity. These 17 PI Behavioral Assessment profiles were further grouped by the PI algorithm software into one of four categories referred to as “personality types” using a sailboat analogy: Bridge, Buffer, Rudder/Keel, and Sail. Four euthanasia training modules were created based on the personality types. Four surveys were created using Qualtrics. Caretakers signed a consent form in survey 1: consent form, demographics, and baseline viewpoints. A second and third survey were created for caretakers placed into PI euthanasia module trainings, survey 2: post-module training viewpoints and survey 3: module trained with on-farm experience. A fourth survey was designed for those that did not participate in the PI euthanasia module training, survey 4: control-no PI module trained only on-farm experience. A total of 95 TN visa holding caretakers were enrolled.
The PI module training was combined with hands-on farm company training. A total of 69 caretakers completed all surveys and were therefore included in the study (Sail n = 5, Bridge n = 12, Buffer n = 10, Rudder/Keel n = 26). The control group (n=16) was removed from the study due to 14 persons being classified as Rudder/Keel. Demographic data, caretaker preference on type of euthanasia training, and if they had personally euthanatized a pig on-farm will be descriptively presented. ANOVA analysis was performed between PI treatments for caretaker perceptions on the usefulness of the PI Behavioral Assessment module training, perceptions related to the on-farm euthanasia training, and caretaker perceptions and comfort level after eight weeks on-farm. Bivariate analysis was performed to compare caretaker rankings for questions related to perceptions, decisions, feelings, empathy, confidence, and knowledge regarding swine euthanasia between survey 1 and survey 3. P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be significant. The majority of respondents were male 37 SD 15 years and mostly identified as Mexican, Mexican-American or Chicanos from Mexico. The vast majority held a professional title. All caretakers regardless of PI treatment agreed that their emotional stress regarding euthanasia had been reduced and that the euthanasia modules were beneficial (P ³ 0.60). Furthermore, all caretakers agreed that the module training format, and information was suitable for learning and that they paid attention through the online module training (P ³ 0.39).
For the three case studies, caretakers agreed that there was enough reflection time for questions and prompts (P ³ 0.56). All caretakers regardless of PI treatment agreed that the on-farm euthanasia training was beneficial, they were more comfortable performing euthanasia that they knew what to expect, and that open-ended question dialog was encouraged (P ³ 0.15). Total of 38 caretakers thought both the PI module and on-farm trainings were valuable. There were 15 questions where caretakers changed their ranking between survey 1 (prior to any training) and survey 3 (after the PI Behavioral Assessment training combined with the on-farm euthanasia training).
The Bridge personality type changed across the five-point scale more than any other personality type with a total of eight questions that changed rankings. Rudder/Keel changed rankings on 5 questions with Buffer following with 4 questions that changed rankings. Interestingly, Sails only changed a ranking in one question (P £ 0.0001). In this study, we found that the PI Behavioral Assessment module training combined with the robust on-farm euthanasia training was preferred by the majority of TN caretakers regardless of personality.
Specific to the PI Behavioral Assessment module training, the intent of reducing emotional euthanasia stress prior to farm allocation was met. Furthermore, the on-farm euthanasia training mitigated caretaker euthanasia stress and provided the caretaker comfort in conversing with friends, family, and peers. Interestingly, TN caretakers did not differentiate between adult pigs and piglets regarding euthanasia.
