THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARIANS OF ONTARIO
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CODE OF ETHICS
Ethical Dilemma
CLIENT QUESTIONS ETHICS AFTER BOUNDARY VIOLATION
The College recently published a Code of Ethics outlining the core values and principles of the profession . Veterinarians hold themselves and their colleagues to a high ethical standard . That would appear to be a “ given ” for any professional . So why was it necessary to create a Code of Ethics ? Let ’ s look at a situation that was reported to the College to help answer that question .
A member of the public asked the College if there was a code of practice in place with regards to veterinarians forming personal relationships with clients as there are in other health care professions ( where they would be patients ).
Her cat was ill and needed ongoing care . During this time , her veterinarian decided to ask her out on a date . The client declined . She now questioned this veterinarian ’ s ethics . If the veterinarian thought that it was okay to cross the boundary from professional to personal , could he still be trusted to provide the best care for her cat if he felt slighted by her declining to engage in a personal relationship ?
It would be easy to say this client could just go to another clinic if she was no longer comfortable with nor trusted her current veterinarian . That ’ s not the point . It should not have happened in the first place . A client seeking help for their animal should not be
subjected to unethical behaviour or “ conduct unbecoming a veterinarian ” ( Regulation 1093 s17 ( 1 ) ss 45 ). And it is not necessarily easy for someone to establish a new veterinarianclient-patient relationship especially when their animal is ill . Besides the emotional stress , there is the time and money invested .
In some areas of the province , veterinary care can be limited resulting in fewer options for clients to turn to . The client in our scenario had invested a great deal of energy into her pet ’ s medical needs and now felt that she had to start all over again . Not an ideal situation for her or her cat to be in .
It would also be easy to say that this veterinarian should have known better ; that his conduct was inappropriate . For some people , that is not necessarily intuitive . A written Code of Ethics puts into writing the values of the profession . For the veterinarian in this scenario , it would have outlined to him that to demonstrate “ Professionalism ” a veterinarian “ maintains appropriate and dignified boundaries in the client relationship …”.
Earning and maintaining public trust through ethical practice is fundamental to the delivery of safe veterinary care . Developing a Code of Ethics is a reminder to veterinarians of the guiding principles of the profession to follow when treating patients and interacting with clients .
For the public , a Code of Ethics is one means to help earn trust as it illustrates the high ethical standards the profession holds itself accountable to . So , even with a “ given ”, like ethical behaviour , it appears that it is important to have it written down .
The Code of Ethics for the veterinary profession was adopted in December 2015 . The Code of Ethics is an official document of the College and is to be considered alongside professional practice standards in interpreting the overarching standard of practice of the profession .
Find the Code of Ethics on the College ’ s website at
www . cvo . org / Code-of-Ethics
December 2015
CODE of ETHICS
Preamble As members of a self-regulated profession who serve the public and society , veterinarians earn and maintain the public trust through engagement in principle-guided ethical practice . Veterinarians hold themselves , their colleagues , and their profession to a high standard of ethical conduct , reflecting the core values and principles of the profession . The College and the public have the reasonable expectation that the care and service provided by veterinarians reflects these values .
CORE VALUES Core values are the foundation for ethical care and service in veterinary medicine . Core values guide veterinarians in the delivery of ethical care and service and are the foundation from which ethical principles are derived .
COMPASSION TRUSTWORTHINESS
A veterinarian acts with compassion when he / she : A veterinarian demonstrates trustworthiness when she / he :
• Acts with empathy and humanity while balancing
• Is honest , reliable and competent . understandings of the interests of the animal , client , public , and environmental health and well-being . PROFESSIONALISM
A veterinarian demonstrates professionalism when he / she : TRANSPARENCY
• Adheres to legislated requirements and standards
A veterinarian fosters transparency when he / she : of practice .
• Is truthful , accountable , and communicative in a
• Reflects the values and principles of the profession in manner that promotes and protects professional his / her behaviour and attitudes . relationships with clients , colleagues ,
• Engages in collaborative care with clients , colleagues , and the public . and peers .
• Presents treatment options in a clear unbiased manner , • Maintains appropriate and dignified boundaries in the striving to ensure that the client fully understands the client relationship and all professional interactions . information presented . RESPECT
COMPETENCE A veterinarian promotes competence when he / she :
A veterinarian is respectful when he / she :
• Engages in the ongoing , reflective application of related
• Demonstrates respect for a client ’ s autonomy , knowledge , skills , and attitudes that are expressed in choice , time , financial resources , privacy and right to professional behaviour related to the delivery of quality confidentiality . care and service and the advancement of veterinary
• Demonstrates respect for animals he / she treats , public medicine , animal welfare , and public health and safety . safety and the environment .
• Demonstrates respect for colleagues , peers and all members of the veterinary care team .
College Staff
Registrar ’ s Office Ms . Jan Robinson - Registrar & CEO
Ms . Anita Lovrich Policy Specialist
Ms . Kim Huson Communications Specialist
Corporate Services
Ms . Beth Ready Executive Partner , Corporate Services
Ms . Shauna Spencer Ambassador , Corporate Services
Ms . Jagroop Ratia Acting Associate , Corporate Services
Licensure
Ms . Shilo Tooze Senior Partner , Licensure
Ms . Lindsay Mitchell Principal , Licensure & Professional Corporations
Ms . Iryna Trask Associate , Licensure & Professional Corporations
Ms . Rose Robinson Principal , Investigations & Resolutions
Ms . Sharan Ghandial Associate , Investigations & Resolutions
Mr . Martin Fischer Investigations & Inspections Specialist
Quality Practice
Dr . Susan Sabatini Practice Advisor
Ms . Megan Callaway Principal , Quality Practice
Ms . Aneeta Bharij Principal , Accreditation
Accreditation Inspectors Mr . Brian Redpath Mr . Wilf Muller Mr . Adrian Darmon
Spring 2016 / 5