college connection
ETHICAL DILEMMA
GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE
BEST COMPASS FOR OUR ACTIONS
If your intention is to help someone, does that
justify an unethical action? Some would argue
that if no harm occurred (to people, animals,
or the environment) then bending the rules to
help someone can be justified. This seems
like a reasonable argument. Let’s look at a few
scenarios, which, although altered somewhat for
clarity, have been presented to the College.
Pit bull or a boxer?
A client rescues a pit bull and wants to keep it.
The dog is friendly with adults and children, and
is getting along well with her other pets. The
client is aware of the Dog Owners Liability Act
and the ban on pit bulls. In assessing the dog,
you find it is a very nice dog which you know will
have a good home. You agree to list the dog as
a “boxer cross” on your medical records and
vaccine certificates in case the dog’s breed is
questioned. The client is happy and the dog
gets a good home.
Providing medication?
A friend has been prescribed medication
by his family physician and asks to buy the
medications at cost from you. You are aware
your friend is having financial difficulties and
does not have a benefits plan to cover drug
costs. You agree to the request as you have the
medication in stock. Your friend is thankful and
you are happy to have helped ease his financial
stress.
Falsifying records?
A client wants to purchase insurance for his cat.
To get the best coverage, he asks you to change
an entry in your medical record so there won’t
be restrictions on his cat’s policy. You make the
change as full insurance coverage would be in
your patient’s and client’s best interests.
The Ethical Dilemmas
In each scenario, everyone is happy with the
outcome; no (apparent) harm occurred, and
the veterinarians justify their actions even if
they contravene legislation and are unethical.
However, once you engage in unethical
behaviours such as falsifying records and
overstepping your dispensing framework, where
does it end?
It becomes easier to rationalize other unethical
and potentially harmful behaviours. If the friend
in the scenario above had said the prescription
was for a controlled substance would that
be different? You could still justify the action
as helping a friend who needs access to the
drugs. But a controlled substance poses more
risk of harm and has abuse potential. Is the
friend really being “helped”? What if clients
tell their friends about their veterinarian that
helps them out by “fixing” their records? Do
you want referrals to your clinic to be based on
this reputation? What other requests may these
clients make in the name of “helping them out”?
Code of Ethics
The College’s Code of Ethics lists the core
values that guide veterinarians in the delivery of
ethical care and service. Two of those values
are transparency and trustworthiness which are
defined, in part, as being truthful and honest.
When clients ask for your help in a way that is
deemed unethical, remind them your profession
has a Code of Ethics, and explain to them why
you cannot fulfill their request. Work with them to
find another solution.
Our behaviours as individuals reflect on our
professional reputations and the profession as
a whole. Let’s continue to earn the public’s trust
by maintaining the high ethical standards the
profession holds itself accountable to.
College Connection is the official publication
of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario,
informing members on regulatory issues,
with the expectation that members will
govern themselves accordingly. College
Connection is charged with the responsibility
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defensible information.
College of Veterinarians
of Ontario
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are public information and are
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public. Summaries are posted in
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Discipline-Orders). All findings are
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Discipline Summaries recently
posted are as follows:
Dr. Amarjeet Saini
Dr. Joy Courey
Dr. Aliasghar Torabi
Dr. Mahavir Rekhi
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