REVISED CODE OF ETHICS PROVIDES
HELP WITH DECISION-MAKING
AVAILABLE ONLINE
Veterinarians earn and maintain the
public trust through engagement in
ethical practice. Veterinarians hold
themselves, their colleagues, and their
profession to a high standard of ethical
conduct.
The Code of Ethics provides a framework
to guide veterinarians in ethical decision
making. The Code of Ethics reflects
both professional aspirations and client
expectations.
As well as the Code of Ethics, the College
provides a Guide to the Code of Ethics
and a video to assist with guidance on
ethical decision-making.
When faced with an ethical dilemma, it
can be helpful to structure the thinking
that is needed to make an ethical
decision. The Code of Ethics outlines
the profession-based values and ethical
principles that need to be considered in
that decision and gives guidance on how
one is to act as a morally responsible
member of the veterinary profession.
The following questions can be asked in
the approach to ethical decision making:
1. What are the possible courses of
action that can be taken?
2. Who are the parties that will be
affected by the decision?
3. What are the interests of each party?
4. How are those interests weighed
and prioritized?
5. Once a decision is made, how is the
impact of the ethical decision further
minimized?
The Guide to the Code of Ethics provides
further information on the consideration
at each level of questioning.
As well, Guidance on Professionalism in
Veterinary Medicine is a helpful resource
that supports veterinarians in their
ethical decision making.
For further information, please visit the
College’s website at cvo.org/ethics.
Veterinarian-Client-
Patient Relationship
The Veterinarian-Client-
Patient Relationship (VCPR)
is the foundation of effective
veterinary medicine and animal
care. You need to have sufficient
and recent knowledge of the
animal(s) to provide diagnosis,
medications and treatment
plans. You present options, the
course and cost of treatment,
and the expectations for
outcome to help ensure your
client fully understands the
issues and accepts the advice
you provide. The College
provides resources, including
posters, pamphlets and videos,
to assist you in helping the
public understand the VCPR.
Veterinary Facility
Accreditation Emblem
The College’s facility
accreditation program supports
safe patient care. For the past
five years, the College has
offered veterinary facilities
use of a facility accreditation
emblem and window decal
to demonstrate to the public
they are committed to
veterinary health care, meet the
accreditation requirements and
support the College’s inspection
program. The social media and
website emblem and window
decal are available at cvo.org/
getemblem.
College of Veterinarians of Ontario
2106 Gordon Street, Guelph, ON N1L 1G6
Phone: (519) 824-5600 | Toll-free: 1-800-424-2856
Fax: (519) 824-6497 | Toll-free fax: 1-888-662-9479
[email protected]
Editor:
Jan Robinson
Assistant to the Editor:
Kim Huson
Publication mail
agreement number:
40583010
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 of providing comprehensive,
accurate and defensible information.
cvo.org