CONFLICT OF INTEREST
PROFESSIONALISM
PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN PRACTICE
College Council’s current strategic framework includes: Promote
professionalism and profession-based regulation in the practice of
veterinary medicine. Ensuring veterinarians have a clear understanding of
their responsibilities and expectations regarding independence in decisionmaking
and avoiding conflicts of interest also aligns with the College’s
mission statement of “governing the practice of veterinary medicine,” and
the College’s vision “instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation.”
Introduction
The public expects veterinarians will use
their knowledge, skills and judgment in
the best interest of any animal that is
entrusted to their care. A veterinarian’s
choice of treatment for an animal(s)
should be based on their objective
professional judgment and should not be
influenced by considerations of personal
gain (individually or organizationally).
Personal interests that can influence a
veterinarian’s judgment may not always
be readily apparent to the veterinarian.
At other times, a veterinarian may be
aware that their decision-making is
being influenced by personal or financial
interests but does not understand the
existing or potential harm.
What is Conflict of Interest?
Conflict of interest is generally
understood to be where the private
interests, usually financial, of a person
conflict with that person’s professional
responsibilities. For example, the
veterinarian has a personal or business
interest that could influence their
judgment when performing their
professional duties.
When a veterinarian allows an external
influence (e.g., a financial incentive
(direct or indirect), business or personal
relationship, etc.) to interfere with their
professional autonomy they are in a
conflict of interest. It is important that
members of the profession have a clear
understanding of what situations are or
may reasonably be perceived as a conflict
of interest. It is also essential that a
veterinarian consciously understands the
existence of improper influence, is able
to identify those situations that might
create it and seeks methods to mitigate
or reduce such interests.
What are the Risks?
A veterinarian’s choice of treatment
for an animal(s) should be based on
their objective professional judgment
and should not be influenced by
considerations of personal interest or
gain, including commercial influence.
Making treatment decisions on the basis
of personal interest or financial influence,
beyond a reasonably set fee for service,
may serve to undermine the public’s
trust in the profession. A veterinarian
whose judgment is influenced by external
benefits may result in a treatment choice
that could adversely affect the animal’s
health and welfare or not provide optimal
care. Permitting or promoting this
influence is a conflict of interest and is an
act of professional misconduct.
Legislation:
Section 17 of Ontario Regulation
1093 states it is an act of professional
misconduct for a veterinarian to have a
conflict of interest. Sections 42, 43, and
44 of Ontario Regulation 1093 further
establish what can constitute a conflict
of interest, as well as exceptions. These
sections include receiving remuneration
based on fees charged (kickback),
receiving benefits for client referrals
(kickback), when it is or is not appropriate
to perform veterinary services for
clients other than the employer when
a veterinarian is employed by someone
who is not a veterinarian, and examining
an animal on behalf of both the buyer
and the seller.
Conclusion
The College reminds licensed
veterinarians to maintain awareness
of conflict of interest as it pertains to
their practice and of the importance
of identifying, managing, and avoiding
conflict of interest.
––
Public interest is grounded in the
provision of safe, competent, and
informed veterinary care, which
includes the expectation that a
veterinarian will provide treatment
options based on objective
information and scientific evidence in
the interests of the animal.
––
Public confidence in veterinary
practice is dependent on a
veterinarian avoiding or declaring a
conflict of interest that may interfere
with their independent decisionmaking
about the healthcare of an
animal(s).
––
The public is protected when a
veterinarian is transparent about
potential bias, and appropriately
informs a client about all options
available for treating their animal(s).
The College Council introduced policy
related to personal conflict of interest at
its June meeting to assist veterinarians
with understanding their obligations
and to be clear about the expectations.
The draft policy will be circulated for
consultation later this year.
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College Connection Summer 2020 cvo.org