Veterinary Ethics for Practitioners

Ethical dilemmas in clinical practice are unavoidable, and can be stressful for the entire veterinary team.  Questions such as ‘Just because we can, should we?’; ‘When is enough enough?’; ‘When is euthanasia ethically justified?’ and ‘How should veterinarians react when their own ethical views are not aligned with those of their client?’, pervade modern veterinary care.  This case-based half-day online course provides an opportunity for veterinarians to discuss and reflect upon the wide variety of ethical issues which can occur, and to enhance their skills in dealing with them. 

Topics to be covered 

Topics to be covered

• Introduction to applied veterinary ethics: Theory and function
• Ethics in practice: case-based discussions and feedback (small animal; equine; farm animal; ‘exotics’)
• Research ethics: what you need to know about undertaking clinical research in practice
• The intersection of morals, legislation and regulation: professional ethics for the ‘Vet Led Team’

A combination of lectures and facilitated small group discussions will elucidate key themes around personal and professional morals, conflicting duties of care, decision-making in challenging ethical situations and ethical aspects of undertaking clinical research in practice.

This is an applied, case-based course. It covers ethics relating to clinical cases, to research in practice, and to professional issues confronting the veterinary led team.  It is suitable for all veterinarians working in all types of practice, at any level or seniority.