CONTENT
Duties of Veterinarians to Clients and Patients: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities
Veterinarians have professional and ethical responsibilities toward both their patients and clients. These duties extend beyond diagnosis and treatment to include appropriate patient care, professional conduct, prevention of negligence, communication with clients, and responsible management of veterinary services.
This article outlines the key duties of veterinarians to their clients and patients, including obligations to patients, standards of care, termination of service, professional visits, and prognosis.
Obligation to the Patient
Though a veterinarian is not bound to treat every case presented to him/her, except in emergencies, he/she shall, for the sake of humanity and the noble tradition of the profession, not only be ever ready to respond to the needs of sick and injured animals, but shall also be mindful of the high character of his/her mission and the responsibility he/she incurs in the discharge of his/her professional duties.
Patient Not to Be Neglected
A veterinarian is free to choose whom he/she will serve, provided that he/she shall respond to any request for his/her assistance in an emergency or whenever reasonable public opinion expects such service. Once having undertaken a case, a veterinarian shall not neglect the patient nor shall he/she withdraw from the case without giving notice to the client sufficiently in advance to allow the client to secure another veterinarian.
Termination of Service
- A veterinarian shall withdraw his/her service for the following valid reasons:
- Where he/she finds another veterinarian in attendance.
- Where remedies or advice other than those prescribed by him/her are being used.
- Where his/her remedies, advice, or instructions are refused.
- Where he/she feels that the illness or the need for his/her service is an imposture and that he/she is being made a party to a false pretense.
- Where a client is resorting to the use of intoxicating drugs, quackery, or witchcraft against medical advice; and
- Where the client does not supply complete information or history concerning the facts and circumstances of the case.
- The discovery that the malady is incurable or that the client’s problems are unsolvable is no excuse to discontinue attendance by a veterinarian as long as the client desires the service.
Act of Negligence
- No veterinarian shall willfully commit an act of negligence that may deprive a patient of the care that is absolutely necessary.
- A veterinarian is expected to show such diligence and skill in service as would be expected of another veterinarian with similar qualifications, experience, and attainments.
- His/her acts of commission or omission shall not be judged by any non-veterinary standards, but by those expected of a veterinarian with his/her training, standing, and experience.
- A veterinarian shall use any drug prepared under standard pharmacological principles and shall adopt all necessary preparations and precautions, such as sterilization and verification of doses, as are normally prescribed for that drug.
Behavior Toward Patients
The demeanor of a veterinarian toward his/her patient shall always be kind, tender, and full of patience. Every patient shall be treated with attention, consideration, and concentration.
Visit
Notwithstanding the fact that a veterinarian is not bound to visit his/her patient or client, he/she shall make the visit at the indicated time once he/she has committed to do so.
Prognosis
- A veterinarian shall neither exaggerate nor minimize the gravity of a patient’s condition. He/she shall ensure that the legal owner of the patient has sufficient knowledge of the patient’s condition to serve the best interests of the patient and its owner (client).
- In cases of dangerous manifestations or when grave and highly communicable diseases are encountered, he/she shall not fail to inform the client and those to whom the disease may pose a significant danger.
