Ethics, Professional Resilience and the Law Flashcards
Define ethics
Branch of physiology considering question ‘what should i do’
What does ethics assume?
There is a right or wrong answer
Define an ethical dilema
Torn between multiple actions which equally appear right or wrong
What causes ethical dilemas?
Different values and opinions
What is the purpose of an ethical framework?
Maintain trust
Prevent stress or burn out
Make good ethical decisions
List the 3 main ethical frameworks
Utilitarianism
Deontology
Virtue theory
Describe the utilitarianism ethical theory
Weighing up cost and benefits of different actions and consequences
Usually thought of as lesser of 2 evils
What are some of the issues of the utilitarianism ethical thoery?
Many issues hard to compare or hard to agree on what the benefits and harms are
Describe the deontology ethical theory
Moral choice based on rules regardless of consequences, applied the same in all similar situations
Usually allows rooms for individuals rights
What are the problems with the deontology ethical theory?
Too rigid to be practical in some situations and may not cause the greatest good
Rules can conflict so need to make some judgements
What are some problems with the virtue ethical theory?
Hard to know what a good person is
Focus is put on the person being good so may not choose actually the best choice
Describe the virtue ethical theory
A good character comes before intelligence so a good person will do the right thing and make good ethical decision
Why are ethical frameworks useful?
Encourage reflection
Common framework allows discussion and justification of choices
Help choose best answer
What cant ethical frameworks do?
Give an exact answer of what to do
What are the steps of the ethical framework when answering ethical questions?
Define all available options
Identify stakeholders who could be affected by the choice
Apply an ethical theory
Identify advantages and disadvantages for each option and stakeholder
Consider the welfare of stakeholders
Minimise any negative impacts
What are the stakeholders that need to be considered in vets practices when making ethical choices?
Animal
Owner
Vet
What are the considerations that need to be made for animals when making ethical decisions?
Wellbeing- welfare
Autonomy- behavioural freedom
Fairness- respected as having intrinsic value not just instrumental value
What are the considerations that need to be made for the owner when making ethical choices?
Wellbeing- pleasure from animal, guilt, physical fitness
Autonomy- freedom to decide for own animal based on informed of all options
Fairness- having access to the same treatment all are
What are the considerations that need to be made for the vet when making ethical choices?
Wellbeing- profit, sense of doing harm or good
Autonomy- freedom to choose based on clinical judgement, all options available
Fairness- treated the same as all vets
Define professional resiliance
Being able to cope with obstacles appropriately
What are causes of poor mental health?
Gene expression
Environment- living, working and relationships
Experiences
What are the two different brains responsible for?
Rational- intellectual, knows what to do
Primal- emotional, dampens down rational brain
Define mental wellbeing
Physiological state at a point in time, constantly changes up and down
What percentages determines mental wellbeing?
40%- actions
10%- circumstances
50%- genetically determined
What are the benefits to good mental wellbeing?
Good self esteem Feeling and expressing range of emotions Good relationships Being engaged Live and work productively Cope with stress and change Optimal performance
What is meant by the wellbeing spectrum?
Range of emotions that you are at at any one time, from stress and anxiety to confidence
What are two approaches to wellbeing?
GREAT
DREAM
Describe the GREAT approach to wellbeing
Giving to others- life more meaningful
Relating to others- relationships give sense of belonging
Exercising, caring for body- feel better about self
Awareness- live in the moment and mindfully
Trying new things- learning, cause hope and excitement
Describe the DREAM approach to wellbeing
Direction- goals and focus Resilience- responding well to challenges Emotions- thinking positively Acceptance- comfortable with life Meaning- passions and purpose
Define registered veterinary nurse
Person whose name is entered in the list of veterinary nurses maintained by the RCVS
What needs to be considered when vets delegate to nurses?
Nature of procedure
Animal concerned
Qualifications of person being delegated to
What does schedule 3 of the veterinary surgeons act state about performing procedures?
Only RVNs and SVNs have the privilege to perform certain procedures as delegated by veterinary surgeon employed in the same practice
Explain the term direction in regards to schedule 3
Vet surgeon instructs person as to the activity but isn’t necessarily present
Explain supervision in terms of schedule 3
Vet surgeon is present on premises and able to assist as required
What is meant by direct and continuous supervision in terms of schedule 3?
Vet surgeon is present and giving RVN supervision
Define medical treatment
Carried out as a consequence of diagnosis requiring intervention
Define SVN
Person enrolled under by-laws made by RCVS council for the purpose of undergoing training as a VN at an approved training and assessment centre or veterinary practice approved by such centre
What is the requirement to be classed as an SVN?
Actively training
Enrolled with RCVS
Enrolled with centre or university
Enrolled in training practice
What roles can and cant unqualified staff do?
Can be delegated procedures when reasonable, doesnt cause risk and owner would be able to do the procedure
Cant call them self vet nurse or carry out any treatments
What roles can vet nurses carry out provided the vet has delegated them?
Vaccinate after a vets clinical exam
Induce anaesthesia under supervision, maintenance is vets responsibility but vet nurse acts as hands
Dental hygiene, only extraction when can be pulled out by hand
Minor surgery when doesn’t enter body cavity, not castrations
What are the 5 underpinning values of the RCVS code of conduct?
Professional competence Honesty and integrity Independence and impartiality Client confidentiality Trust and professional accountability
What are VNs responsibilities to animals?
Health and welfare first Keep within competence Provide appropriate and adequate care Responsible use of medication Maintain clinical governence
Define clinical governance
Consideration of animal safety, client experience and effective care
What are VNs responsibilities to clients?
Open and honest Impartial Provide appropriate information Keep clear records Confidentiality Respond to complaints
What are VNs responsibilities to the profession?
Address health and performance that could effect fitness to practice
Dont hold out expertise you dont have
What are the responsibilities of VNs to the veterinary team?
Work together to coordinate animal care
Delegate tasks to those with competence and registration
Complying with code and law
Maintain standards
What are the responsibilities of VNs to RCVS?
Be registered
Comply with documentation and requests as part of regulation
Report VNs removed from register who keep undergoing schedule 3 tasks
What are VNs responsibilities to public?
Public health Animal health, welfare and environment Report facts honestly with care Advertise professionally Comply with legislation
What are types of complaints given?
Criminal convictions Consent Communication Treatment Clinical record keeping
What is the complaints procedure?
Complaint received- 10% not progresses Assessment- 30% cases closed Case examination- 40% cases closed Preliminary investigation- 18% cases closed Disciplinary committee
Define professionalism
Having competence or skill expected of a profession
What are the 5 welfare needs of animals?
Suitable environment Suitable diet Able to exhibit normal behaviour House with or without other animals Protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Explain the animal welfare act 2006
People must take steps to care for animals and provide 5 welfare needs
Allows inspectors and enforcers to advise and educate to prevent suffering, but can take further action by warning or prosecution
What are the key points of the control of dogs order 1992?
Dog must wear collar and tag in public
Tag must have owners name and address and phone number advised
If doesn’t have a tag may be seized and treated as a stray
When did the law to have your dog microchipped come in?
2016
What is the purpose of the dangerous dogs act 1991?
Regulate and prohibit ownership of certain breeds and dog types that are more likely to cause injury and death
It is illegal to sell, own, abandon, give away or breed these dogs without exemption
What are the dogs under control of the dangerous dogs act?
Pitbull terrier
Japanese tosa
Dogo argentino
Fila brasiliero
What are the requirements of exempt dogs under the dangerous dogs act?
Neutured Tattooed with ID number Insured Microchipped Kept secrure Registered on the index Kept under contol
What makes a dog classed as a dangerous dog?
Cause injury or believe they could cause injury
What does the highway code rule 58 state about travelling with dogs in cars?
Make sure dogs are suitably restrained so wont distract you or injure you or themselves if you stop quickly
What is the consequence of not following rule 58 of the highway code?
Could be charged with dangerous driving
