Profesionalism revisited

Question 1

Define social contract

Answer 1

Balance between self-regulation/autonomy/monopoly/specialist knowledge which is maintained by altruism/empathy/honesty/integrity

Question 2

RCVS 5 principles of practice

Answer 2

• Professional competence
• Honesty and integrity
• Independence and impartiality
• Client confidentiality and trust
• Professional accountability

Question 3

Define self-regulation 2

Answer 3

• Vets set our own codes of practice

- We are judged by our peers (not courts of law or police)

Question 4

Advantages - self-regulation - 2

Answer 4

• we are judged by peers in event of a complaint
• the code of conduct and any interpretation/amendments to the Veterinary Surgeon’s Act are written by veterinary surgeons

Question 5

Distinguish RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and the Veterinary Surgeons Act

Answer 5

Veterinary Surgeons Act = legislation. RCVS Code of conduct= how to interpret this act. Neither tell you exactly how to act.

Question 6

Define autonomy

Answer 6

Another professional privilege. Historically was that professionals act in a paternalistic way. Nowadays this notion is replaced partly by concepts of patient-centred care and shared decision-making. We could argue that the vet is nor less autonomous and more collaborative. In veterinary you must consider the patient, client, veterinary business, profession, colleagues, yourself and society.

It means we can act in the way we think is best as long as we remain within the law (Vet surgeons Act)) and the RCVS code of conduct. Remember the privilidges of autonomy, monopoly and self-regulation depend on us acting in a way that is characterised by honesty, integrity and altruism. Implicit in this is adhering to client and patient autonomy.

Overall in contemporary practice, autonomy is characterised by shared decision-making, teamwork, collaborative decision making and (sometimes) institutional and profession-wide policy. To increase patient safety.

Question 7

Discuss features of monopoly and specialist trainign

Answer 7

To be a vet needs a lot of training, only vets can wor as vets, although we have a lot of knowledge we must maintain this via CPD and not work outside our competence

Question 8

What conflicts do you anticipate?

Answer 8

Approaches to practice you disagree with, client can’t pay, ethical decision making, nurse telling you they do things differently in this practice, OOH care, pet insurance. By embracing new ideas you are still being altruistic and offer ultimately a higher level of care.

Question 9

What is encompassed by the professional star?

Answer 9

Animal welfare, self, compassion, RCVS, business, colleagues, client, honesty, communication, ethics.

Question 10

How can you spay a bitch? (2) Distinguish these.

Answer 10

Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) and Ovariectomy.

OHE=more traditional, may decrease risk of pyometra, there is a risk of accidentally ligating the ureters
OVARIECTOMY=removal of ovaries, decreased risk of damaging uterus, EBVM suggests leaving/removing uterus affects pyometra risk, no chance of ligating the ureters, more scientifically sound, becoming increasingly used.