VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

DUTIES OF PRACTITIONERS IN CONSULTATION

• Consultation shall be encouraged: In case of serious illness / doubtful or difficult conditions, a veterinarian shall always request consultation; he/she shall also do so in the case of major surgical interventions, out break of herd diseases, poisoning, endemic or undiagnosible situations.
• Punctuality in consultations: Punctuality shall be observed by a veterinarian in attending a consultation. If a consultant veterinarian does not arrive within reasonable time, the consulting veterinarian shall be at liberty to see the patient; provided that he/she shall leave his/her conclusion in writing in a closed envelope. The same rule is applicable if the consulting veterinarian fails to turn up in time.
• Patient referred to another veterinarian
  • When a patient is referred to another veterinarian, a statement of the history, observation, clinical and laboratory examination as well as the tentative treatments undertaken shall be given.
  • On receipt of the above statement the veterinarian receiving the referred case shall communicate his/her opinion to the attending veterinarian and either shall continue the treatment as per his/her opinion or return the case along with his/her opinion communicated.
• Consultation for patient’s benefit: In every consultation, the benefit of the patient shall be of prime importance. It should not be done with an ulterior motive of evasion of responsibilities or on monetary considerations.
• Conduct of consultation
  • In consultation there shall be not place for insincerity, rivalry or envy. All due respect shall be shown to the veterinarian in charge of the case and no statement or remark shall be made which would impair the confidence reposed in him/her by the client. For this purpose no such discussion shall, therefore, be made before the client.
  • All statements to the client shall be made in the presence of consulting veterinarian, except as otherwise agreed. Announcement to the client also shall be made by the consulting veterinarian to the extent possible.
  • Difference of opinion shall not be divulged, unless both feel that it would be in the interest of the patient or dignity of the profession.
  • It shall be open to the client to take further advice and the consulting veterinarian with the consent of the client may consult yet another veterinarian, the rules of ethics remaining the same.
• Cessation of consultation: Attendance of consulting veterinarian shall cease when consultation is concluded; unless another appointment is arranged by the attending veterinarian.
• Treatment after consultation
  • No decision shall restrain the attending veterinarian from making such subsequent variation in the treatment as any unexpected change or development may demand; provided that at the next consultation, reasons for variations are stated.
  • The same privilege, with its obligations, belongs to the consultant when sent for in an emergency during the absence of attending veterinarian. The attending veterinarian may prescribe at any time; but the consultant only in case of emergency or instant need. All treatments by both shall be stated to each other.
• Consultant not to take charge of the case: When a consultant veterinarian is called upon to be consulted, none but the rarest and most exceptional circumstances shall justify the consultant taking charge of the case. He must not do so merely on solicitation of the client of his representative.
• Bar on consulting non-registered veterinary practitioners: No veterinarian shall have consultation with a veterinary practitioner who is not registered.