Exploring the Gray Zone: Case Discussions of Ethical Dilemmas for the Veterinary Technician

by Andrea DeSantis Kerr (Editor), Robert "Pete" Bill (Editor), Christina V. Tran (Editor)

Overview

Veterinary technicians face difficult situations on a daily basis. They dedicate their lives to aiding in the treatment of animals and relieving suffering, serving as each patient’s main advocate and caretaker. The veterinary technician holds a unique role in patient care. Acting as the intermediary between the veterinarian prescribing treatment and the patient, they play a large part in the communication and education of clients. Veterinary technicians have greatly expanded their roles and find themselves not only an integral part of veterinary practice, but in research institutions, animal shelters, and universities as well.

This text explores difficult situations veterinary technicians face on a daily basis through the use of case examples and dialogue. Each case scenario describes a real-life situation for a veterinary technician, poses thought-provoking questions, and provides commentary that focuses on the legal aspect of the scenario, the social or personal ethics of the parties involved, and/or the welfare of the animal (s). The case scenarios encompass clinical situations in a practice setting as well as situations involving business ethics and interpersonal relationships between colleagues.The case format of the book lends itself to discussion and can be utilized in veterinary technology courses that focus on ethics, communications, management, and leadership. The real-life case examples make the book an enjoyable read for practicing veterinary technicians as well. There currently are over two hundred veterinary technology programs and thousands of practicing veterinary technicians within the United States and Canada.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557537478
Publisher:	Purdue University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2016
Series:	New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Andrea DeSantis Kerr is affiliated with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. She holds a continuing lecturer position in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and has twelve years of educational experience.

Robert "Pete" Bill is affiliated with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a professor of veterinary pharmacology and assistant dean for Academic Affairs, Teaching, and Learning. He is the former director of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program and has over twenty-five years of veterinary technology experience.

Jamie Schoenbeck Walsh is retired and served as an instructor of veterinary technology and head advisor for the Purdue Veterinary Technology program. In addition to holding her RVT degree, She is a registered nurse and has a combined twenty-six years of experience.

Christina V. Tran is the director of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program and previously worked as a faculty member in the Portland Community College Veterinary Technology Department. She has fifteen years of veterinary experience.

Table of Contents

Preface Robert "Pete" Bill, DVM, PhD xiii

Introduction Andrea DeSantis Kerr, DVM 1

Case Scenarios: Suggested Approach To Using These Cases Robert "Pete" Bill, DVM, PhD 13

Case 1 How Much Help is Too Much Help? 15

Case 2 Sharing the Hidden Truth 19

Case 3 Convenience Euthanasia 23

Case 4 Social Media: Not as Private as You Think 29

Case 5 Between a Rock and a Hard Place 35

Case 6 Employee Leaving: What to Tell the Clients? 39

Case 7 What About the Lambs? 45

Case 8 She Said What? Gossip in the Workplace 51

Case 9 Hospital Volunteer 57

Case 10 Contagious Disease and Confidentiality 63

Case 11 When Roles of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians Blur 67

Case 12 Standard of Care? 73

Case 13 What's In an Answer? 79

Case 14 Popular Party Guy or Ethical Concern? 83

Case 15 Is it Discrimination? 89

Case 16 Well-Intentioned Friend? 95

Case 17 Forbid or Forget? 99

Case 18 Suspicious Client? 103

Case 19 Hiring in a Close Community 109

Case 20 Ringworm Kitten at the Babysitters 113

Case 21 Who Makes the Call? 119

Case 22 How Rough Is Too Rough? 125

Case 23 On Call Dilemma 133

Case 24 A Business on the Side 139

Case 25 Compliment? Or Reason for Concern? 143

Case 26 The Helpful Neighbor or the Meddling Neighbor 147

Case 27 Cyberbullying 151

Epilogue 163

Contributors 165

Index 167

Editorial Reviews

"Exploring the Gray Zone: Case Discussions of Ethical Dilemmas for the Veterinary Technician examines many everyday experiences that veteri- nary technicians may face in a thought-provoking way, and provides some foundational background in veterinary ethics to help professionals realize their own personal ethical beliefs regarding the situations. This book could be used as a textbook for a veterinary technology course or unit related to ethics, by veterinary technicians in the field trying to better understand their own ethical beliefs to potential ethical dilemmas, or by a veterinary management team for a discussion of their ethical beliefs and development of practice policies. The format of case studies lends itself to be used in dif- ferent ways: cover-to-cover or pick-and-choose cases that are applicable to a specific topic. There are also many resources listed throughout the book to give the reader direction if more information or perspective is needed. As a twenty-year veteran in the field of veterinary technology, I believe that early professionals in the field will greatly benefit from the ideas discussed in this book, which will prepare them to skillfully navigate ethical dilemmas that they will encounter throughout their career." —Susan Pedigo, MS, RVT, LATG, Practice Manager, North Madison Veterinary Clinic, Madison, Indiana

"An incredible tool for any veterinary technician program. The case-based scenarios are real-life examples that technicians will face during their career. It has very thought-provoking questions that not only focus on the legal aspect, but also the ethical aspect as well as animal welfare. As a veterinary technician educator, this is a must-have book in our curriculum." —Kristin R. Husband, BS, RVT, Program RVT, Interim Director, Vet Tech Institute, International Business College, Indianapolis, Indiana

"A great resource for teaching veterinary technician students, using real life scenarios, ways to successfully navigate the difficult ethical decisions that they will have to make throughout their career." —Jacqnene A. Howard, MBA, LVT

From the Publisher