Individual Assignment

BLOCK 8
Veterinary Ethics, Morality, and Professional Behavior
LEARNING UNIT 1
Profession and Medical Ethics of A Veterinarian

Name : Bernadete Miraclelita Widyarini

NIM : 10/300653/KH/6678/W
Group : 5

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Gadjah Mada University
2011/2012

Learning objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is the veterinary symbol and meaning?

What are the Hippocrates oath and the veterinarian oath?
What are the territorial organization and non-territorial organization?
What are the veterinary code of ethics?

Answers
1. There are several symbols of veterinary available.

This one above is the symbol that PDHI uses. The V word stands for Veterinarius.
The snake together with the rod comes from the Asclepius.
Asclepius derived his name from healing soothingly and from deferring the
withering that comes with death. For this reason, therefore, they give him a serpent
as an attribute, indicating that those who avail themselves of medical science
undergo a process similar to the serpent in that they, as it were, grow young again
after illnesses and slough off old age; also because the serpent is a sign of attention,
much of which is required in medical treatments. The staff also seems to be a symbol
of some similar thing. For by means of this it is set before our minds that unless we
are supported by such inventions as these, in so far as falling continually into
sickness is concerned, stumbling along we would fall even sooner than necessary.
Asclepius: A Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies, Baltimore, 1945.

Caduceus, wing-topped staff, with two snakes winding about it, carried by
Hermes, given to him (according to one legend) by Apollo. The symbol of two
intertwined snakes appeared early in Babylonia and is related to other serpent symbols of
fertility, wisdom, and healing, and of sun gods. This staff of Hermes was carried by
Greek heralds and ambassadors and became a Roman symbol for truce, neutrality, and
noncombatant status. By regulation, it has since 1902 been the insignia of the medical
branch of the U.S. army. The caduceus is much used as a symbol of commerce, postal
service, and ambassadorial positions and since the 16th century. It has largely replaced
the one-snake symbol of Asclepius as a symbol of medicine.

The other veterinary symbol is the Centaur (horse-bodied man). Centaur appears on
the cap badge of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and also appeared on a similar badge
worn by the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps.
Centaurs were notorious for being wild and lusty, overly indulgent drinkers and
carousers, given to violence when intoxicated, and generally uncultured delinquents.
Chiron, by contrast, was intelligent, civilized and kind, but he was not related directly to
the other centaurs. He was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine.
2. The Hippocrates oath
I swear by Apollo the healer, by Aesculapius, by Health and all the powers of
healing, and call to witness all the gods and goddesses that I may keep this Oath and
Promise to the best of my ability and judgement.
I will pay the same respect to my master in the Science as to my parents and share
my life with him and pay all my debts to him. I will regard his sons as my brothers and
teach them the Science, if they desire to learn it, without fee or contract. I will hand on
precepts, lectures and all other learning to my sons, to those of my master and to those
pupils duly apprenticed and sworn, and to none other.
I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgement; I will
abstain from harming or wronging any man by it.
I will not give a fatal draught to anyone if I am asked, nor will I suggest any such
thing. Neither will I give a woman means to procure an abortion.
I will be chaste and religious in my life and in my practice.
I will not cut, even for the stone, but I will leave such procedures to the practitioners
of that craft.
Whenever I go into a house, I will go to help the sick and never with the intention of
doing harm or injury. I will not abuse my position to indulge in sexual contacts with the
bodies of women or of men, whether they be freemen or slaves.
Whatever I see or hear, professionally or privately, which ought not to be divulged, I
will keep secret and tell no one.
If, therefore, I observe this Oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life
and in my profession, earning good repute among all men for my time. If I transgress and
forswear this oath, may my lot be otherwise.
The Veterinarian Oath (according to AVMA)
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my
scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal
health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of
animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical
knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the
principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional
knowledge and competence.

Sumpah Dokter Hewan Indonesia

Akan mengabdikan diri saya, ilmu pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang saya miliki
kepada perbaikan mutu, peringanan penderitaan serta perlindungan hewan demi
kesejahteraanmasyarakat.
Akan menggunakan ilmu pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang saya miliki
berlandasan perikemanusiaan dan kasih sayang kepada hewan.
Akan memberikan pertimbangan utama untuk kesembuhan, kesehatan dan
kesejahteraan pasien saya, kepentingan tertinggi klien dengan mempertaruhkan
kehormatan profesi dan diri saya.
Akan selalu menjunjung tinggi kehormatan dan tradisi luhur profesi Kedokteran
Hewan dengan memegang teguh Kode Etik Profesi saya.

3. Territorial Organization
Organization based on a specific area or territory.
Example:
PDHI (Perhimpunan Dokter Hewan Indonesia)
AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
BVA (British Veterinary Association)
JVMA (Japan Veterinary Medical Association)
CVMA (California Veterinary Medical Association)
LVMA (Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association)
MDVMA (Maryland Veterinary Medical Association)
Non-Territorial Organization
Organization not based on territory, could be based on the activity, the concern, or the
interest.
Example:
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Society for Tropical Veterinary Medicine
World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Veterinary Cancer Society
American Association of Veterinary Anatomists
American Association of Veterinary Immunologists.
4. The basic medical ethics:
Beneficence - a practitioner should act in the best interest of the patient. (Salus
aegroti suprema lex.)
Non-maleficence - "first, do no harm" (primum non nocere).
Autonomy - the patient has the right to refuse or choose their treatment. (Voluntas
aegroti suprema lex.)
Justice - concerns the distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who
gets what treatment (fairness and equality).
Dignity - the patient (and the person treating the patient) have the right to dignity.

Truthfulness and honesty (the concept of informed consent)

Types of veterinary ethics:

Descriptive veterinary ethics
The regular and common professional behavior which is seen and judged by the
community
Official veterinary ethics
Made by a legalized and formal deal between the members of an organization.
Administrative veterinary ethics
Established and regulated by the government, which is powered by law.
Normative veterinary ethics
Ethics related to the animal welfare.
Isi Kode Etik Veteriner Indonesia
Mukadimah
Sumpah Dokter Hewan Indonesia
Bab I Kewajiban Umum, pasal 1-7
Bab II Kewajiban terhadap Profesi, ps 8-14
Bab III Kewajiban terhadap pasien, ps 15-18
Bab IV Kewajiban terhadap klien, ps 19-22
Bab V kewajiban terhadap Sejawat drh, 23-26
Bab VI Kewajiban terhadap diri sendiri, 27-28
BabVII Penutup, pasal 29.
Mekanisme penanganan terhadap penyimpangan Kode Etik Dokter Hewan Indonesia

References

http://www.vspn.org/library/wwwdirectory/Organizations.htm
http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/ethics.asp
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12503560