Vetnuus | August 2024 39 5. Unprofessional conduct In certain circumstances providing free veterinary services can lead to unprofessional conduct. This depends on the intention and motivation behind the free service, and how it is provided. If free veterinary services are provided to gain publicity, eliminate competition, promote the sale of medicines and products, or create dependency it raises ethical and legal questions. Veterinarians providing free services are more likely to make themselves guilty of supersession, especially where the free service is intended to eliminate the competition. It also has an inherently higher risk of failure to act in the best interest of the patient, client, and public. Where the sale of products or medicines is linked to the free service, there will likely be overservicing. The most appropriate treatments may not be given because specific products and medications are pushed. It can potentially lead to the overuse of antibiotics and hormonal treatment use, which have public health implications. 6. Liability Veterinarians providing free services may fall into the trap of thinking that they do not have any professional liability if they provide free services. They may therefore neglect to obtain the necessary professional indemnity insurance. Or worse, they may be less concerned about their accountability and provide substandard services. 7. Discrimination Where free services are selectively provided to persons based on socioeconomic status, race, or gender it may be unethical and even unconstitutional if it is not justifiable. It is potentially unconstitutional if free services are offered to individuals who can afford the service but not to people who cannot afford it. An example of this would be free veterinary service to a commercial dairy farmer with the understanding that the farmer will purchase all the medicines from the practice but free services are not provided to small-scale farmers in the same community. Conclusion Proving free veterinary services in the appropriate circumstances is commendable. Abuse of this noble principle is unacceptable. At a time when veterinarians are fighting for the survival of the profession, it is inconceivable that such practices should be tolerated. There are numerous reasons, as set out above, why this should not be allowed. Perhaps the most important reason is that we as veterinarians cannot allow the years of blood, sweat, and tears that went into obtaining a veterinary degree to be regarded as something of such little value that we should give it away for free. If you have any questions, you can contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za v Legal Mews
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