Week 15: Veterinary Advocacies, Clinical Pharmacology, and Thanksgiving!
This week consisted of only two days of instruction before we had a quick break for Thanksgiving! Monday started off with a discussion and problem set focused on physiochemical properties, absorption, and distribution followed by two lectures on drug metabolism and excretion. We then had an afternoon lecture on proteins and amino acids followed by an ethics discussion on veterinary advocacies.
Dr. Kipperman began his ethics session by presenting a short lecture that highlighted the differences in the veterinary oath based on country (US vs UK) as well as the principles of veterinary medicine ethics. The Veterinary Oath that we take in the US involves a few key components; benefit to society, protection of animal health and welfare, promotion of public health, and advancement of medical knowledge. On the other hand, the UK oath still addresses a veterinarian’s responsibility to the public, client, and profession but emphasizes that “…ABOVE ALL, my constant endeavor will be to ensure the health and welfare of animals committed to my care” (RCVS Code of Professional Conduct).
There is a clear distinction that a veterinarian should prioritize the patient above all else whereas the US oath splits the priorities equally without emphasizing one over the other. This leads to the question of whether veterinarians should give primary consideration to the animal or to the client. To emphasize this dilemma, he conducted a survey with 284 vet students from four different schools and found that when asked whose interests should be prioritized by the vet profession, 92% said the animal should be given priority. He then asked who they believe is given priority by veterinarians (that students have observed) and 84% said the client.
This shows the internal debate that occurs while vets are treating their patients because unfortunately, if the owners are not on board with the plan, the animal will not receive the care that it needs.
While veterinarians are typically seen as animal advocates, their income is dependent on the owner. This creates a disconnect between the care that can be provided or the amount of help that the animal can receive. Animals are also legally considered property and are at the mercy of their owners which inherently makes veterinary medicine more client-oriented than patient-oriented. While *in private practice* there isn’t a way to take the owner out of the equation and make the experience completely centered around the patient, veterinarians can still make sure that they are practicing in a way that promotes the best outcome for their patient while providing the owner with the resources that they need to feel satisfied and willing to give their animal the care it needs.
This discussion posed some interesting concepts and made me think about how I will practice veterinary medicine in the future.
Tuesday started off with another pharmacology discussion focused on drug elimination and excretion followed by a lecture on clinical pharmacology and one on carbohydrates. I then hopped in my car and made my way down to San Luis Obispo while listening to the final two lectures on fat-soluble vitamins and trace minerals.
While in SLO I got to spend some time with Jenn, one of my amazing mentors and friends as well as get a swim workout in with the team I used to coach. It is so much fun spending time with these incredible people and I am so fortunate to have them in my life! After the swim workout I hopped back in the car and made my way home to San Diego. That evening we celebrated my grandma’s 80th birthday with the whole family! It was amazing that everyone was able to make it and so much fun to hang out and celebrate such a special milestone together!
Thanksgiving Day started off with an awesome bike ride with my parents and that afternoon we headed over to my aunt and uncle’s house to celebrate with some of our other family and friends!
I was initially unsure if I would be able to come home for Thanksgiving break this year because of school, so being able to be home and spend quality time with everyone was a huge blessing!
Friday began with another swim workout and then I was able to get some studying done before running some errands with my mom. That night we had a nice family dinner and watched the movie, “Where Hope Grows.” Saturday started off with a run with my dad followed by a family beach walk and breakfast on the coast. The rest of the day was spent studying and packing up.
Sunday was spent driving up to Davis and prepping for the last few weeks of the semester!
Quote of the week: "Manganese...often overlooked, still important. That'll be the subtitle of my memoir." -Dr. Larsen
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