RCVS Academy launches client confidentiality course
“The course should help learners to feel confident about what to consider in order to make justified and well-supported decisions” – Victoria Price.
The digital learning platform RCVS Academy has launched a new course for veterinary teams on client confidentiality.
The course offers guidance for situations when it might be necessary to disclose confidential information without the consent of a client. This can include times when there is a public interest or legal reason to share information, or concerns about animal health and welfare.
With the help of three interactive scenarios, learners will look at the steps to take when deciding whether to make a disclosure and how to remain compliant with professional obligations.
The RCVS Standards and Advice team has helped to design the course, which includes support on how to apply the guidance from the RCVS’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Victoria Price, RCVS senior standards and advice officer, said: “I’m delighted that we can offer this course to help veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses exercise their professional judgement in relation to disclosing confidential client information.
“Deciding to breach confidentiality is often a difficult decision with no right or wrong answer. The course should help learners to feel confident about what to consider in order to make justified and well-supported decisions.”
The course, which takes around one hour to complete, can be accessed via the RCVS Academy website.
Image © Shutterstock
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
