ISU, Priority Press launch veterinary law and ethics course

AMES, IOWA — A new 15-hour online Veterinary Law and Ethics course is set to make its debut in January.

In fact, the course was developed in collaboration between Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Priority Press and course author James F. Wilson, DVM, JD. Wilson is a nationally recognized expert in veterinary law, and teaches veterinary law, ethics, career development and practice management at 18 to 20 veterinary schools each year.

This course is described as providing an engaging, in-depth look at the legal and ethical subjects that apply to the veterinary profession, Wilson explains. It uses real world examples from practice to illuminate the seven sections in moral-ethical-legal decision making, animal law, ethical relations with colleagues, the legal use of veterinary drugs, the basics of contract law, medical recordkeeping (with laws from all state boards), and the law of professional negligence.

The course includes more than 300 pages of handouts, including many state laws pertinent to the veterinary profession in all 50 states as well as Wilson's Law and Ethics of the Veterinary Profession and Legal Consents for Veterinary Practices books.

The course, which is RACE approved, is presented in a unique, self-paced, streaming video online format. It has also been approved for CE by the Iowa and Maryland Boards of Veterinary Examiners and is currently up for review by boards in other states. The material will be available as a one-credit college course through ISU's veterinary college.

To reduce cost and time commitments, the course also is available in three separate multi-unit modules:

1. Moral-Ethical-Legal Decision Making and Animals and the Law—five hours—two tests optional;

2. Ethical Relations with Colleagues, the Legal Use of Drugs and Introduction to Contract Law and Its Veterinary Applications—four hours—three tests optional; and

3. Professional Negligence and Medical Records—six hours—two tests optional.

"This course material provides a unique opportunity for continuing education where, unlike live lectures, tests must be passed with a 70 percent score to receive certificates of completion. Many segments lend themselves well to viewing during staff meetings or rounds to provoke and guide discussions that all too often have been absent in day-to-day practice," Priority Press says.

For more information visit http://vetmed.iastate.edu/de/vle/splash. To enroll, contact Steve Kellner at skellner1@verizon.net, ( 215) 321-9488.