How does the ICVA incorporate ethics in its assessments?

Including multiple-choice questions on ethical dilemmas is an effective way for the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) to incorporate ethics into its assessments. This approach directly engages candidates with real-world scenarios they may face in veterinary practice, prompting them to think critically about the moral and ethical implications of their decisions.

Multiple-choice questions designed around ethical dilemmas help assess a candidate's understanding of professional standards, animal welfare, and the responsibilities of veterinary practitioners toward their clients, the animals, and society at large. This form of assessment can highlight the candidate’s ability to reason through complex situations, weigh options, and make informed, ethical decisions, showcasing how integral ethics are to veterinary practice.

In contrast, while technical skills assessments and evaluations of clinical case studies do demonstrate proficiency in veterinary practices, they do not specifically measure an understanding of ethical principles. Written research proposals could involve ethical considerations, but they mainly focus on the research process and methodology rather than assessing situational ethical judgment directly.