Advancing technology is rapidly changing the practice of veterinary medicine. While these advances offer opportunities to improve the delivery of animal health care, they can also present challenges to practitioners and animal owners/caregivers.
Veterinary telemedicine consultation refers to the practice of veterinary medicine which occurs at a distance using telecommunication technology. Veterinary telemedicine may take place between a consulting veterinarian and an attending veterinarian or between an attending veterinarian and animal caregivers/owner.
Last month, the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association (CVMA) released a position statement on the practice of veterinary telemedicine:
"When a consulting veterinarian is providing medical advice or expertise (telemedicine or in-person consultation) directly to an owner or custodian of the animal(s), the CVMA holds that, by definition, the consulting veterinarian is the 'attending veterinarian' responsible for the case and must be licences in the jurisdiction the animal is located and must have a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VEPR)."
Further, "the attending ... veterinarians involved in a telemedical consultation must ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of the VCPR is maintained and the telemedicine scope of practice is within the legal statutes set forth by the provincial veterinary regulatory authority where the attending veterinarian is licensed."
Calgary North Veterinary Hospital's Dr. Drew Van Niekerk, recognizes the need to clarify 'rules of practice' when it comes to veterinary telemedicine before changes can occur to by-laws and legal precedence is set. But maintains the most important point to remember is that it is the responsibility of the law makers to protect animals and clients from inappropriate behaviour by members of the veterinary profession and from individuals not fully qualified to perform veterinary medicine.
"Telemedicine brings with it a 'remoteness' to that responsibility," said Van Niekerk. "An animal is a changing being, and remote examination and therapy can lead to omissions in care and knowledge within today's context. The need for standards to protect against this is more important than the need to keep up with the speed of technological progress."
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