The coalition’s founding members include more than 30 veterinary associations and industry companies.
A group of leading industry and professional organizations has formed the Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care with the goal of seeking to improve and expand patient care through the broader use of telehealth in veterinary medicine. Announced at the 2022 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the coalition will collaborate across the animal health and veterinary industry to improve and expand veterinary care by leveraging technology, while protecting the health and welfare of animals and the people who care for them. take care of them, according to a news release from the organization.
“The proper use of telehealth has great potential to improve access to veterinary services, improve the healthcare we provide to our patients, strengthen and support our relationships with our clients, and improve the efficiency of our veterinary healthcare teams and the services we provide”. José Arce, DVM, president of the AVMA, said in the statement.
The use of telehealth, including telemedicine, increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but adoption has slowed in both human and veterinary health care as in-person visits have resumed, and many veterinary offices are not taking advantage of it. the most available tools, according to Arce. . He stressed that before using telehealth, a personal veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) must be established.
Scott Bormann, senior vice president of Merck Animal Health, a founding member of the coalition, noted that in-person exams and customer relationships lead to healthier animals, a more efficient staff and support for continuity of patient care, when are combined with telehealth services. “The tools, technology and resources that are provided to veterinarians through telehealth support, and promote ongoing and regular patient care, help reduce some of the mental stress placed on veterinarians due to the increased demand for services and the time it takes for a patient to receive veterinary advice and care,” Bormann said, in the statement.
“Veterinary telemedicine is most effective and safest (for patients, clients, and veterinarians/veterinary practices) when used to maintain a VCPR that has already been established through an in-person examination,” said Link Welborn, DVM, DABVP, CEO. of the Veterinary Study Groups, another founding member of the coalition, in the statement. “We will look to coalition members to help develop and share resources that will help veterinarians seamlessly integrate telehealth into their practices while recognizing the importance of VCPR.”
The Coalition’s goals and next steps include the following:
- Raise awareness of the opportunities telehealth presents to improve patient care.
- Help veterinarians explore and adopt telehealth tools that
- Strengthen relationships between practices, clients and patients.
- Improve continuity in patient care
- Fully engage technology to advance care
- Improve practice efficiency and support the well-being of veterinary teams.
- Build and provide practical education and tools for veterinarians and their teams across the profession to help them integrate a variety of telehealth services in ways that work for their practice.
- Advocate for regulatory actions that support the use of telehealth while respecting the integrity of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and ensuring the safety of veterinary patients and their owners’ confidence in the quality of veterinary care provided.
In addition to the AVMA, Veterinary Study Groups, and Merck Animal Health, other founding members of the coalition include veterinary associations and industry companies, as follows:
- Alaska Veterinary Medical Association
- American Association of Avian Pathologists
- American Association of Bovine Physicians
- American Association of Equine Practitioners
- American Association of Swine Veterinarians
- American Heartworm Society
- AmerisourceBergen/MWI
- Institute of Animal Health
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Covetrus
- Elanco
- Florida Veterinary Medical Association
- Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of Independent Veterinarians
- Iowa Veterinary Medical Association
- Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
- Midwest Vet Supply
- Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
- Missouri Veterinary Medical Association
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America
- National Veterinary Associates
- Nevada Veterinary Medical Association
- North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
- North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association
- Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association
- South Carolina Veterinary Association
- Televet
- Texas Veterinary Medical Association
- Vermont Veterinary Medical Association
- Virginia Veterinary Medical Association
- Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
To learn more about the Coalition, its growing membership, and the resources available to veterinary professionals, visit avma.org/connectedcare.
Reference
Veterinary groups launch new coalition to promote telehealth for patient care. Press release. AVMA. July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.