College Connection Fall 2020 October 2020

COUNCIL EXTENDS TEMPORARY CHANGES TO TELEMEDICINE POLICY

college

CONNECTION

COUNCIL EXTENDS TEMPORARY CHANGES TO TELEMEDICINE POLICY

Fall 2020 / Vol . 36 No . 3 ISSN 2370-5965
FEATURED Council Highlights
Changes to Public Appointees : At the September meeting , Council welcomed Catherine Knipe following appointment to Council by the provincial government . Ms . Knipe ’ s career has included a series of leadership roles in human health care , including public health , provincial policy and program development , regional health delivery and an advisory role to a provincial Minister of Health . Council also extended appreciation to Don Mayne who has concluded his term on Council .
Council ’ s policy document on telemedicine enables the veterinary profession to make use of advancements in communication and information technology to assist with delivering veterinary medicine .
The College has had a telemedicine professional practice standard for several years . This policy work has been particularly useful to support the public ’ s access to veterinary medicine during the pandemic . The College has implemented temporary changes to allow veterinarians to prescribe non-controlled drugs and substances via telemedicine .
At this time , the College is maintaining its decision to not strictly enforce certain provisions of our regulation ( section 33 . ( 1 ) ( b ) of Regulation 1093 ) pertaining to prescribing via telemedicine . Until otherwise directed , veterinarians may prescribe a non-controlled drug using telemedicine alone within a veterinarianclient-patient relationship . This is an option in cases where they have not conducted an in person examination of the animal ( s ), and where they deem the medication is necessary and prudent in their professional judgment .
This measure to support access to medications is expected to remain in place until next spring . College Council is committed to ensuring that veterinarians who practice via telemedicine provide safe , effective care .
The College Council reviewed the telemedicine policy at its September meeting . Following a thoughtful debate about the use of technology and a review of the trends in veterinary medicine , Council decided to revisit any permanent changes to its telemedicine standard in 2021 .
Election results : The College is pleased to announce that Dr . Jessica Peatling , Dr . Harold Kloeze and Dr . Annatasha Bartel have been elected to Council as a result of the October 6 , 2020 election . The College is pleased to report the 2020 election demonstrated tremendous engagement with 11 candidates seeking election in three districts and an average of 45 percent of veterinarians casting a ballot .
The Council elections have been conducted online through a secure portal since 2015 . The election is administered in accordance with the College By-Laws , with oversight by the College Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Jan Robinson .
CONTENTS
Antimicrobial Stewardship 2 Professional Engagement 3 Drug Management 5 Learning in Practice 6 Discipline Summaries 7 Council News 8
Instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 1