College Connection | Fall 2023
Contextualized Veterinary Care : It ’ s not black or white and certainly not gold continued from previous page
College Connection | Fall 2023
Contextualized Veterinary Care : It ’ s not black or white and certainly not gold continued from previous page
The contextualized model can also help the veterinary team understand Don ’ s reluctance to approve Stretch ’ s surgery and rehabilitation and work out alternative options , such as prescribing steroids and absolute rest . Maybe Don simply does not understand the need for surgery . Maybe he isn ’ t as bonded with Stretch as is the rest of the family . Maybe he is struggling with religious or cultural or economic concerns .
Contextualized veterinary care does not protect against all angst , however . Consider the case of Elissa Danforth and her aged rescue mare , Roxie . Roxie managed to develop an abscess at the base of her pinna . Unable to touch the ear , Roxie was sedated and the abscess lanced and cleaned . Although daily cleaning and application of an antiseptic cream may be the gold standard treatment , sedating the elderly mare daily is not practicable .
In this case , the veterinarian must weigh administering an antibiotic injection , risking poor antimicrobial stewardship practice , against daily sedation . Regardless of the decision , the veterinarian can use the model of contextualized veterinary medicine to justify treatment options in conversation with Elissa .
The veterinary team revels in the latest advances in veterinary medicine . The team is socialized to provide the most technologically advanced , evidencebased care for patients . In many cases , however , less sophisticated veterinary care provides for a more satisfying and successful outcome for the patient , the owner and the veterinary team .
Moving from trying to reach the nonexistent “ gold standard ” to considering contextualized veterinary care helps the team provide the very best advice and care for patients and their owners within each patient ’ s and client ’ s specific needs and abilities . This model also helps the veterinary team feel more comfortable and confident in their VCPR with clients and patients .
Let ’ s step away from the term “ gold standard ” and progress to contextualized care where a range of options are presented in the context of what is best for the client and their human-animal bond .
References :
1 . https :// www . gold . org / history-gold / the-classical-gold-standard
2 . Skipper , A ., Gray , C ., Serlin , R ., O ’ Neill , D ., Elwood , C ., & Davidson , J . ( 2021 ). ‘ Gold standard care ’ is an unhelpful term . Veterinary Record , 189 ( 8 ), 331-331 .
College position on spectrum of care
In 2022 , Council developed a position related to spectrum of care , Balancing Available Health Care Options and Client Access to Veterinary Care . The position recognizes veterinary medicine offers more options for care than ever before . Veterinarians are expected to offer care along a spectrum that strikes a balance between what is available and what is accessible for animals and their owners . Veterinarians should determine , with their clients , the appropriate care options for each case .
Position Statement
CONTACT THE COLLEGE
Registrar Jan Robinson , Registrar & CEO registarsinbox @ cvo . org
President Dr . Alana Parisi , President president @ cvo . org
Associate Registrars Shilo Tooze , Associate Registrar , Licensure stooze @ cvo . org
Dr . Kim Lambert , Associate Registrar , Quality Practice klambert @ cvo . org
Contact College Staff
Find the staff list & contact information at www . cvo . org / contact-us
Program E-mails
inquiries @ cvo . org licensure @ cvo . org accreditation @ cvo . org complaints @ cvo . org qualityassurance @ cvo . org
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 5