College Connection | Spring 2023
Team - The extraordinary importance of a single word
College Connection | Spring 2023
Team - The extraordinary importance of a single word
My initial post secondary education is in human health care . In that sector , the concept and implementation of team-based care is decades old . Not always perfect teams mind you , but teams nonetheless that are defined , named and acknowledged .
It puzzles me the word “ team ” has had such a late translation into the dayto-day quality outcomes of veterinary practice . It can ’ t be about competence – we have great practitioners at all levels . It can ’ t be how the delivery of great animal health care occurs as this is already happening with collaboration – all involved have important roles .
Perhaps teams have never been named as such given the employeremployee dynamic at facilities . Perhaps veterinarians view the term horizontally – only in relation to another peer , another veterinarian – rather than vertically as well . Perhaps it is a perceived fear of delegation and sharing responsibility for outcomes with another that gets in the way .
Or perhaps embracing team-based care is challenged by the everincreasing options for animal owners to work with additional professionals – farriers , animal rehabilitation providers , nutritionists – that feels like an erosion of the importance of veterinary knowledge and decision-making .
We know that teams exist in veterinary care – some are celebrated and wellleveraged , others not so much . Teams are intra-professional in structure ( collaborating within the practice of veterinary medicine – veterinarians , technicians , specialists ) and others are inter-professional ( where care is delivered in partnership with other skilled providers who are not veterinary professionals ).
Based on the growing discussion on this topic in both academia and research , teams are key to the delivery of safe , effective veterinary medicine in the future .
Access to veterinary care has become a critical topic in recent years . Client expectations have changed and will continue to evolve . The way forward is to ensure a framework for delivering veterinary medicine that is open , collaborative , skills sharing and jointly accountable at all levels .
In recognition of this tremendous need , Council has been seeking legislative change since 2018 . These changes ,
• Jan Robinson , Registrar & Chief Executive Officer
which are now on the horizon , will facilitate team-based care , increase clarity on co-accountability between a licensed veterinarian and a licensed veterinary technician , and support varied public access to services while managing risks to animals .
Now is the time to think “ team ” and what it means to you and your practice . The future willl depend on teams . Optimizing your team will enable you to better serve your clients and their animals . Be ready .
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 / staff
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 3