College Connection Spring 2024 | Page 3

College Connection | Spring 2024

Podcasts covering the hot topics

Prescribing , dispensing and medical records are consistently the hot topics coming into the College ’ s Practice Advisory Service . Dr . Kim Lambert , Associate Registrar Quality Practice , joined Dr . Susan Sabatini , Practice Advisor , in conversations about the questions ( and answers !) they frequently field in providing guidance to veterinary teams .

Tune in for answers to questions like :

“ Are veterinarians required to provide an owner with their animal ’ s medical record ?”

“ Does a veterinarian need to examine an animal at least once a year to prescribe and dispense medications ?”

“ Can a veterinarian prescribe and dispense an injectable drug to a client to administer to their animal themselves ?”

College podcasts are a great way to listen and learn . Take advantage of this helpful opportunity ! The Practice Advisory Service is available to assist your team with answers to questions concerning the College ’ s expectations .

cvo . org / podcasts

Taskforce identifying issues with the current delivery of after-hours care

The College consistently receives inquiries from licensed veterinarians who encounter challenges in providing access to after-hours care services for animals that they have treated recently or treat regularly .

Following ongoing conversations at the national level related to afterhours veterinary care , along with conversations on the future of the delivery of veterinary medicine , the College recognized the need to identify how after-hours veterinary care services are currently being offered in Ontario .

The College recognizes the current system presents challenges for access to care , veterinary well-being , and facility accreditation . It became clear that direct engagement with the profession would be required to understand and address these challenges . In March 2023 , College Council approved the formation of the After-Hours Veterinary Care Taskforce , chaired by Council member Dr . Claire Beauchamp .

Recruitment for the Taskforce began in Spring 2023 , and particular attention was paid to ensure that a diverse group of veterinary professionals were brought together .

Both veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians ( RVTs ) from companion animal medicine , food animal medicine , emergency medicine , as well as varying facility types were selected and welcomed to their first meeting in July 2023 .

The Taskforce has held four meetings between July and December 2023 , with a focus on information gathering as well as knowledge and experience sharing before solutioning begins .

Discussion in meetings has been lively , with a range of topics covered including :

• the definition of emergency ,

• the role of the RVT ,

• telemedicine ,

• shifts in client and veterinary expectations , and

• systems of shared on-call services .

Conversations have focused on identifying issues with existing and emerging methods of meeting the current after-hours expectations . Initial considerations of the impact of these options on the veterinarian , veterinary team members , the patient , and the client have been explored .

In the coming months , the Taskforce will begin developing recommendations for presentation to College Council in fall 2024 . At that time , the Taskforce will compile a list of potential solutions and their associated pros and cons for consideration in next steps .

Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 3