COLLEGE NEWS
DVM MOVES INTO HEARINGS ROLE AT THE COLLEGE
Colette Larocque , DVM , graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College and has been practising in companion animal medicine for 14 years . During that time she pursued continuing education in several areas including dentistry , nutrition , and behaviour , and also completed a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner ( CCRP ) program through the University of Tennessee .
In 2016 , Colette was looking for ways to connect with other veterinarians and became a Peer Advisor as part of the College ’ s Peer Advisory Conversation program . Colette continued as a Peer Advisor until 2019 , when she joined the College part-time as a Practice Advisor .
In May 2022 , Colette moved into the role of Principal , Investigations & Hearings . We asked Colette to comment on her new role at the College .
Why did you want to take on the role of Principal , Investigations & Hearings ?
Working in clinical practice while also working as a Practice Advisor gave me an appreciation for how the College aims to support veterinarians while upholding their mandate to serve the public interest . Helping veterinarians excel ties in with the College mandate , because it ensures the public ’ s ongoing access to quality veterinary care .
I recognize the uncertainty many veterinarians feel about College processes , and being a veterinarian in this role helps provide a direct connection to the profession .
As a Practice Advisor , I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant legislation and regulation of veterinary medicine . I fostered the ability to look for trends and potential risks , and considered areas where this insight can be effectively shared with veterinarians and the public . The role of Principal , Investigations & Hearings presents a new challenge for me as I can consider how to use these skills when looking from a different perspective .
The complaints process is in transition right now . Tell us about the current situation and your key priorities in this role for the next year .
There has been an increase in complaints
40 percent each year from 2019 . This has led to an increase in the length of time it takes to see a complaints case to completion , and has added to the stress surrounding the complaints process felt by all parties involved . This stress is acutely recognized by staff and Committee members . The complaints process is bound by the current legislation which limits our ability to make changes to certain parameters such as the number of Complaints Committee members . Until the legislation is changed , the College continues to look for ways to improve the areas within our control .
Over the next year , this includes ensuring we are taking a compassionate approach and providing support to individuals involved in the process , as well as efforts to improve efficiency and streamline the process .
As a veterinarian , what do you most want to convey to the public and other veterinarians about the complaints process ?
The College recognizes the complaints process can feel complex and stressful , and may not currently be meeting the needs of the public or veterinarians due to the limitations already mentioned .
The complaints process is a screening process to determine what action , if any , needs to be taken based on the issues presented . The Complaints Committee assesses the issues fairly and objectively .
Colette Larocque , DVM Principal , Investigations and Hearings
Complaints that arise due to highly emotional situations are handled with compassion and sensitivity . Even in cases where no action is required , the Committee is thorough in explaining their decision , including providing relevant information that can be educational for the complainant and the veterinarian .
It is important for people to know that the College adopts a Just Culture approach to regulation . For the complaints process , this includes looking at the reason behind an action and recognizing that conditions in complex environments such as veterinary practice will unfortunately lead to occasional human error . Fortunately , there are only a small number of complaints cases that involve high risk behaviours and are referred to the discipline process .
College staff , including myself , are available to help people feel supported and to understand the process .
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