Telehealth, says the AVMA, has emerged as a prime opportunity for veterinarians to deliver health information and care to clients via technology. Emerged? Haven’t we been doing this for years? The key here is to define and segregate actions.
Telehealth is an overarching term describing the delivery of health information, education or care REMOTELY. The AVMA has created an online Telehealth Resource Center with a suite of educational and practical tools for veterinarians and their teams.
Source: AVMA SmartBrief, January 9, 2018.
The Telehealth Resource Center provides comprehensive information on the opportunities and challenges of telehealth:
- Telehealth Basics, including key definitions and frequently asked questions
- Telehealth and the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR)
- Steps to Implement Telemedicine Services in Your Practice
- Telemedicine Service Models
Also see: Telehealth; adjusting veterinary care to technology (video content), Animal Health Digest, November 7, 2017.
Telemedicine and its impact on veterinary medicine, Animal Health Digest, December 13, 2017.
INSIGHTS: If we are learning anything from the implementation of the VFD, it is that defining compliance is critical to ensure that both humans and animals are protected in the processes of animal care. Some of today’s accepted practices will need adjustment, recordkeeping and new training.
The current tools focus on companion animals. However, the VCPR definitions from the VFD decisions are implied with companion animals. It is important for ALL animal health pros to review Veterinary Telehealth: The Basics at a minimum.