At the 2024 American Association of Equine Practitioners Conference, Charlotte Lacroix, DVM, JD, presented on using telemedicine legally in equine practice. She described telemedicine as a tool to augment your practice, with many potential applications.
Potential Applications for Telemedicine in Equine Practice
According to Lacroix, equine practitioners can incorporate telemedicine into many aspects of their jobs. Some applications include teletriage and teleadvice for nonclients, teleconsulting with a specialist, telecommunication with your veterinary team, telemonitoring of an animal, and electronic prescriptions.
Role of the VCPR in Telemedicine
The AVMA’s Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA), which was updated in 2021, provides guiding principles for those who are preparing or revising a practice act under the codes and laws of an individual state. Some states also use this document when creating their laws.
Section 5 of the MVPA states: “No person may practice veterinary medicine in the State except within the context of a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR).” In addition, it says, “A Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship cannot be established solely by telephonic or other electronic means. Without a VCPR, any advice provided through electronic means shall be general and not specific to a patient, diagnosis, or treatment. Veterinary telemedicine shall only be conducted within an existing VCPR, with the exception for advice given in an emergency until that patient can be seen by a licensed veterinarian.”
Many companies are now offering veterinary triage to clients over the internet, which will be a slippery slope if states weaken the requirements for establishing a VCPR, said Lacroix. She showed examples of multiple websites touting online veterinary care with the ability to receive prescriptions for medications. States have different definitions of what constitutes a VCPR, and it’s important to understand your state’s laws when offering telemedicine services. Because there is money to be made in this area, strong lobbying is taking place. The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) maintains a website with a map of current regulations regarding virtual VCPRs across the U.S. The website also shares information about various myths related to VCPRs.
Advantages of Using Telemedicine in Equine Practice
In companion animal practice, Lacroix suggested virtual examinations might become superior to traditional in-person exams. Virtual exams decrease stress in the animal and allow the veterinarian to inspect the environment where they live. This is not as beneficial in ambulatory equine practice, but virtual appointments could still be advantageous for rechecks, hospice care, triage, and providing care to horses whose owners cannot afford in-person appointments. With increased utilization of technicians to conduct physical exams in the field, followed by an immediate video conference with the doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan, equine practices could deliver care to more animals.
Final Thoughts
While we don’t know exactly what the future of telemedicine looks like in equine practice, it is certainly here to stay, driven by client demand for immediate care for their animals.
Related Reading
- 2024 AAEP Convention Business Highlights
- Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating Legislation Affecting the Veterinary Profession
- The Business of Practice: Telemedicine Triage in Equine Practice
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