Best Practices for Patient Evaluation and Treatment in Veterinary Telemedicine
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- May 1
- 2 min read
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) has outlined best practices for evaluating and treating patients using telemedicine. These guidelines offer crucial information for veterinary healthcare providers looking to integrate telemedicine into their practice.
When to Use Telemedicine
Telemedicine can be a valuable tool in various situations, including postoperative care, triage, managing chronic conditions, behavioral and nutritional consultations, and even for new client introductions. It also facilitates efficient prescription and food refills for existing patients and enables consultations between veterinarians. In emergencies, telemedicine can be used for triage to determine if an in-person visit to an animal hospital or emergency clinic is necessary.
Informed Consent and Service Offerings
Obtaining informed consent from the client to use telemedicine is highly recommended. Practices should decide whether they will offer synchronous (live video chat or phone), asynchronous (text, email, photos, video), or remote monitoring services. If using live video, a dedicated space should be prepared to ensure privacy and proper conditions for the telemedicine visit.
Planning for Emergencies and Patient Evaluation
A contingency plan for emergencies and referrals is essential. Veterinarians must use their professional judgment to determine when telemedicine is appropriate for diagnosis and treatment. Patient evaluation should be based on the patient's history and medical records whenever possible. To aid in decision-making, providers should use clinical protocols that outline conditions suitable for telemedicine, necessary diagnostic information, treatment scope, and prescribing guidelines.
Key Information for Diagnosis and Prescribing
When diagnosing, veterinarians should gather identifying information, history, chief complaint, details of the present illness, associated signs and symptoms, past medical history, medication review, allergies, and results of any healthcare provider-directed client examination. If a diagnosis can be made, prescribing medications and recommending treatment is acceptable, but providers must be aware of any regulatory restrictions.
Follow-up and Quality Assurance
Scheduling a follow-up exam is important, and this can be done in-hospital or via telemedicine. A summary of the consultation should be provided to the client, including history, diagnosis, and recommendations. Regular quality checks of telemedicine services are necessary to identify potential risks and failures.
Billing and General Advice
Clients should be informed of the costs of telemedicine services upfront. It is crucial to remember that telemedicine is a tool to assist in veterinary care, and veterinarians must adhere to the same legal and professional obligations as with in-person care.
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