AVMA releases new telehealth guidelines
The AVMA has released a new telehealth guide that the association says will serve the entire veterinary profession.
According to the AVMA, the “Guidelines for the Use of Telehealth in Veterinary Practice” is a step-by-step guide that includes:
- Definitions of the key components of telehealth.
- Context on federal and state regulatory requirements and legal considerations governing the use of telehealth, including the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
- A sample practice workflow.
- Technological and workspace considerations in the delivery of telehealth.
- How to engage the practice team and clients in ways that support effective service delivery, including the marketing of new strategies.
- Pricing strategies.
The guide addresses telehealth through the lens of “connected care,” which it defines as “the integration of digital technologies to enhance and support the VCPR and facilitate proactive and ongoing care through improved communication, diagnosis and monitoring.”
“These guidelines are an extremely helpful resource for veterinary practices at a critical time,” said AVMA President Dr. Douglas Kratt. “Many services that veterinary practices provide on a daily basis lend themselves well to the use of telehealth, such as post-surgical care, hospice care, general wellness advice, education and after-hours care. And, by comprehensively embracing connected care, practices can further enhance care for their patients by tapping into opportunities for remote monitoring and by integrating AI into patient diagnostics.”
The AVMA has also collaborated with the American Animal Hospital Association to develop telehealth guidance specific to small animal practices.
