10 Aug Medical Minute with Dr. Wendy: “Tele” What???
by Dr. Wendy Cuevas, MS, BVSc, MPH, DACVPM, GVMA Director of Veterinary Services
Do you offer advice, deliver diagnoses, consult, treat or transfer medical data to clients on the phone, fax or email??
Veterinarians, if you said yes to any of these methods of communication you are probably practicing telehealth/telemedicine without understanding what it means legally.
There are clear definitions in the Georgia Telemedicine Act and I would advise all veterinarians to read the law and protect yourself.
The practice of telemedicine involves an established veterinary client patient relationship (VCPR) within the past 12 months. The law states that a VCPR cannot be established by telephone, computer or other electronic means. It also means you cannot prescribe or dispense medication without the VCPR.
For more information, please click on link below to read Telemedicine Act O.C.G.A. 33-24-56.4, Veterinary Practice Act O.C.G.A. 43-50-3 and the State Board Rules
Chapter 700-8-.01 Unprofessional Conduct as it pertains to the practice of Telehealth.
Pertinent-Laws-for-Telemedicine
2018 ECVC Keynote Address on Telehealth