Telemedicine: Videochats with Veterinarians

Telemedicine: Videochats with Veterinarians

In a recent television commercial, new parents are up in the middle of the night worrying about what they just discovered in their baby’s diaper. The mother decides to video chat with a doctor right then and there. At the same time, the sleepy father takes a major spill, tripping on a xylophone and crashing into the baby’s new shelves. Long story short, the doctor assures everyone that both the new baby’s diaper and the new father’s injury are all perfectly normal.

This concept of telemedicine, also known as telehealth or e-health, allows health-care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology. 

No one doubts its potential in pig production, particularly as swine farms become more specialized and continue to expand. However, it’s not without controversy. 

Beth Thompson, JD, DVM, Minnesota state veterinarian and executive director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, told PigHealth Today that guidelines vary from state to state. She said regulators need to be involved in the conversation.

For example, large systems often have multiple sites in multiple states, and each state has its own laws and policies related to telemedicine. For telemedicine to work, she said the veterinarian would have to be licensed or under the authority of the licensing agency where the patient is located and provide the evaluation and treatment of the patient to establish the veterinary-client-patient relationship. 

Demonstrating continuity of care and records would also be essential, she said. Prescriptions would be at the discretion of the veterinarian and regulated by local laws and standards just like on-farm visits. 

Although telemedicine may serve in more of a consulting role, it could be very beneficial when dealing with local or foreign animal diseases.

“With [concern surrounding] African swine fever…, it’s even more important that everyone communicates well,” Thompson said.
 

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