Spectrum of Care
Modern veterinary medicine has more options for care than ever before. Advancements in science and technology continue to expand the traditional platform of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and treatment. While growth in the profession has created breadth in available knowledge and skill, it has also perhaps contributed to personal expectations of perfection and the perceived need to provide a “gold standard” of care.
The College position, Balancing Available Health Care Options and Client Access to Veterinary Care, highlights the paramount importance of context when a veterinarian identifies care options to a client regarding their animal(s). Options are important to ensure access to services for clients and animals from all backgrounds.
While veterinarians may provide the most innovative or advanced options, this is not a College requirement. Veterinarians are supported in offering care options along a spectrum that strikes the necessary balance between available veterinary care and access to veterinary care for animals and their owners in Ontario.
Podcast: The Impact of Spectrum of Care on Practice
Recorded in 2024, Dr. Wade Wright and Dr. Jason Coe, PhD, Professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, discussed spectrum of care in veterinary practice. The episode provides insights into the evolving concept of spectrum of care and its potential impact on veterinary practice, and how it can be used to support client communication.
References
The Value Matrix
The Value Matrix is a visual aid designed to support shared decision-making and the practice of spectrum of care in veterinary medicine. The tool enables veterinarians to present complex options to clients in a simple graphic that outlines the advantages, disadvantages and costs associated with each option.