• ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspective
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 LIVE!™
Insights
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Client Handouts
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Coverage
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

The VCPR: Veterinary law Q&A

November 14, 2020
Caitlin McCafferty, Associate Editor

Conferences | Fetch dvm360 Virtual (November 2020)

Priscilla Bowens, DVM, JD, MPH, answers legal questions at the Fetch dvm360® virtual veterinary conference.

Editor’s Note: Although the information provided in this article is provided by a lawyer, it should not be construed as legal advice.

Fort Worth, Texas–based Priscilla Bowens, DVM, JD, MPH, knows a thing or two about law and veterinary medicine. The public health researcher, health preparedness educator, health care legal counsel, and dvm360® Editorial Advisory Board member sat down with Chief Veterinary Officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, at the Fetch dvm360® virtual conference to answer attendees’ questions about veterinary medicine and the law.

Q: Do you think states should allow telehealth consults without an in-person exam?

Bowens: This can be viewed as controversial. Almost every state provides for some kind of emergency situation where you do not have to have that established in-person contact. With and the advent of curbside service and other changes resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, I think it is very important that states consider the option to have veterinarians—just like in human medicine—be able to offer some services through telehealth without having to examine the animal. I do think it is possible to do this as a profession.

Q: How long is the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) valid?

Bowens: The legal answer is, it depends. It depends on where you live because it is not clearly called out in the regulations, but when I asked my state representatives they said no more than about a year would be accepted for a VCPR. I also think it depends on whether you are seeing the pet for a new issue or something for which the pet has not been seen before. It is a little bit of a gray area, but I don’t think it hurts to call your state board and see what their thoughts are, especially in times like this.

Q: What is your best advice for veterinary professionals today?

Bowens: Stay current with the changing rules and regulations from your state boards. As far as the VCPR, keep up with laws and advocate. Find time to be an advocate for yourself, because if you don’t change the law is going to change without you.

Related Content:

Fetch dvm360 Virtual (November 2020)Law & EthicsRolesTechniciansAssociates
Veterinarian travels to Ukraine border to help provide animal care
Veterinarian travels to Ukraine border to help provide animal care
How to handle emergencies while understaffed
How to handle emergencies while understaffed
New supplement addresses health issues associated with dog obesity
New supplement addresses health issues associated with dog obesity

Latest News

Veterinarian travels to Ukraine border to help provide animal care

How to handle emergencies while understaffed

Attracting veterinary talent in a competitive market

PetMeds and Vetster partner to improve access to telehealth

View More Latest News