Source: K8 News
Two new Arkansas laws, Acts 18 and 19, will impact Veterinary medicine. Act 18 legalizes Veterinary telemedicine, allowing veterinarians to provide remote consultations, while Act 19 permits Veterinary technicians to respond to emergency calls without a veterinarian present.
Dr. Norette Underwood of Trumann Animal Clinic sees benefits, particularly in improving access to care, but also raises concerns. She emphasizes the importance of a pre-existing veterinarian-patient relationship to prevent misinformation in telemedicine. She also questions the lack of clear emergency definitions in Act 19, noting that inexperienced vet techs could potentially harm animals if unprepared for certain situations.
Underwood suggests that telemedicine should be reserved for established clients and vet techs should be properly trained to handle emergencies. While these laws aim to expand Veterinary access, concerns remain about oversight, patient safety, and ensuring quality care. Proper regulations and experience requirements may help address these issues.