The Cutting Edge Veterinary Podcast

STUDENT: Tara Mulloy
Mentors: Dr Becky Valentine and Dr Nanci Bond

Abstract

With increasing pressure for general practitioners (GP’s) to make fast diagnoses and treatment plans, dermatological patients presenting with non-specific clinical signs (pruritis) are often misdiagnosed or prescribed treatment plans that are not feasible for owners. Referrals to veterinary dermatologists are predominantly used when the GP is out of ideas, or the client is frustrated. For this reason, dermatological cases are one of the main reasons client’s lose trust in their GP and “vet-hop”. This is frustrating for the client, the untreated animal, and the veterinarian involved. In paper, I will introduce how integrating a spectrum of care (SOC) approach can facilitate the diagnostic process of complex dermatological conditions such as canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) for a GP, while also catering to the needs, abilities, and expectations of owners. I will show how simplified research-based algorithms and outlines can be helpful in streamlining a dermatological work-up for a GP, without compromising the standard of medicine. I will discuss where referrals can be effectively integrated at various steps of the diagnostic process and potentially limit time and cost, while maintaining client satisfaction. My goal is to introduce how a SOC approach to simplify dermatologic diagnosis for a GP.

Release date:

29 September 2024