The CVMA is a very active organization. The Association is engaged in dozens of projects, some of which are short-term, and many of which are ongoing, regular functions of the national body representing Canada’s veterinarians. With so much going on, it’s critical that the CVMA maintains a focus on what is most important to its members. For several years, the CVMA has had a short list of 3 CVMA priorities, which are derived from the CVMA’s Mission Statement. The CVMA’s priorities are:
Animal Welfare Advocacy
Leadership on National Issues
The Successful Practice of Veterinary Medicine
Surveys over the last decade have consistently shown that CVMA members strongly agree with the CVMA’s emphasis on Animal Welfare and National Issues. In addition, the Successful Practice of Veterinary Medicine was identified as a CVMA priority in 2000; it consists of 2 segments: Business Management and Communications. Let’s have a closer look at the 3 CVMA priorities and examine why they are so important.
When veterinarians are asked to name the 3 CVMA priorities, they almost always name Animal Welfare first. That’s not surprising. Animal welfare, directly or indirectly, is what veterinarians are all about. As veterinarians, we gain credibility and respect by putting the needs of animals first and trying to see animal welfare from the “animal’s point of view.”
When we control pain in companion animals or enhance cow comfort in dairy cows, we are improving animal welfare and practising good veterinary medicine. Animal welfare issues, today more than ever, are prominent in the minds of corporations, consumers, and the general public.
Our profession is expected to be at the forefront in animal welfare. The CVMA has provided leadership with its multiple Animal Welfare Position Statements, its continued advocacy for reform in federal animal cruelty legislation, and its strategy for helping veterinarians deal with cases of animal abuse. Veterinarians have the skills and knowledge to contribute to advances in animal welfare, but so do many others, such as animal scientists and animal behaviorists. It is vital that we all work together to ensure we continue to do what’s best for the animals in our care.
Leadership on National Issues comes naturally for the CVMA. When dealing with federal legislation, regulations, or government departments, it makes sense for a national organization to show the way. The CVMA has the people in place in Ottawa to make sure that the voice of veterinarians is heard. One of the CVMA’s most significant areas of activity is veterinary drug issues. In cooperation with the Veterinary Drug Directorate of Health Canada, the CVMA is dealing with such items as New Drug Submissions, Extra-Label Drug Use, and Own Use Importation.
The CVMA has also tackled the difficult topics of the prudent use of antimicrobial drugs and antimicrobial resistance. None of these files is closed; the work can be slow and sometimes frustrating. Immediate concrete results are often elusive. We must, however, have the patience and perseverance to stick to it for the long term.
As veterinarians, we all want the same thing: veterinary drugs that are efficacious, reliable, available, and safe for our patients, their owners, and the public. To ensure that these goals are achieved, the veterinary profession must be seen to use veterinary drugs, especially antimicrobials, responsibly and judiciously. That’s the best way to be ready to deal with any future challenges to our ability to prescribe, dispense, or administer veterinary drugs.
Money is not the main reason people choose veterinary medicine as a career. Nonetheless, economic issues are critical to our profession. That’s why the Successful Practice of Veterinary Medicine has been chosen as the 3rd CVMA priority. Veterinarians need to be sufficiently compensated to pay off educational debt, prepare for retirement, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle commensurate with our commitment and value to society.
To continue to recruit students and retain recent graduates, the CVMA must help veterinarians keep their finances healthy. All parts of our profession share in the benefits. Higher salaries in private practice raise the bar for employers of veterinarians in government, academic, or corporate sectors.
Economic success also translates into quality medicine by allowing practices to provide optimal staffing and better service, equipment, facilities, and patient care. Over the last 10 to 15 years, Canadian veterinarians have much more widely accepted that properly charging for services and products helps to ensure practice profitability. The CVMA’s Business Management Program goes to the next level with the Practice Diagnostic Report that focuses on areas such as appointment scheduling, client statistics, practice expenses, and human resources management.
As well, the CVMA, through its communication efforts, continues to effectively promote the value of veterinary medicine. A CVMA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada partnership has raised awareness of dental health, senior care, and pet fitness and obesity. A Pet Health and Nutrition Tool Kit will be released this fall. The CVMA’s 2 Web sites for Canadian animal owners (www.animalhealthcare.ca) and (www.santeanimale.ca) provide valuable information to the public and remind people that their best source for animal health service and advice is their local veterinarian.
There you have it....the CVMA’s 3 priorities, the essence of what CVMA does. These priorities are not sacred nor are they written in stone. In fact, in the coming year, the CVMA Council will be reexamining these priorities and fine tuning them, if necessary, to make sure they are in line with the wants and needs of today’s Canadian veterinarians.
Your input, as always, is encouraged.