Competency and Controversies Along the Spectrum of Care

Declining access to veterinary care is a critical issue facing the veterinary profession. Understanding the concept of standard of care and utilizing the spectrum of care as a way to address this issue will benefit pet owners and their pets. Evidence-based medicine should play a larger role in creating as wide a spectrum as possible and will create greater value for the resources expended. Until broadly accepted clinical practice guidelines are created, white papers, consensus statements, and specialty organization disease monographs should be better utilized by practitioners. Financial limitations will continue to play an important role in limiting access to veterinary care.