Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR)

Adapted from the GVMA Regulatory Handbook 

The VCPR is the backbone for the legal and ethical responsibilities of a veterinarian to make judgments and accept responsibility for animals’ care while providing oversight of treatment, compliance, outcomes as well as providing a resource for how an owner can get emergency care if the need arises.  The VCPR is addressed in both the Veterinary Practice Act and the State Board of Veterinary Medicine’s Rules and Regulations. 

 An appropriate veterinarian/client/patient relationship will exist when: 

1. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility to make decisions regarding the health of an animal and medical treatments needed and the owner agrees to follow the instructions of the veterinarian;
2. There is sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means that the veterinarian has seen the animal within the last twelve (12) months and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of an examination of the animal(s), and/or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the  animal(s) are kept; and
3. When the practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy. 

Below is the current definition of the VCPR in the GA Practice Act and the Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine. 

GA Veterinary Practice Act:  

 “Veterinarian-client-patient relationship” means that: 

(A) The licensed veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making  medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client has given informed consent for services provided by the licensed veterinarian; 

(B) There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the licensed veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the licensed veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by the virtue of examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept or by medically appropriate and timely visits by the licensed veterinarian to premises within an operation or production system where the animal or groups of animals are kept; 

(C) A licensed veterinarian is readily available for follow up care or consultation or has arranged for: 

(i) Veterinary emergency coverage; and 

(ii) Continuing care and treatment by another licensed veterinarian, 

including providing a copy of associated records during normal business hours; and 

(D) The licensed veterinarian develops and maintains appropriate medical records. 

GA Rules and Regulations: Rule 700-8-.01(d) Failure to have an appropriate Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship 

The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or other caretaker) has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian; 

 There is sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means that the veterinarian is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of: 

(I)  an examination of the animal by the veterinarian within the last twelve (12) months, or 

(II) medically appropriate and timely visits by the veterinarian to the premises where the patient is kept. 

FAQs: 

Does GA have a hospital VCPR?   

Currently no – the VCPR is between the veterinarian, the patient(s) and the client. 

If the veterinarian with the VCPR is away from the office, can other veterinarians fill refills or carry out treatment plans in their absence? 

Yes – if the medical record is complete with refill orders, diagnostic plans, or treatment plans then another veterinarian can carry out the orders that are in the medical record.  If the other veterinarian would like to begin making medical decisions for the patient, then they need to establish their own VCPR with the patient.