The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine has launched Veterinary Education Online, an Internet-based program for veterinarians available at www.veoillinois.org.

Enrollees complete courses within 60 days. Individuals can access the modules anytime, from any computer with Web access.

Each course consists of modules that provide a range of 15 minutes to three hours of continuing education credit. Topics include pain management, diagnostic imaging, dentistry, ophthalmology, cytology, parasitology, and emerging diseases. The average price is less than $35 per hour of credit, and packages of multiple modules are offered at a discount.

"Veterinarians in single-doctor practices or in remote locations may especially value the ease of access VEO makes possible," notes Dr. Christine Merle, coordinator of marketing for Veterinary Education Online. "The obstacles of time, distance, and money are reduced or removed via the Web, while the topics are immediately applicable for busy practitioners."

Enrollees should check with their state's regulatory board to ensure acceptance of online continuing education credit for the purposes of state license requirements.

The VEO is funded in part by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.