New specialty proposed: Nephrology and urology
Submit comments by July 6
The AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) is seeking comments on a proposal to recognize a new veterinary specialty for small animal veterinary nephrology and urology.
The ABVS has received a letter of intent seeking recognition of the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology.
"Advanced care in nephrology and urology is best provided by clinicians with the necessary focused expertise that ensures the correct application and safe and effective delivery of these therapies," the group said in its letter. The objectives of the proposed specialty organization "are to establish standards of practice excellence for the evaluation and care of urinary disease in companion animals and to organize and promote the science, education, and innovation leading to the advancement of these disciplines through specialized training and certification."
The ABVS invites comment from the veterinary profession and the public regarding the proposed new specialty. Comments must be signed and submitted by email to the ABVS no later than July 6, 2020. Email all comments to the ABVS at ABVS
avma [dot] org (ABVS[at]avma[dot]org).
Comments
New specialty proposed: Nephrology and urology
I believe that this proposal is great! As an almost veterinarian I am currently going to complete a one year rotating internships and had been researching ways to become specialized in nephrology. I think having this would be great and many veterinarians such as myself that are interested in nephrology would be more than happy to have this. I am very excited for this proposal and hope for the best!
So this specialty would get…
So this specialty would get to focus on companion animals only? Why? It seems like some specialties are getting the benefit of a limited skill set and some are expected to be proficient in all species. Also, with most felines facing some form of end stage kidney disease the formation of this limited scope specialty would take long term client management out of the average DVM's wallet. Also it would build up the expectation that to manage a kidney case you need a specialist, which isn't currently the standard of care. Would this involve surgeries as well? Do all referral hospitals have to compete for every last urolith? I think specialties are neat-o but I would need more information about the aims and purpose of this one lest every organ get a specialty and GP become irrelevant.
No need
Kidney and urinary issues are treated daily in most general practices. Adding a new specialty invariably leads to changing the standard of care and pressures general practitioners to refer cases for more costly treatment that doesn't equate to significantly better outcomes.
Nephrology specialty
I would be very interested to see further elaboration regarding the proposed training program. The letter of intent states:
The proposed minimal training requirements include completion of a two-year, web-based core curriculum in nephrology and urology and at least three full-time-equivalent years of focused clinical experience in nephrology and urology. A visionary clinical training program is proposed to provide the broadest training opportunities for qualified candidates.
Since I do not specifically see the word “residency”, should we presume that this will not require a residency training program?
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