Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship

What is it?

A Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) is the foundation of any interactions that occur between a veterinarian, the client (i.e., owner, operator, rancher), and the patients (i.e., the livestock).  

A VCPR must exist before a veterinarian can provide services, such as prescribing or administering drugs. The conditions of a valid VCPR include [1]:  

• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) under their care,  
• The veterinarian must assume responsibility for making clinical assessments and recommendations,  
• The client must follow the veterinarian’s recommendations,  
• The veterinarian must be available for follow-up evaluations.  

The relationship involves communication between the veterinarian and the client about the animals’ needs to ensure they receive the best possible care.  

How Does it Prevent AMR?

As of 2018, Health Canada regulations require that all medically important antimicrobials need to be prescribed by a veterinarian [2]. As veterinarians can only write prescriptions when a valid VCPR exists, this helps ensure that antimicrobials are only being used as needed. This process ensures that effective oversight and stewardship are considered to guarantee responsible antimicrobial usage takes place.