Why is Specialist Status important?
Specialist status has been introduced to protect owners and their pets, providing them with the piece of mind in knowing that they are genuinely dealing with someone who has achieved the highest level of expertise in their field. An officially recognised Veterinary Specialist is an individual who has had advanced training in an approved facility provided by a fully qualified expert in their field. After completing these requirements the individual can then sit for the Diploma or Fellowship examinations, and once this status is achieved, they must fulfil other stringent criteria such as involvement in clinical work, research, and training other veterinary surgeons in their field. Specialist status is difficult to achieve and maintain, and it is the highest level of recognition of expertise that can be attained in clinical veterinary work.
Terms such as “Consultant” or “Ophthalmologist” or other such terms are confusing for the general public as in the human medical field they imply specialist status. It is important to understand that this is not the case in the veterinary field. Only a veterinary surgeon who is a Recognised Specialist is allowed to call themselves a “Specialist”. The Australian States’ Veterinary Registration Boards are looking into this issue at present and are likely to regulate on these terms in the near future to reduce this confusion for pet owners and prevent non specialists from using terminology which is designed to confuse the general public. Always ask to ensure you are seeing a fully qualified Specialist.
