Abstract
In the last ‘Clinical Practice’ issue of JFMS, Feline Focus carried an article about the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVSc) Membership examination, which is opening up to veterinarians in Europe. Another route for veterinarians wishing to demonstrate excellence in feline practice is offered by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and is available to veterinarians around the world, as this article explains.
The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) is approved as a Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Unlike other AVMA—ABVS specialty boards, which are devoted to specific disciplines or organ systems, the ABVP awards species-oriented certification in 10 recognized veterinary specialties, one of which is Feline Practice. Candidates whose credentials are accepted and who pass the examination are granted Diplomate status, with all the rights and responsibilities of AVMA—ABVS board-certified specialists.
Who is eligible to certify through the ABVP?
ABVP certification is available to practicing veterinarians without the need to pursue a formal residency or postgraduate education. Veterinarians from any country are eligible for species-specific certification provided they hold a valid veterinary license and have completed at least five years of clinical practice prior to application, and six years of practice prior to examination.
The ABVP certifies practitioners with exceptional knowledge, skill and competency in the care of the total patient. It is the goal of the ABVP that practitioners who excel in the art and science of clinical practice seek certification.
What does it mean to be a Diplomate of the ABVP, Certified in Feline Practice?
Feline Practice became one of the ABVP's Recognized Veterinary Specialties in 1995. This specialty is well suited to veterinarians who predominantly or exclusively practice feline medicine and surgery, and choose to be recognized as feline specialists.
ABVP
To advance the quality of veterinary medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence in species-oriented clinical practice.
Avian Practice
Beef Cattle Practice
Canine and Feline Practice
Dairy Practice
Equine Practice
Exotic Companion Mammal Practice
Feline Practice
Food Animal Practice
Reptile and Amphibian Practice
Swine Health Management
ABVP Diplomates certified in Feline Practice have demonstrated expertise in the broad range of clinical subjects relevant to feline practice. They have demonstrated by the certification process that they are capable of, and committed to, providing an advanced level of clinical practice.
What does the certification process involve?
The steps toward certification are: application, submission of credentials, review and acceptance of credentials, and passing the certification examination.
Credential materials include:
Copy of veterinary diploma.
Curriculum vitae.
Synopsis of veterinary practice.
Self-report job experience form.
Continuing education documentation. A minimum of 90 hours of veterinary continuing education completed in the previous 5 years; continuing education must support the practice category.
Three applicant evaluation forms (references). At least one reference must be from a board-certified Diplomate of a recognized veterinary specialty organization. Evaluators must be veterinarians who are familiar with the applicant's professional abilities, competence, ethics and integrity.
Two case reports or one case report and one publication. Two separate case reports are required that illustrate the applicant's professional expertise and clinical abilities. Case reports allow assessment of the applicant's ability to recognize and manage medical and surgical problems, to utilize the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities currently available, and to present and interpret clinical findings. Case reports must be in English. A publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal may be submitted in lieu of one of the case reports, provided it meets the requirements for acceptance as outlined by the ABVP. The applicant must be first author, and the topic of the publication must make a meaningful contribution to the literature of the specialty to which the applicant is seeking certification.
Timeline AND FEES
September 1
Application and fee due (US$330)
January 15
Credentials submission due (US$220)
June 1
Applicants notified of acceptance of credentials and eligibility to sit examination
September 1
Deadline for registration for examination (US$440)
November
Certification examination in Chicago
December
Notification of examination results to candidates
Applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements may reapply the following year, resubmitting only those credential materials that were unacceptable, along with a resubmission fee. One futher attempt is permissible, after which a new application and credential materials must be submitted.
What is the format of the Feline Certification Examination?
The Feline Practice examination covers a broad range of material relevant to feline medicine and surgery. Items are designed to test specialist level knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to clinically relevant problems and scenarios.
The examination consists of two parts, a specialty examination composed of 300 multiple choice items, and a practical examination of 50–100 multiple choice items based on projected images. Examination items are categorized by discipline (cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, etc); an examination blueprint showing the percentage of items in each category is available on the ABVP website.
The examination is in English; laboratory values are in both US and international units. Three opportunities are allowed over a three-year period to pass both sections of the exam.
Is there a way to connect with Diplomates or other applicants while preparing for certification?
The ABVP has an informal mentoring program to help with the process. Mentors are Diplomates who have volunteered to give guidance to applicants.
The ABVP also offers online study groups to assist veterinarians in working their way towards board certification. Each group is led by current Diplomates, all of whom know first-hand what it takes to become certified.
Where can I get more information?
The ABVP website (www.abvp.com) allows access to the Applicant Handbook, frequently asked questions and examination study guides, as well as a host of other information about the certification process. The handbook details all the information regarding eligibility requirements, fees and credentials. It is the single most comprehensive source of information on certification.
If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact the ABVP office. Each practice specialty has a Regent, who represents applicants, candidates and Diplomates, to answer questions and offer advice. Contact information for the ABVP Office and the Feline Regent is available on the ABVP website.
ISFM and AAFP
Closer collaboration across the Atlantic to improve cats’ lives worldwide
Cross-Atlantic collaboration between the ISFM and AAFP has existed since the AAFP agreed to adopt JFMS as its official journal in 2002, and is growing. The Journal has both European and US offices, and the editors Andy Sparkes and Margie Scherk work together on ideas for the JFMS ‘clinical practice’ issues. Recently, the groups have formalised a strategic partnership (see below) and jointly put forward consensus guidelines on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are also co-hosting the first World Feline Veterinary Conference, which is taking place in Boston, USA, in September (see the advertisement in this issue for more details).
The groups recently met at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando to see where further collaboration could be targeted to promote feline medicine and practitioners, and avoid reinventing the wheel. Future conferences and guidelines were discussed, and the meeting generated other new ideas that the ISFM plans to unveil later in the year. Watch this space!
Awards
ABCD and Merial Young Scientist Award
The ABCD and Merial Young Scientist Award 2010 was presented, at last summer's ISFM Congress in Amsterdam, to William McEwan (centre), by Professor Marian Horzinek (left), Chair of the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) and of the award jury, and Dr Jean-Christophe Thibault, Merial's Technical Director for Biologicals (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Dr McEwan, of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (UK), received the award, worth 1000, for his work on the replication and cross-species transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in domestic cats and lions, and the restriction factors in these species in particular. ‘Understanding the means by which host species are able to prevent viral replication gives us insight into the mechanisms of infection and may allow us to engineer therapy based on similar mechanisms or by enhancing immune responses,’ he explained. The 2011 Award will be made at the ISFM's European Congress in Vienna in June
Aiming high in feline medicine
Over 50 vets from around the world have signed up for this year's feline medicine distance learning course being run by the ISFM in conjunction with the University of Sydney Centre for Veterinary Education. The course is based on a 10 module programme, including two weekend workshops, and is undertaken over 10–12 months. Twenty-two of those taking part are ISFM registrants. Details of future courses will be posted on www.isfm.net.
Medicines
Converting to Caninsulin
Caninsulin (Intervet Schering-Plough) will soon be the only available licensed veterinary insulin in the UK, and some other countries. The Insuvet range is to be withdrawn. While both are pharmacologically similar, each animal's transition from Insuvet to Caninsulin will have to be managed carefully. A number of key UK diabetes experts have produced some guidelines to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. These can be found at www.vsg-online.co.uk. A Diabetic Veterinary Helpline, +44 (0) 1908 685685, is available for veterinary surgeons wishing to discuss cases.
A client letter and FAQ sheet can also be ordered through the Helpline.
ISFM
Hotel discount for ISFM Vienna Congress
The ISFM has negotiated an extra discount on accommodation rates at the Vienna Hilton, the venue for the 10th ISFM feline congress, of €169 for single or double occupancy rooms (€179 for single with breakfast). This offer closes on March 31.
See the advertisement opposite for more details. Full congress information can be found at www.isfm.net.
Spreading the word: student membership of ISFM
There are currently just over 1000 registered ISFM student members across the world, based at 38 different European universities. This map shows the location of final year students who were accessing their JFMS online in January. Thanks to support from Nestlé Purina, final year veterinary students can register to receive a free online subscription to JFMS for their final year and for their first year as a graduate. Any final year students interested in joining the scheme can approach their student dean or register online at www.isfm.net/student. The free first year graduate offer is only open to those who subscribe as a student.