Comments invited on proposed new specialty

Should equine diagnostic imaging be recognized as a veterinary specialty? The American Board of Veterinary Specialties is seeking public comment on that question until mid-September.

An organizing committee has submitted a petition to the American Board of Veterinary Specialties requesting recognition of equine diagnostic imaging as a new specialty within the American College of Veterinary Radiologists (ACVR). The petition says the ACVR Equine Diagnostic Imaging specialty (ACVR-EDI) would provide dedicated training for equine radiologists to enhance their service to equine practitioners and specialists; further raise the standard of care; and promote research, teaching and academic development, and clinical service.

The proposed three-year training program would include all available diagnostic imaging modalities, and encompass orthopedic, soft tissue, abdominal, airway and cardiac imaging. Residents would have integral involvement with equine clinicians in multiple fields to promote a clinically applicable and holistic approach to equine diagnostic imaging, according to the petition.

The organizing committee believes the current ACVR format is heavily weighted toward small animal imaging, limiting the training time for equine imaging and deterring veterinarians with a strong interest in equine imaging from entering the field. They say creating the new specialty would enhance equine veterinary care, particularly in the fields of equine sports medicine, surgery and internal medicine.

Certification in ACVR-EDI would be a possibility for currently boarded veterinary radiologists who pass the ACVR-EDI certifying examination, and for those who undergo the ACVR-EDI residency. In addition, non-radiologists with expertise in equine diagnostic imaging could participate in a portion of the training of residents.

You can find more information and instructions for commenting on the petition here. Comments must be received no later than Sept. 17, 2018.