AAHA releases 2025 guidelines for effective veterinary specialist referrals

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According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), research has indicated that a timely referral for a patient’s condition can extend their survival time, improve their quality of life, and lead to more favorable perceptions from clients.¹ Last month, the AAHA released the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines to provide veterinary practices with a framework for managing referral cases, including the most complex ones.

“What excites me most about these guidelines is their comprehensive yet practical approach to streamlining the referral process,” Genesis Jones, DVM, co-chair for the 2025 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines, wrote in an AAHA announcement.² “For the first time, we’re providing a detailed roadmap that benefits everyone involved—primary care teams [PCTs], specialty care teams [SCTs], and, most importantly, our patients and their families.”

The new guidelines outline 3 referral collaboration models²:

• General collaborative conversations: Discussions between veterinary professionals focused on sharing general insights without addressing individual patient cases
• Professional-to-professional consultations: More in-depth discussions that focus on specific cases and involve a PCT seeking advice from a specialist without transferring care
• Hands-on referrals: A formal process that transfers direct patient care to a SCT for the management of a particular condition

Additional takeaways from the guidelines include the value of a web-based portal and the importance of the PCTs’ continued involvement with the client and patient. A dedicated web-based portal can improve communication in referral cases through shared access to medical records, completed and pending diagnostics, and patient updates.¹

Moreover, PCTs should remain engaged with the client and patient, as ongoing involvement is a top predictor of positive client feelings toward the referral process.¹ According to the AAHA, a study by the Collaborative Care Coalition found that clients valued their referring veterinarian’s continued engagement and openness to working alongside other veterinary professionals, with client perceptions being 6 times more likely to improve post-referral.¹

The AAHA also recommends documenting and communicating with the SCT about any completed and/or pending tests and procedures to prevent duplication. The organization also advises veterinary practices make clients aware that the SCT may need to repeat certain diagnostic and monitoring tests.²

The guidelines also emphasize the importance of teleconsultation, recognizing it as an essential tool in adapting to modern veterinary practices.³

When it comes to keeping communication effective between PCTs and SCTs, the AAHA suggests designating single points of contact—this referral coordinator position could be handled by either a veterinary technician or a customer service representative.^1,3 The organization also recommends establishing expectations for follow-up care, as well as using technology for transparency, record-sharing, and collaborative case management.

In its document, the AAHA also emphasizes the importance of remembering to talk about the referral process with the client. The conversation should also include a discussion on referral cost estimates. “In many instances (e.g., internal medicine, dentistry, surgery cases), the primary care team may not be able to provide accurate estimates prior to the specialist’s assessment. Normalizing conversations about cost and providing at least the referral fee and any other expected tests/procedures will help clients deal with the potential stress of finding out about referral costs,” wrote the AAHA in its guidelines’ introduction.¹

“What makes me particularly optimistic about these guidelines is their potential to transform how we think about referral relationships. They’re not just about improving processes—they’re about building stronger professional relationships, enhancing patient care, and ultimately creating better outcomes for everyone involved,” wrote Jones.²

“As our profession continues to evolve, these guidelines will serve as a foundation for stronger collaboration between primary and specialty care. By working together more effectively, we can ensure that our patients receive the comprehensive, coordinated care they deserve while supporting their families throughout the journey,” she continued.²

References

1. 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines. American Animal Hospital Association. February 25, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2025-aaha-referral-guidelines/
2. Jones G. Transforming veterinary collaboration: A sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines. American Animal Hospital Association. February 21, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/sneak-peek-at-the-upcoming-2025-aaha-referral-guidelines/
3. AAHA releases guidelines for veterinary specialist referrals. American Veterinary Medical Association. March 3, 2025, Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/aaha-releases-guidelines-veterinary-specialist-referrals?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news