Transforming veterinary collaboration: A sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines

Genesis Jones, DVM, is co-chair for the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines, which will launch on February 26, 2025. A senior associate veterinarian at a general practice and urgent care veterinary hospital, Jones has extensive experience managing referrals and collaborating with specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care and understands the critical role of effective communication in veterinary medicine.

As a dedicated general practitioner, she has navigated complex cases, facilitated transfers, and integrated specialist recommendations into treatment plans. She considers it an honor to serve on this task force and appreciates the way it allowed her to contribute alongside an incredible group of veterinary professionals from diverse specialties. Read the Referral Guidelines for yourself on February 26.

The launch of the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines on February 26 marks an exciting step forward for primary care and specialty care veterinary teams alike. As the co-chair of the task force that created them, I’m delighted to share why these guidelines represent a significant advancement for our profession and the patients we serve.

Veterinary medicine has become increasingly complex in recent years. With over 22 specialty organizations and 46 veterinary specialties recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), referrals have become integral to providing comprehensive care.

Clients increasingly expect clear communication, seamless coordination, and high standards for both routine and complex cases. The 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines respond to these needs by providing a framework that fosters stronger partnerships between primary care teams (PCTs) and specialty care teams (SCTs). This collaboration ensures patients receive timely, thorough, and compassionate care—a priority in an era where access to care and client satisfaction are fundamental.

What’s new in the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines

What excites me most about these guidelines is their comprehensive yet practical approach to streamlining the referral process. For the first time, we’re providing a detailed roadmap that benefits everyone involved—primary care teams, specialty care teams, and, most importantly, our patients and their families.

The new AAHA Referral Guidelines establish three distinct referral collaboration models:

1. General collaborative conversations: These involve non-specific discussions between veterinary professionals to exchange general insights without addressing particular patient cases.
2. Professional-to-professional consultations: These more in-depth discussions focus on specific cases, where a PCT seeks advice from a specialist without transferring care.
3. Hands-on referrals: This formal process transfers direct patient care to a SCT for the management of a specific condition.

The guidelines distinguish these levels of engagement, creating a flexible yet structured approach that improves efficiency and clarity.

Enhancing communication and coordination

One of the most valuable aspects of these guidelines is the emphasis on the referral coordinator role within PCTs and SCTs.

Referral coordinators act as the primary point of contact, ensuring consistent communication, proper transfer of medical records, and management of client expectations. This role is crucial in eliminating delays and enhancing the client experience.

The guidelines also reinforce the importance of post-referral responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition back to primary care. SCTs are encouraged to provide clear discharge summaries, ongoing treatment recommendations, and pending diagnostic follow-ups so that PCTs can seamlessly resume patient care.

Expanding access with teleconsultation and technology

The guidelines highlight teleconsultation as a vital tool in responding to evolving veterinary care delivery models.

This approach is particularly valuable for practices with limited specialist access or for clients facing geographic or financial constraints. By incorporating teleconsulting, PCTs can seek specialist input without requiring an immediate physical referral, helping maintain continuity of care while improving patient outcomes.

Additionally, the guidelines advocate for the use of web-based referral portals to facilitate information exchange.

These portals streamline everything from initial referrals to real-time updates on diagnostics and treatment plans, ensuring that all parties remain informed throughout the process. This technological integration isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating a more connected and organized veterinary community.

The impact of collaboration on patient outcomes

The timing of the  2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines couldn’t be more crucial. As veterinary medicine becomes increasingly specialized, the number of referrals continues to grow.

Studies from the Collaborative Care Coalition have shown that collaborative care can significantly improve patient outcomes. The initiation of early referrals impacts everything from increased survival times in cardiac patients, improved quality of life for pets with chronic conditions, and increased client satisfaction. These findings reinforce the necessity of clear referral pathways and strong inter-professional relationships.

Moreover, early referrals and clear communication between teams not only improve medical outcomes but also enhance client satisfaction and trust. These guidelines provide the framework needed to make these successful collaborations the norm.

Implementing the guidelines in practice

For practices looking to implement these guidelines, a structured approach is key:

1. Establish clear communication protocols: Define preferred methods of communication and assign referral coordinators to facilitate exchanges.
2. Leverage available technology: Utilize teleconsultation and referral portals to streamline patient transfers and updates.
3. Focus on family-centered care: Recognize that referrals are not just about medical decisions but also about supporting pet caregivers through a potentially stressful process.
4. Use the referral roadmap: The guidelines provide a step-by-step approach that practices can adapt to their specific workflows, ultimately reducing inefficiencies and improving clinical outcomes.

Looking ahead

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.

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.

The 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines represent more than just a set of recommendations—they embody our profession’s commitment to excellence, collaboration, and patient-centered care. I invite you to explore them in full when they launch next week and to join us in this exciting new chapter for veterinary medicine.

Photo credit: pixelfit via E+ Getty Images

Disclaimer: Trends content is meant to inform, educate, and inspire by providing an array of diverse viewpoints. Any content published should not be viewed as an official stance, position, or endorsement by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors.