AAHA’s 2025 Referral Guidelines: A Game Changer for Veterinary Care
In the world of veterinary medicine, referrals are often a crucial but complex part of patient care. General practitioners must determine when to seek out the expertise of a specialist—balancing their own caseload, the availability of specialists, and client expectations for a smooth, effective experience. But what if there was a framework to guide them, one that could make the referral process clearer, more efficient, and ultimately beneficial for everyone involved? Enter the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines.
Released on February 26 by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the new guidelines are a comprehensive roadmap designed to enhance collaboration between Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Specialty Care Teams (SCTs), ensuring that pet patients receive the best care possible. These guidelines aim to strengthen the relationships between general veterinarians and specialists, reducing frustration for both the healthcare teams and the clients they serve. And for the first time, this detailed framework provides structure and clarity to the referral process, something that had previously been left to individual practices and providers.
Building Stronger Relationships
The core of the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines is their ability to foster stronger professional relationships between PCTs and SCTs. The task force behind the guidelines, co-chaired by Dr. Genesis Jones, recognized that referrals aren’t just about transferring patient care—they are about building trust and open communication between colleagues. Dr. Jones, a senior associate veterinarian with experience in both general practice and urgent care, emphasized that the new guidelines have the potential to transform how veterinarians collaborate.
"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," said Dr. Jones.
The Three Models of Referral Collaboration
One of the standout features of the 2025 guidelines is the introduction of three distinct referral models that veterinary professionals can use depending on the situation:
General Collaborative Conversations: These are informal discussions where veterinarians can exchange insights about a case, without diving into specific patient details. It’s a way to leverage specialists’ expertise before making a more formal referral.
Professional-to-Professional Consultations: In these instances, a general practitioner reaches out to a specialist for guidance on a specific case, without transferring ownership of the patient. This allows PCTs to get expert advice while continuing to manage the case themselves.
Hands-on Referrals: This is the most formal type of referral, where the care of the patient is transferred entirely to a specialist, and the SCT takes on full responsibility for managing the case.
These models help streamline communication, ensuring that no one feels left in the dark, and that the patient’s care is continuous and coordinated.
Referral Coordinators: The Unsung Heroes
A key component of these guidelines is the role of the referral coordinator. According to Dr. Jones, a referral coordinator might be a veterinary technician or a customer service representative—someone who serves as the point of contact between the PCT and SCT, ensuring that records are transferred smoothly and clients are kept up to date.
“By having a referral coordinator and getting updates from the specialty center, I know what’s going on. That takes away the need for the specialist to communicate with me at every part of the referral,” Dr. Jones said. The referral coordinator helps manage client expectations, ensuring they know what to expect during the referral process and alleviating much of the stress that comes with uncertainty.
Leveraging Technology to Improve Care
The guidelines also highlight the critical role of technology in the evolving landscape of veterinary care. Tools like teleconsultation and web-based referral portals are becoming increasingly vital to improving communication between veterinary teams. Dr. Jones pointed to BluePearl’s online referral portal as an example of how technology can help streamline the process, making it easier for specialists to share updates with primary care veterinarians without constantly having to pick up the phone.
With such systems in place, veterinarians can stay informed about a patient’s progress, enabling them to provide better care. This technology frees up time for both primary and specialty teams, allowing them to focus on patient outcomes rather than administrative tasks.
Ensuring Smooth Transitions
The post-referral process is just as important as the initial handoff. The guidelines emphasize the importance of ensuring that a patient’s return to primary care is just as seamless as their transition to specialty care. Communication between the two teams is critical in avoiding gaps in treatment and ensuring that the patient’s health continues to be monitored closely.
A New Era for Veterinary Referrals
In an industry where collaboration is key to improving patient outcomes, the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines have the potential to revolutionize how veterinarians work together. With clearly defined roles, stronger relationships, and better communication, the new guidelines ensure that veterinarians can work more efficiently while providing better care for pets and their families. And with the addition of technology like teleconsultation and online referral portals, the process is becoming more streamlined and accessible than ever before.
These guidelines are a win for everyone involved—from the primary care teams and specialty care teams to the clientswho depend on them for their pet’s health. With improved communication, a more structured approach to referrals, and a focus on collaboration, the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines represent a major step forward in veterinary care.
For those in the field, it’s clear: the future of veterinary referrals is brighter, more efficient, and patient-centered—thanks to these transformative guidelines.
