The International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) stands as a beacon in the realm of veterinary infectious disease management and antimicrobial stewardship. Recently, Dr. Claire Fellman, DVM, PhD,, DACVIM, DACVCP, and President-Elect of ISCAID, unveiled a comprehensive overview of ISCAID's endeavors and future trajectories.
ISCAID's Mission: Dr. Claire Fellman shed light on ISCAID's pivotal mission: to propel the understanding and management of infectious diseases in companion animals forward. With a firm commitment to evidence-based guidelines, ISCAID endeavors to enhance clinical outcomes, advocate for responsible antimicrobial usage, and confront emerging infectious threats head-on.
Delving into Guideline Development: Central to ISCAID's efforts is the meticulous development of evidence-based guidelines for managing infectious diseases in companion animals. Dr. Claire Fellman provided valuable insights into the rigorous guideline development process, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of cutting-edge research and clinical practices to ensure the guidelines' relevance and effectiveness.
Fostering Stakeholder Engagement: Recognizing the paramount importance of stakeholder engagement, ISCAID actively solicits input from various stakeholders, including veterinarians, researchers, and industry partners. Dr. Claire Fellman elaborated on ISCAID's efforts to foster collaboration and ensure that the guidelines resonate with and meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.
Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities: While ISCAID has made significant strides in advancing veterinary infectious disease management, Dr. Fellman acknowledged the hurdles that lie ahead. These challenges include the challenge of raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the pressing need for continued research to bridge knowledge gaps and address emerging threats.
Charting the Course for the Future: Looking forward, ISCAID aims to expand its impact by harnessing advancements in technology and data analysis. Dr. Fellman emphasized the potential for synergistic collaborations with other organizations and underscored the importance of addressing geographic disparities in access to veterinary care.
Engaging Questions: Throughout the presentation, Dr. Claire Fellman fielded specific inquiries from the audience, including the role of social sciences in veterinary medicine, geographic disparities in access to care, and the dearth of guidelines in avian and exotic medicine. These discussions underscored ISCAID's commitment to inclusivity and its willingness to address diverse challenges.
Dr. Claire Fellman's illuminating presentation offered a comprehensive glimpse into ISCAID's relentless pursuit of excellence in veterinary infectious disease management and antimicrobial stewardship. By fostering collaboration, embracing technological advancements, and engaging with stakeholders, ISCAID is poised to tackle the multifaceted challenges posed by infectious diseases in companion animals. Watch the full webinar to gain more insights into ISCAID’s initiatives and dive into an active Q/A session.