Veterinary medicine is changing by the day, with many updates and new tools available for diagnosing animals, treatment, prevention, and more. These technological advances help veterinarians create a more accurate prognosis and diagnosis for animals, which is helpful for pet owners.
It is challenging to understand or know what sort of ailment your pet has or even suffering since it cannot communicate with you. Therefore, leveraging and embracing new technology for veterinarians is imperative to making pet care more streamlined and effective.
Veterinary practices have a higher demand, with an increased need for more jobs for technicians and staff members. New technology is creating this demand, which also helps reduce unnecessary expenses for pet owners, increases communications, and provides repeat visits to detect problems.
But, what exactly are these new technologies? And what is their integral role in the industry? Here are a few technological advances in veterinary practice that are helping future outcomes for animals.
Telemedicine
The digital advances in healthcare are one of the first helpful tools in veterinary practice. Virtual services are more readily available. With telemedicine, you can meet with and book an online vet appointment in a virtual conference to see if an actual in-person meeting or examination is necessary.
Telemedicine is helpful for veterinarians and pet owners for multiple reasons, some of which are:
- Better Post-Surgical Recovery Care – when your pet undergoes an operation, the care that occurs afterward is essential for proper healing and recovery. With telemedicine, you can skip the unnecessary visits to the veterinarian to see how your pet is progressing and easily keep track during the healing process with virtual appointments.
- Convenience and More Flexibility – Are you a pet owner with a busy schedule? Does your dog hate crates? Going to the vet can be challenging for pet owners with little time or anxious pets. They can find a much easier time meeting with the veterinarian through virtual consultations. Plus, no waiting rooms, which helps pet parents find more flexibility with easier access to care from the comforts of home.
Several ways help telemedicine to be beneficial for veterinarians. This newer and more advanced technology can aid vet practices with a leg up on the competition and help make pet owners’ lives more accessible since they can attend visits from their smartphones just as quickly as a computer.
Mobile Applications
Various mobile applications allow for more open communications between veterinarians and pet owners. Healthcare mobile applications also help with improved accessibility and provide streamlined delivery of services.
Other benefits for veterinarians utilizing mobile apps include:
- Saving Time and Costs – veterinary practices won’t have to worry about a missed appointment or invest in time and tools when they can provide patients with pet care through a mobile app. You can address multiple patient woes and worries. In turn, it will give the veterinary staff more time to prioritize tasks that can help increase profits and efficiency throughout the practice.
- Brand Awareness – your vet practice will have improved brand awareness and exposure with a mobile app, which gives more potential pet owners the option to find you.
- Communications – streamlining communications with patients can help when things like notifications or email newsletters can be created that help keep them updated on your practice.
- Scheduling – you can create your schedule and allow patients to make appointments with the click of a button. There are loads of technical support that come with mobile apps, and vets can easily communicate and confirm (remind) patient appointments in numerous ways.
Leveraging or looking into the addition of a mobile application can play a big role in advancing veterinary practices. And it is another method that can improve patient outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a technology that veterinarians can embrace since it is a rapidly growing and changing one. Progressions are being made through the use of AI every day, and there is more to offer the world of veterinary practice.
Automated solutions can free up time for vets since they can embrace tools for automating regular daily tasks, including labeling, measuring, and analyzing documents. Any documents or paperwork can take time to fill out and slow down other tasks that need focus.
Imaging data is another AI innovation, with radiology systems that can provide more accuracy. For example, vets can easily see and detect patterns for early signs of arthritis in dogs to properly diagnose and treat your pets’ health issue before it becomes severe.
There is AI that utilizes algorithms that can be put in place through deep learning to help vets understand what is expected and what isn’t in an animal’s health. Once the algorithm establishes the standard, the AI can detect any abnormalities that may need to be addressed.
AI is a technological advancement in veterinary medicine that can revolutionize how things are done. Leveraging the benefits that AI can offer can drastically improve operations within a veterinary practice, so it is something to be considered investing in for the future.
The Future of Veterinary Medicine
Numerous technology solutions can help the healthcare industry improve patients’ outcomes and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. Technology is also a means to help provide your business with more success through visibility, streamlined care, and more accurate diagnosis.
As medical technology improves and continues to advance, the level of care that veterinarians can provide gives patients more affordable and accessible options. Whether it’s automated software and tools, adapting new technology for diagnosis, or utilizing digital integrations for ease of scheduling and care, it is safe to say that new and innovative technologies will play a significant role in veterinary medicine and practices.