Telehealth Solutions to your Clinic’s Biggest Problems

Telehealth apps are revolutionizing the way veterinarians care for pet patients. With the help of these apps, pet owners may set up virtual consultations with their vet to discuss the health and welfare of their pets. This enables veterinarians to offer the same level of care without leaving the comfort of their own home as they would in a real office environment. Also, tele-health apps aid in ensuring that all pets receive timely, high-quality care, which is crucial for animal welfare. By leveraging telemedicine technology, veterinarians can now provide better, more cost-effective healthcare for their pet patients than ever before.

The ideal answer to many of the everyday issues that veterinary practices currently encounter may be found in tele-health apps. These apps make it easier to offer online meetings, consultations, and virtual appointments between pet owners and veterinarians. They also make it possible for vets to remotely check on the health of animal patients, enhancing animal welfare. Also, veterinary professionals can provide their clients a more practical and affordable method of care for their pets thanks to tele-health technologies. As a result, tele-health apps are growing in popularity for veterinary firms since they assist in resolving a number of problems related to providing care for animals.

Let us delve further into the problems faced by veterinarians and how tele-health can solve them.

Problem: Reaching remote patients

The number one limitation small veterinary practices face is reach. The number of pets and pet owners in America has been steadily increasing. So, the problem isn’t the lack of potential clients, the problem is tapping into that potential. If the clinic could be extended to reach its entire target audience, it would be massively more profitable. This is even more important for specialist and tertiary care hospitals that depend entirely on referrals from nearby veterinarians. If only their clients could find them independently, right? 

Telehealth Solution: Remote consultations

There are quite a few benefits of remote consultations. Firstly, they allow for quick and efficient detection and treatment of pet health issues without the need for in-person visits. This can be especially useful for remotely-located pet owners, who are unable to access the services of clinic. Online consultations also accommodate those animals and their humans that have mobility issues that prevent them from traveling to your location. Generally, having these appointments is a huge convenience for busy pet parents and a cost-saver too. Remote consultations also reduce wait times for both in-person and virtual appointments. It thus enables veterinarians to see more patients in less time.

In addition, remote consultations allow veterinarians to keep an eye on their patients, checking in on them for signs of worsening or improvement. Using virtual visits, veterinarians may also give pet owners timely guidance and assistance, fostering better client relations and raising the standard of care overall.

As technology continues to advance, it is likely that remote consultations will become an increasingly important part of the veterinary care landscape, helping to improve access to care and promote better pet health outcomes.

Problem: Chronic Conditions

The leading cause of death in animals is chronic diseases. These include cancer, arthritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes and glaucoma, among others. The emotional and physical toll of these conditions can be great for both the animal and its owner. But the veterinarians also face the burden of consistently medicating and performing therapies. Unfortunately, pet owners may be negligent, try untested alternatives, forget instructions, or fail to administer the medication. As a result, it is difficult to ensure the maintenance of the treatment regimen. These animals require ongoing management and supervision. Bringing the weakened animal in regularly, however, isn’t feasible for either the owner or the care provider.

Telehealth Solution: Improved Patient Monitoring

The importance of accurate patient monitoring in a veterinarian clinic cannot be overstated. Having all the necessary information is what makes treatment plans effective and successful. Through the use of tele-health applications and remote monitoring devices, veterinarians can track vital signs and health metrics in real-time. Studies have shown that pedometer apps on phones can be as reliable as pedometrical devices. This allows for quick diagnosis and fast action when necessary. And earlier interventions reap better results for animals.

A veterinarian can continuously keep track of important health indicators and physiological factors like hormones, blood sugar levels or heart rate. Remote monitoring can therefore be very helpful for creatures with chronic disorders that require continuing care. Through better patient monitoring, vets can also to determine which patients need in-person appointments. Triaging patients this way can make for a better use of clinical resources, reducing the strain on overworked veterinarians. This can help reduce wait times for in-person appointments and improve the overall quality of care for all patients.

Problem: Limited Facilities

The staff at an animal care unit must be mindful of the number of animals they can safely accommodate at any given time. The center only has the facilities to support a limited number of pets before overcrowding becomes an issue. Even with separate rooms for different categories, excessive arrivals can lead to chaos and disarray. This can become dangerous and detrimental to the environment around the animals. The longer the wait-lines, the lower the client satisfaction rates, as well. Furthermore, with resources fully engaged and the staff struggling to onboard more animals, the mental wellbeing of veterinary nurses, technicians, and assistants is deeply at stake.

Telehealth Solution: Reduced wait-times

Waiting for an appointment at the vet can be one of the most frustrating experiences for pet owners. This is caused by an imbalance between numbers of available veterinarians and rapidly increasing demand for veterinary services Long wait times can lead to a feeling of impatience, frustration, and even anger. Extended wait periods can be distressing for animals and possibly exacerbate medical issues. Unfortunately, this negative experience often carries over into client satisfaction with the entire veterinary visit.

Research has shown that shorter wait times have a significant impact on client satisfaction at veterinary hospitals. Studies have found that shortening wait times from 15 minutes to 5 minutes or less can significantly increase patient satisfaction ratings. But veterinary clinics may demonstrate to their consumers that they appreciate their time and are devoted to offering high-quality, effective treatment by cutting down on wait times.

In addition, reduced wait times can help veterinary clinics attract and retain clients. Clients are more likely to return to clinics where they have positive experiences, and shorter wait times are a key factor in creating positive experiences.

Problem: Misaligned Records

Most veterinary hospitals lack a standardized information organization system. This makes it difficult to find or exchange records consistently. Multiple electronic systems are employed for EMRs, billings, appointment scheduling, etc. Of course, confusion and disorganization ensue. This makes compiling or synchronizing patient data between them in one place difficult. Lack of standardization makes it even more difficult to transfer files and as a result, discrepancies crop up unchecked.

Matters are further complicated by the side-by-side use of paper records. These are easily misplaced and becomes a burden to store after a while. In fact, just sorting through all these different techniques would require intense and regular staff training.

Telehealth Solution: Streamline Record-keeping

Telehealth can be a major asset to veterinary clinics by making record-keeping fluid and flexible. It allows veterinarians to store patient records, such as medical history, survey responses, feedback, and treatment plans, in one centralized location. As the appointment commences, the doctor’s notes are all stored within the patient’s file organized by session and date. This makes it easier for them to access up-to-date information quickly and accurately, as well as update and export records.

Moreover, telehealth can help reduce paperwork by eliminating the need to manually transfer physical documents between different departments or locations. Sharing patient information with other animal care providers or specialists is a lot easier, improving collaboration and coordination of care.

Result: Improved Animal Welfare

One of the key advantages of telehealth is improved access to care. With the help of telehealth, pet owners in isolated or rural locations may get high-quality veterinarian treatment without having to travel a great distance, which relieves stress for both the animals and their owners.

Telehealth can also lead to more timely intervention and treatment for pets. Remote monitoring allows veterinarians to identify and prevent the progression of more serious health issues.  This will ultimately improve the results for animals.

In addition, telehealth can help reduce stress for pets by minimizing the need for in-person visits. Many pets experience stress and anxiety during visits to the veterinary clinic, and telehealth can help reduce this stress by enabling virtual visits from the comfort of their own homes.

Overall, telehealth can improve animal welfare by improving access to care, reducing stress and anxiety for pets, and enabling more timely intervention and treatment. By utilizing telehealth, veterinary clinics can enhance the overall quality of care for pets and improve their welfare.