Why you need innovative technology in your practice

Technology is constantly evolving in every area of life, and the same is true for technology in veterinary medicine. Because it is ever changing, keeping up with every new piece of technology can seem daunting. However, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer, dvm360^®, breaks down the overwhelming variety of technology and how to use it to your advantage in your veterinary practice in his session, “Remote is the G.O.A.T! Remote Technology & Wearables in Veterinary Medicine,”¹ at the Directions in Veterinary Medicine symposium in Arlington, Virginia.

When the traditional way of doing things works fine, you might think, “why do I have to bother using advanced technology?” Christman explains it's necessary to integrate efficient technology into every veterinary practice because clients will come to expect it. He says, “The reason why I'm chatting about these things is because of this: the American Pet Products Association [states that] millennials are now the largest pet owner demographic in the US.² They've come to expect rapid service, and immediate answers. They want the answer yesterday.”

“[The veterinary industry is] no different than any other service industry that's out there. When things are evolving, when things are changing, we need to go where they are, where [the clients’] wants and needs are,” Christman added.”

“And so, these things that we're chatting about, you should check with your teams about, [since it could be] a big commitment to consider doing that. You don't have to do all of them. But my biggest ask for you to do, my No. 1 thing, is to post it on social media.” Christman explains that receiving feedback from your local community is crucial for deciding what technology is necessary to incorporate into your practice. For example, Christman suggests asking clients, “We're thinking about using artificial intelligence, yes or no? Is it something you'd be interested in?” Then, from there, you can understand better what your clients specifically want to see in their pet’s care. This way you can fulfill the client’s wants and needs while also not using every single piece of technology and feeling overwhelmed by the amount. Checking in with your veterinary team about what technology they feel comfortable using or learning more about can also help narrow down your choices and make the technology integration more manageable.

The bottom line is that technology is only going to grow from here, and it’s better to keep up with its changes, then to fall behind and lose clients because of it. Christman concludes his session reminding attendees, “Innovation and technology are what makes veterinary medicine exciting and allow us to perform to a greater standard of care for our patients. While we may take some time to take to that that leap into technology, know that our pet parents are most likely there. We need to meet and exceed their needs.”

References

1. Christman A. Remote is the G.O.A.T! Remote Technology & Wearables in Veterinary Medicine. Presented at: Directions in Veterinary Medicine symposium; Arlington, Virginia. April 21-22, 2023.
2. American Pet Products Association releases generational report. News release. American Pet Products Association. Published March 23, 2022. Accessed April 21, 2023. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=1252