Innovation Station

Whether you support it or not, telehealth is here to stay.

An important moment passed us by without much fanfare. At the Connexity conference in September 2018, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association jointly produced a how-to guide on telehealth. “The Real-Life Rewards of Virtual Care” outlines step-by-step instructions for implementing telehealth tools, what to consider in terms of technology and […]

Do you know who your clients are calling after hours? You can concede the business to someone else or you can take an active role in meeting their needs.

While the telehealth conversation has largely centered on telemedicine and whether a veterinarian can diagnose a case through digital tools, after-hours triage care — nights, weekends and holidays — is an important but often overlooked consideration for practicing veterinarians. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards recently voted on a new model act of practice […]

When introduced and promoted properly, a telemedicine app can improve health care, strengthen the patient bond and increase revenue.

It’s no secret that technology is changing the way health care is delivered. As a veterinarian who manages two Indiana practices, Devonshire Veterinary Clinic in Anderson and Geist Station Animal Hospital in Indianapolis, I have found what works well for me and my team, so I am sometimes hesitant to change the way we deliver […]

The changing veterinary-client-patient relationship requirement will open up new opportunities for care.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards this year released a model telehealth policy for public review and comment. The policy includes a provision allowing for the possibility of establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) without the necessity of a hands-on examination. Here is the specific language: “A veterinarian using telehealth must take appropriate steps to […]

Human biotech leaders would welcome a closer relationship with animal health interests.

This past spring, a group gathered in snowy Dedham, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. The theme of the Human Biotech and Animal Health Business Partnering Summit was the need to explore collaboration between human and animal health. Organized by Kiasco Research, the meeting also highlighted how the veterinary community can benefit. Here’s how: 1. Lessen […]

Digital drivers are moving the industry forward, but not every clinic business model will survive.

The veterinary profession is undergoing a period of unprecedented change. This cliché is usually accompanied by a series of tropes like: Revenues are increasing but new-client numbers are staying flat. Veterinarians are experiencing burnout at an increasing rate. Corporate consolidation is putting more pressure on small practices. New models of low-cost care are putting upward […]

Corporate jockeying, telemedicine's evolution and new models of care all moved the veterinary needle.

2017 was a big year for the animal care industry. Now that we’re a couple of months into 2018, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the changes that took place. 1. Big Companies Made Bigger Moves What happened: VCA was acquired by Mars. Thrive Affordable Vet Care grew the low-cost, high-quality model. […]

The profession must steer efforts to adapt digital tools to pet health care. Failure to do so will see clients choose pioneering practitioners.

Veterinary medicine has the distinct advantage of being able to observe trends, discoveries and new methods of health care delivery in human health care, and the reverse is also true. There are lessons to be learned from telemedicine in human health care, and veterinary medicine is uniquely positioned to benefit substantially from advances in human […]

Novices can utilize text messaging, website tools and video platforms to begin elevating the level of client interaction and communication.

A year ago, most of my conversations about telehealth began with a puzzled look on the veterinarian’s face and the question, “What is this telehealth everyone talks about?” Today, those conversations begin with, “I’m just getting too many emails/text messages/phone calls and not recouping any money for my time. Is there some app that can […]