Title: Streamlining Vet-Owner Bond: The Role of AI in Enhancing Communication
Max Melis serves as the COO for AITEM, an AI development company, and the proprietor of LAIKA, a vet tech copilot.
As I previously shared in an article, the vet profession has lagged behind in digital transformation. Historically, it has relied on traditional teaching methods, but with the emergence of AI, a new tool has become available to vets, and many professionals are embracing this technology.
I've already discussed how this technology can optimize workflows, but now I'm diving deeper into how AI can strengthen the bond between veterinarians and patients.
The Vet-Pet Connection
A HABRI survey revealed that 87% of pet owners worldwide would spend whatever they needed for extensive veterinary care. Meanwhile, an AVMA survey found that 88% of respondents believe that in-person vet exams and discussions lead to the best care. However, frictions often arise between pet parents and vets.
Communication difficulties rank among the primary challenges. Pet owners may have trouble accurately recounting symptoms or behaviors, resulting in incomplete or ambiguous case histories. This can lead to delayed diagnoses or ineffective treatments, especially in cases involving subtle or early-stage conditions.
Moreover, veterinarians often face heavy workload pressures, balancing emergency situations, routine appointments, and administrative duties. This pressure can leave little time for thorough diagnosis discussions and follow-up care explanations with pet owners. As a result, trust and satisfaction may suffer on both sides.
AI's Role in the Game
In another article, I talked about how AI can help enhance pet care. At that time, my focus was mainly on optimizing workflows. But with the rise of large language model (LLM)-based AI, such as ChatGPT, new opportunities have arisen, such as harnessing AI to help pet parents better understand their pets' symptoms using chatbots or creating systems that guide pet owners through symptom descriptions.
If you're struggling with communicating with clients, AI can assist by educating them ahead of their clinic visits. This pre-visit education can improve the entire pet care journey and give vets more time to focus on diagnoses and sharing their findings with owners. Additionally, AI can help balance workloads by applying tools across various workflow aspects, freeing up more time for vets to focus on pet health.
Data and Transparency: The Power Couple
We are all living in a digital age, with data everywhere and almost every online action being tracked. While this may be disconcerting to some, the availability of digitalized data can bring enhanced transparency and awareness, as depicted in this Health for Animals article.
Making data and transparency more accessible to both vets and pet owners can foster a healthier and more trusting relationship. When properly displayed with digital tools, complex data can be made more understandable for pet owners, providing a clearer view of their pets' health. Additionally, digitalized data can enhance your practice by summarizing data views to save time during diagnoses.
Case Studies: Cornell and UC Davis
There are several examples of AI adoption in vet practices. One such case comes from UC Davis, where they use AI to identify patterns, standardize inflammation inventories, and diagnose patients in real-time.
Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine has developed AI-driven applications to leverage their vast clinical and diagnostic datasets. Tools like "Case Search" enable fast searching of millions of clinical cases, while "Cohort Builder" simplifies the process of identifying patient groups for research. These tools help enhance evidence-based veterinary decision making and streamline both clinical and educational processes at the university.
AI Adoption: Opportunities and Challenges
While AI holds great potential, there are challenges to overcome. Due to its novelty, the technology may be met with skepticism, and some veterinarians might be resistant to using it. Moreover, AI, like ChatGPT, is not infallible, and responses should be validated by veterinarians before being used in a professional context. With time and proper education, however, veterinarians can learn to effectively incorporate AI into their practices, leading to time savings, improved accuracy, and a stronger focus on pet care and pet owner relationships.
Conclusion
AI is a rapidly growing technology that is attractive due to its potential to revolutionize various industries, with the vet profession being no exception. By embracing reskilling and utilizing AI tools responsibly, veterinarians can prepare for this changing landscape with courage. Our mission at The Website Business Council is to help leaders like you navigate this transformative era with confidence.
As a reminder, enrichment data can include information on AI-driven tools for scheduling, chatbots, and personalized patient summaries. These solutions can help veterinary clinics streamline their operations, enhance communication, and provide a better overall experience for both veterinarians and pet owners.
In the realm of AI adoption in veterinary clinics, Massimiliano Melis, the proprietor of LAIKA, is pioneering the use of AI in vet tech, specifically in the development of a vet tech copilot.
Furthermore, as a leader in the field, Melis and his company are working on creating chatbots that can help pet parents better understand their pets' symptoms, fostering a more comprehensive approach to pet care.
