17 Feb 2021
More than 1,000 members took part in survey that has helped shape “Lessons from lockdown: telemedicine is here to stay” and a practical follow-up session.
Paul Imrie
Job Title
Findings from a BSAVA survey of vet professionals have shaped a session on the lessons of lockdown taking place at BSAVA Virtual Congress next month.
The results, particularly on the way technology is now being used in practices, have refined some of the content for the congress topic “Lessons from lockdown: telemedicine is here to stay”, which is part of the current topics stream on 27 March.
The main session by Brian Faulkner will be followed by “A practical perspective – how we have used it, and what have we learned?” with Matt Flann.
In the survey, which had 1,001 respondents, 75% said changes during the COVID-19 pandemic had been, or would be, positive and would see long-term changes to practice. Most said the pandemic had accelerated use of technology, increasing efficiencies and customer service.
More than 25% said use of technology for triage and/or consultations had improved efficiency or service offered to clients, with more than 10% saying the pandemic had been a catalyst for streamlining processes for booking appointments or taking payments.
BSAVA president Ian Ramsey said: “The survey results have given us an important insight on how technology is being deployed to help the profession continue to help pets and their owners safely, and to the best of their ability in these difficult circumstances.
“Vets have embraced innovations in practice such as telephone triage, remote consultations and digital communications. These have shown us that, as within the human health care sector, we can continue to deliver our vital services – possibly to an even more efficient and effective standard – despite the restrictions.”
Prof Ramsey added: “Our congress session on lockdown learnings promises to make for compelling listening with important ramifications for veterinary practice even after the pandemic has receded to a bitter memory.
“As we return to degrees of normality these innovations should not be discarded, but equally must not be allowed to generate the inequalities that go hand in hand with them if some practices and owners are inadvertently left behind.”
BSAVA Virtual Congress 2021 will feature more than 130 hours of CPD, live and on-demand content from 27 to 29 March and for 60 days after. Full details and registration are online now.
