Telemedicine in Veterinary Practice
Telehealth is the overarching term that encompasses all uses of technology to deliver health information, education or care remotely. Telehealth can be divided into categories based on who is involved in the communication. For communications between veterinarians and animal owners there are two important categories that are distinguished by whether a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) has been established: telemedicine, which is client-facing, includes the delivery of information specific to a particular patient and is allowable only within the context of an established VCPR; and non-client-facing models that involve delivery of general advice, telemarketing, and advertising.
Telemedicine is a subcategory of telehealth that involves use of a tool to exchange medical information electronically from one site to another to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Examples include using Skype or a mobile app to communicate with a client and visually observe the patient for a post-operative follow-up examination and discussion. Telemedicine is a tool of practice, not a separate discipline within the profession. The appropriate application of telemedicine can enhance animal care by facilitating communication, diagnostics, treatments, client education, scheduling, and other tasks. Practitioners must comply with laws and regulations in the state in which they are licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Telemedicine may only be conducted within an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, with the exception for advice given in an emergency care situation until a patient can be seen by or transported to a veterinarian.
Teleconsulting
Teleconsulting is a subcategory of telehealth in which a general practice veterinarian uses telehealth tools to communicate with a veterinary specialist to gain insights and advice on the care of a patient.
Telemonitoring
Telemonitoring is remote monitoring of patients who are not at the same location as the health care provider. This could range from the use of a portable glucose monitor to a wearable monitoring device that captures the patient’s vital signs and other behaviors.
Teleadvice
Teleadvice is the provision of any health information, opinion, guidance or recommendation concerning prudent future actions that are not specific to a particular patient’s health, illness or injury. This is general advice that is not intended to diagnose, prognose, treat, correct, change, alleviate, or prevent animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical, dental, or mental conditions. Examples include recommendations made by veterinarians or non-veterinarians via phone, text or online that all pets should receive annual wellness exams as part of a comprehensive preventive care plan, or that animals living in mosquito-infested areas should receive year-long heartworm preventatives.
Teletriage
Teletriage is the safe, appropriate, and timely assessment and management (immediate referral to a veterinarian or not) of animal patients via electronic consultation with their owners. In assessing patient condition electronically, the assessor determines urgency and the need for immediate referral to a veterinarian, based on the owner’s (or responsible party’s) report of history and clinical signs, sometimes supplemented by visual (e.g., photographs, video) information. A diagnosis is not rendered. The essence of teletriage is to make good and safe decisions regarding a patient’s disposition (immediate referral to a veterinarian or not), under conditions of uncertainty and urgency.
E-prescribing or electronic prescribing
E-prescribing, or electronic prescribing, is a digital-based electronic generation, transmission and filling of a medical prescription, taking the place of paper and faxed prescriptions. Requirements for prescriptions can vary from state to state, and also depending whether they involve controlled substances. In general, veterinary prescriptions should be handled in the same way, whether on paper or in a digital format. Veterinarians interested in e-prescribing should check both state and federal requirements.
mHealth or Mobile Health
mHealth, also called mobile health, is a subcategory of telehealth that employs mobile devices. Some mHealth applications and wearables are designed to augment animal health care within veterinarian-client-patient relationships, while others are designed and marketed directly to consumers for their education and animal monitoring without clinical input (no VCPR).
Technology is used in telemedicine to provide medical care remotely. Telemedicine can be utilised in veterinary medicine to offer care to remote locations, conduct remote patient monitoring, and conduct remote consultations. Telemedicine is being used more frequently in veterinary practise, and it has the potential to completely change how veterinary care is provided. Benefits of Telemedicine in Veterinary Practice: Improved access to care is one of the main advantages of telemedicine in veterinary practise. In remote or underserved locations where access to veterinary care may be restricted, telemedicine can be used to give care. For patients with mobility challenges or who are unable to bring their dogs to the clinic, telemedicine can increase access to care. Remote consultations can be offered through the use of telemedicine, which can benefit patients by saving them time and money. Efficiency gains are another advantage of telemedicine in veterinary practise. Patients can be monitored remotely through telemedicine, which eliminates the need for frequent clinic visits. For patients with chronic diseases that call for continual monitoring, this may be very helpful. Veterinarians, patients, and other healthcare team members may all communicate with one another more easily thanks to telemedicine.
How can Telemedicine be Used?
Telemedicine is a tool that expands our ability to provide care to our patients. There are multiple scenarios where telemedicine may be adequate to provide veterinary care. Examples include certain recheck examinations, continued management of chronic diseases in pre-existing patients, and preventative care examinations (such as renewing tick/flea and heartworm medications). Within the limitations of the current COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine can also facilitate remote information gathering from animal owners with new or changing concerns. Examination of the patient may then be conducted virtually (depending on your jurisdiction’s regulations; this is where the owner facilitates examination through your instructions) or by drop-off at the veterinary hospital. Diagnostics and treatments can also be carried out once the animal is dropped off. This allows for social distancing while continuing to provide veterinary medical care. Telemedicine may also help offer veterinary services to those less likely to visit veterinary clinics due to other concerns (distance, transportation, anxious animals, family situation, owner illness).
What are the Limitations of Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is only an extension of what veterinary medicine provides. It does not replace what is currently done or what is deemed necessary by a practitioner. In other words, if a physical exam and/or diagnostics are necessary, then this should be requested and conducted while respecting social distancing (such as drop-offs).
Challenges of Telemedicine in Veterinary Practice:
Maintaining client relationships is one of the challenges of telemedicine in veterinary practise. In order to deliver high-quality care, a solid client-vet relationship is crucial, and telemedicine can make it more challenging to build and sustain these ties. However, veterinarians can maintain a personal connection with patients and deliver high-quality care by utilising video conferencing and other technologies. Assuring the calibre of treatment given is a difficulty for telemedicine in veterinary practise. Veterinarians using telemedicine must rely on patient information, which may not always be precise or comprehensive. In order for veterinarians to make an accurate diagnosis and administer the necessary care, it is crucial to make sure they have access to all pertinent information. There are other uses for telemedicine in veterinary practise in addition to remote consultations and monitoring. Veterinarians can use telemedicine, for instance, to triage patients and decide if they need emergency care or can wait for an appointment. Additionally, it can be used for follow-up visits, enabling veterinarians to keep track of a patient’s development after a course of treatment. Veterinarians can consult with experts or other veterinarians on challenging cases via telemedicine to obtain second opinions. The potential for telemedicine to enhance animal welfare is a further advantage. By allowing animals to get care in their comfortable home environment, telemedicine can help animals experience less stress and anxiety. In a clinical setting, this can be very helpful for animals who are tense or apprehensive. Additionally, telemedicine can lessen the need for sedation or anaesthesia, both of which carry risks and potential side effects. Another benefit is the possibility for telemedicine to improve animal welfare. Telemedicine can make animals feel less stressed and anxious by enabling them to get care in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. This can be particularly beneficial for animals that are anxious or nervous in a clinical situation. Additionally, the use of sedation or anaesthesia, both of which have risks and potential side effects, may be reduced thanks to telemedicine. In conclusion, telemedicine is a dynamic field of development in veterinary practise with the potential to enhance patient access, boost productivity, and enhance animal welfare. The difficulties posed by telemedicine, such as preserving client connections, guaranteeing the calibre of care provided, and negotiating legal and regulatory obstacles, must be addressed, nevertheless. Veterinarians may give their patients with high-quality care regardless of their location or level of mobility by embracing the possibilities offered by telemedicine and overcoming these difficulties. Conclusion The field of veterinary medicine known as telemedicine is one that is expanding quickly and has the potential to revolutionise the provision of veterinary care. Telemedicine in veterinary practise has advantages including better access to care and increased effectiveness. Telemedicine does present certain difficulties, though, like as preserving client relationships and guaranteeing the calibre of care provided. Regardless of a patient’s location or level of mobility, veterinarians can provide them with highquality care by addressing these issues and seizing the opportunities offered by telemedicine.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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