Steps to Implement Telemedicine Services in Your Practice

Source: AVMA.org

When implemented properly, telemedicine may improve patient triage and clinical outcomes, and benefit patients, animal owners and the veterinary practice. From improving after-hours or hospice care, to making it easier for busy clients to arrange routine checkups and follow-up care for pets, telemedicine offers opportunities to increase access to and utilization of veterinary care – improving the quality of care for patients.

Follow these steps to implement telemedicine successfully in your practice:

We have received a flurry of inquiries regarding Governor Wolf’s executive order that expands the delivery of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because veterinary medicine is considered essential and life sustaining, and falls under the “Medicine” category, this has raised some issues pertaining to veterinary telehealth.

First of all, it is important to consider the underlying purpose of the Governor’s action. Of utmost importance is the mitigation of human-to-human contact as we attempt to slow down the transmission of the virus and to conserve supplies. That is why medical professionals, human and veterinary, are being directed to only provide life sustaining services, or those that would treat illness as well as prevent suffering. Mental and behavioral health service delivery has suffered as a result. The Governor’s order allows these services to continue without face-to-face contact and puts influence on the private medical insurance industry to expand coverage.

Although no Pennsylvania law expressly prohibits the practice of telemedicine, keep in mind that our Pennsylvania Board of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Practice Act clearly states that a VCPR (Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship) is required in order to diagnose, treat and deliver medical services. The necessity of physical exam and an established relationship cannot be overstated. However, we must temper this with human public health and safety, and mitigate interaction with clients.

Therefore, looking at the underlying intent of this executive order, use your best professional judgement when assessing problems that are non-emergencies that can be addressed through telehealth. For companion animal practitioners, some things you may want to consider providing would be the following:

For food animal veterinarians, the FDA has provided a statement allowing for temporary non-enforcement of certain requirements of the VCPR to allow for more use of telemedicine. This allows veterinarians to prescribe drugs in an extra-label manner or authorize the use of VFD drugs without direct examination of or making visits to their patients, which will limit human-to-human interaction and potential spread of COVID-19 in the community. For the complete article, click here .

Please keep in mind, this is not an opportunity to stretch the practice act or an opening for out-of-state veterinarians to take advantage of this temporary change. According to the PA Media website, those not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Pennsylvania would still need to meet certain professional requirements and to formally petition the State Board of Veterinary Medicine for a waiver. For more information, click here .

Thank you for your understanding and sensitivity during these fraught times.

Ask.Vet is a Teletraige service that veterinary practices use for all roll over and after hours coverage (coverage with closures: Holidays, weekends, emergency situations). We employ over 150 US licensed Veterinarians with a minimum of 12 years of experience to provide 24/7 veterinary guidance and support to pet owners. We extend your practice into the living rooms of your clients. We have found that clinics that use our service see a higher level of satisfaction among pet owners and have higher loyalty and retention rates too. Clients love being able to chat with a veterinarian at their time of need. We also help determine if a pet owner needs emergency services immediately or we help them with guidance until they can be seen by their veterinarian.

BabelVet is a telehealth and remote patient monitoring platform that combines the benefits of comprehensive asynchronous messaging with the ability to view client shared pet health metrics. There are three features that set our telehealth platform apart:

BabelBark is a free app for your clients that connects them to you via BabelVet. Each work together to provide real time updates on a pet’s health and communication tools to make staying connected easier.

Social distancing doesn’t need to mean revenue distancing for veterinarians. GuardianVets offers a digital communication platform that enables veterinary practices to sustain their revenue stream while preserving the veterinary-pet-client-relationship.

We can help you continue your operations, even in a quarantine.

PetDesk's easy-to-use communication software combines powerful features -

Reminders and Confirmations, Appointment Requests and streamlined telemedicine

tools like Two-Way Messaging and, coming soon, Video Chat with an industry leading

support team. Our support team provides on-going staff training and guidance on

communication best practices to help our customers get the most out of the PetDesk

platform.

Plus, our 5-star rated Mobile Health App lets your clients connect with you when and

where they want - request appointments, refill prescriptions, access health records and,

soon a Video Chat - all without a phone call.

PetDesk is a breeze to set up, has customized onboarding and offers a customizable

Loyalty Program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the landscape of veterinary medicine overnight, and telemedicine has become an imperative in providing care.

VetNOW is a virtual care platform that provides veterinary telehealth services, enabling veterinarians to treat their patients at home or on-farm, and also connect veterinary specialists, virtually and securely from any web-enabled device through real-time video or chat, or through asynchronous text, video, or photos.

During this time of crisis, VetNOW will allow veterinary clinics to continue treating their patients, providing follow-up appointments, emergency triage, even specialty consultations while their facility is closed without the patient or their owner leaving their home.

VetNOW allows you to continue providing quality care to your patients without any risk of exposure to your front-line, while also mitigating the fears of clients concerning travel and public gatherings.

For more information or to request a demo, visit our website, email us at [email protected] or call 412.346.6650.

whiskerDocs is the largest provider of veterinary telehealth services in North America, with nearly 4 million pets covered through our client partners. Our team of licensed veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians is available 24 hours a day via phone, chat, email, and mobile messaging. To learn more, visit our website.

We've handled over 100,000 interactions, all in real time with very little waiting, so that pets can get the help they need as fast a possible.

whiskerDocs' calls and chats are answered within 45 seconds, with some consideration for increased volumes due to COVID-19. Our expert veterinary team can help your clients with everything ranging from toxins and ingestions, signs of illness, behavior and more, and can also provide appropriate telemedicine services, including video consult, if no clinic is available locally (when warranted).

For more information on how we can help (dogs and cats only), contact Nicole Rogers, VP of Operations, at [email protected].

Are you looking for a state-of-the-art animal hospital where you can practice medicine and surgery in a fun and inviting atmosphere with an amazing team of individuals who support each other like family? Then look no further! Good Hope Animal Hospital, located in Mechanicsburg, PA, is looking for a full-time or part-time Associate Veterinarian to join our growing 7-doctor small animal practice. We are seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, compassionate doctor who thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands the importance of our bonds with clients and patients to join our dedicated staff in our recently expanded and renovated 7000 sq. foot facility. Our hospital treats dogs, cats, and a variety of pocket pets. Responsibilities include seeing appointments and performing comprehensive physical exams/wellness visits, diagnosing and treating cases, client education, and establishing lasting relationships with our patients and clients. Generous employee benefits provided. For more information or to submit your resume, please contact Dr. Robert Heidecker at  [email protected] .

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One that offers more work/life balance? We want to hear from you! Our practices in Edinboro, Butler, State College, Williamsport, Chambersburg and York, PA are seeking dedicated Veterinarians to join our team. At National Veterinary Associates we guarantee a healthy, collaborative environment with opportunities for growth. Emergency and Exotic positions available. We're offering sign-on bonus, retention bonus, relocation assistance as well as student loan assistance. Excellent Mentorship. To learn more email me directly at  [email protected]  or visit our  website .

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Fantastic opportunity at Animal Clinic at Thorndale. Seeking full or part-time veterinarian. Privately owned practice focused on patient and client care and staff teamwork, rather than “production”. Communication, compassion, learning, sharing, and fun are top priorities. Willing and caring client base. 5 talented CVTs so you practice at the highest level. AAHA accredited. $90,000 to $140,000/year. Flexible scheduling, vacation and personal time, CE allowance, liability insurance, PA and DEA license, PVMA and AVMA dues, health insurance and/or medical expenses reimbursements, SIMPLE retirement, uniform allowance. Mentoring for less experienced. In beautiful Chester County less than 1 hour to Philadelphia. Resume to [email protected].

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