Findings from a recent BSAVA survey (The BSAVA Market Research was conducted online in November/December 2020, with responses from 1001 veterinary professionals) have helped shape a novel session on lessons from lockdown at BSAVA Virtual Congress 25 – 27 March 2021.
With lockdowns and social distancing unavoidably leading to changes in the way practices operate, the recent survey of BSAVA members has shown clouds may have silver linings. Responses revealed the way technology is being used may lead to long term beneficial changes to practice consultation processes.
The survey results have refined the content for BSAVA Virtual Congress topic “Lessons from Lockdown: Telemedicine is here to stay”, which forms part of the current topics stream on Saturday 27 March. Brian Faulkner will take a look at maintaining relationships and changing dynamics with remote consults, communication challenges and opportunities. Matt Flann will follow with “A practical perspective – how we have used it, what have we learned?”
75 percent of respondents to the BSAVA survey question on how the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected them feel changes have been, or may be, positive and will result in long term changes for the practice. Such changes were most commonly associated with the respondent explaining how the pandemic had accelerated the use of technology, increasing efficiencies and customer service.
More than 25 percent of respondents felt the use of technology for triage and or consultations had either improved efficiency or the service offered to clients. More than 10 percent said the pandemic had led to practices taking actions which streamlined client processes such as taking payments and booking appointments online or by phone.
Another survey published by CM Research Ltd (Vet Survey 2020 COVID-19 Global Pandemic impact on the veterinary market published by Cm Research Ltd January 22 2021) on the global pandemic impact on the veterinary market in January this year has also shown email and phone calls have become more important when communicating with clients and with manufacturers, and that digital channels are taking over from paper communications.
BSAVA President Professor 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 healthcare sector, we can continue to deliver our vital services, possibly to an even more efficient and effective standard, despite the restrictions.
“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.”
Idexx, one of the headline sponsors at Congress this year, offers a range of services designed to help practices deliver a more efficient customer service.
“As a leader in pet healthcare innovation we are delighted to be a headline sponsor for BSAVA Virtual Congress,” said Flora Ellis Marketing Manager for Idexx UK and Ireland. “Our diagnostic and information technology-based products and services enhance veterinarians’ ability to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency, and build more economically successful practices. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our virtual stand in the Congress exhibition hall, where they can learn more about our real-time diagnostics, pet-side diagnostic instruments, diagnostic results and service.”
BSAVA Virtual Congress 2021 will provide an innovative and flexible format for the delivery of 130 hours+ of CPD, with live and on-demand content being available to delegates on the platform for 60 days, and then via the BSAVA Library. Four simultaneous live streams will provide 80+ live sessions covering 24 module topics, together with a library of 100 on-demand webinars. You can view the programme online.
Prices for BSAVA Virtual Congress start at just £99 +VAT for members. To register now visit the website.
For information on how to become a BSAVA member visit BSAVA’s website.
