Findings reveal important insight into advancement of technology.
The BSAVA will be using the findings from a recent survey to inform content for its Virtual Congress, taking place from 25 – 27 March 2021.
The BSAVA survey asked members how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them and 75 per cent of respondents said they feel that changes have been positive and will affect the future of practice.
Most commonly, respondents explained how the pandemic had accelerated the use of technology, leading to increased efficiency and customer service.
These results have been used to inform the topic Lessons from Lockdown: Telemedicine is here to stay, hosted by Brian Faulkner. This session will explore changing relationships and dynamics in practice, as well as communication challenges and opportunities.
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.”
BSAVA Virtual Congress takes place from 25 – 27 March 2021. To register now please visit the BSAVA website.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
