Impact of Telemedicine on the Traditional Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship

Telemedicine is quickly becoming an integral tool in veterinary medicine and its impact on patient care and the traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship has yet to be evaluated. A multi-level survey was sent to pet owners participating in a popular telemedicine website over a 5-month period. A total of 398 survey responses were obtained. Respondents were most likely to identify themselves as female and live in an urban or suburban area. The majority (76.2%) had an existing traditional care veterinarian, and of these, 91.9% would use alternative methods of communication if provided. The remainder (23.8%) of owners did not have a traditional care veterinarian and requested referral to one. Most consultations (60.0%) resulted in recommendation to follow up with a traditional care veterinarian, and 68.8% of owners did so. During follow-up owners felt better informed (89.3%) and better able to communicate (86.8%) with their traditional care veterinarian. Traditional care veterinarians agreed with the telemedicine service recommendation in 82.4% of cases. The most common reason for owners not following up with a traditional care veterinarian was financial limitation. Addition of telemedicine to the traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship may be beneficial and positively viewed by owners.