Veterinary telemedicine practicability: Analyzing Russian pet owners' feedback

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Health Technology
• Pet Owner Studies

Background:

• Veterinary telemedicine is experiencing significant growth, with a projected 17% increase.
• Understanding pet owner perspectives is crucial for the successful integration of new veterinary services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze pet owner attitudes towards veterinary telemedicine.
• To assess the feasibility and socioeconomic impacts of implementing telemedicine for pets.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption of remote veterinary care.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 500 population-representative respondents (pet owners) aged 18-68.
• Data collection involved in-person and remote interactions at a veterinary hospital.
• A sample size of 385 was determined using the Q test for study feasibility.

Main Results:

• 79.2% of participants expressed a positive view of telemedicine.
• However, 20% preferred in-person vet appointments over telemedicine.
• Willingness to pay varied, with 53.8% open to paying under $14, while 17.8% rejected the service. Younger demographics (18-28) were more likely to pay.

Conclusions:

• Pet owners are generally receptive to veterinary telemedicine, yet its utilization is suboptimal.
• The study provides insights for optimizing telemedicine services to improve client and patient satisfaction.
• Future research should explore factors affecting telemedicine adoption in veterinary care.