The Covid pandemic spurred the rapid adoption of digital client engagement solutions throughout the veterinary industry. Digitization helps veterinarians to automate tasks and improve productivity.
Unfortunately, for many vets, embracing new technologies seems like a “something gained, something lost” scenario. Are digital practice management solutions at odds with the sense of personal connection that means so much in veterinary care?
At ER Express, we believe that well-managed digital tools can actually enhance the personal touch, rather than detract from it.
Veterinary practice management software (VPMS) is used to improve efficiency and record-keeping for tasks like scheduling appointments and managing patient records. VPMS can even be used for back-office work like bookkeeping and accounting.
VPMS also provides platforms that automate certain communications with patients. These highly-customizable tools lead to more reliable and efficient appointment procedures but don’t replace any of the valuable face-to-face time that clients value.
In the sections below, we’ll discuss five benefits of using VPMS, highlighting advantages that reduce a vet staff’s workload while providing clients with a more pleasant appointment process.
1: Offload Time-Consuming Administrative Tasks
Veterinary practice management software may include appointment automation features such as:
These tools simplify and automate tasks for your staff, reducing the time spent fielding phone calls, managing schedules and queues, and manually collecting billing and insurance info for each visit.
Improved efficiency on admin tasks is also a time saver for your clients, providing greater control over the time spent on scheduling, checking in for, and waiting for appointments.
2: More Pre- and Post-Visit Engagement
Automation reduces the need for certain person-to-person interactions. For some pet owners, too much automation can result in an appointment process that may feel impersonal, unenjoyable, or confusing.
However, practice management software doesn’t have to take away from your practice’s personal touch. In fact, you can use digital communication tools to engage with patients in a manner that’s both practical and meaningful.
Engagement features like digital intake forms, two-way texting, and automated appointment time updates help clients feel informed and in control. Furthermore, these tools don’t necessarily replace any person-to-person communication. Rather, they create helpful communication platforms that equip clients and veterinary staff with more efficient options for sharing information.
Veterinarians use digital communication features to exchange messages with pet owners before and after their visits. A client can share and receive helpful info about their pet’s condition and treatment needs, leading to more productive visits and better health outcomes for pets. These tools can be customized to provide an appropriate degree of automation without compromising the personal touch.
3: Nervous Pets Can Spend Less Time in the Veterinary Office
No matter how welcoming and accommodating your reception staff is, the veterinary waiting room is a stressful place for many pets and their owners.
You can improve the waiting room experience with comfy seating and free treats, but the most meaningful improvement you can make is to reduce the amount of time clients spend stuck in the waiting room.
Digital intake, digital queuing, and virtual waiting rooms reduce waiting room time and help patients feel more in control of their appointments. They can quickly check in from their phones and pass their wait time in a location where they feel more comfortable, such as in their car or outside the facility. These tools empower clients, streamline your office’s workflow, and create a more peaceful waiting room.
4: Customize Forms and Paperwork for the Individual Client
Veterinary practice management software systems include features for creating and organizing documents. These tools allow for a more personalized and helpful continuum of care.
Using customizable paperwork features, you can work from templates to tailor forms and info sheets to meet the needs of individual animals and their owners.
5: Real-Time Reports and Analytics
Veterinary practice management software can produce reports and analytics on demand, providing an objective evaluation of key performance metrics. You can review historic trends and anticipate upcoming changes related to productivity, scheduling, and any other aspect of your practice that produces trackable data.
Elevate Your Practice Management with ER Express
At ER Express, we develop innovative digital engagement tools for medical practices. We equip veterinarians with the latest client engagement software that improves service to pets and pet owners without compromising the level of personalization offered in a fully in-office experience.
To learn more, contact our sales team or schedule a product demonstration today.
