A new white paper is helping practice owners, managers, and software providers understand the rising role of technology in operational efficiency and patient care. The paper, Companion Animal Veterinary Software: Part I, Navigating Practice Challenges with Support of Technology and AI, was authored by Jon Ayers, Jeff Dixon, Dr. Adam Little, and Adam Wysocki, with contributions from Andrew Luna.
While artificial intelligence and practice information management systems are changing the look and feel of veterinary care, the real challenge may not be the technology itself, but making the systems work together. This white paper examines how integration, data interoperability, and strategic selection of PIMS are critical to overcoming industry pressures and meeting evolving client expectations, including access to care.
“The future of the PIMS is not a hub-and-spoke model; it is a network of applications with AI coordinating between them,” the authors stated. “The most valuable node is still the PIMS and their systems of record, which is why these platforms have a duty to the profession and a commercial imperative to move [toward greater integration].”
Key themes for veterinary practices include:
- Integration: Value-adds like AI scribes, schedulers, and diagnostic apps deliver real value only when they integrate across PIMS platforms. Otherwise, they add to the work burden and may increase errors.
- Ecosystem strategy: Practices shopping for a new PIMS should consider how platforms fit together in the broader landscape, including whether they offer an open application programming interface (API), which allows them to integrate seamlessly with other tools.
- PIMS enhancement: Instead of replacing a restrictive PIMS, practices can add third-party integration platforms.
- AI in action: AI-assisted radiology shows how technology is expanding care, driving radiology services, and increasing demand for specialists.
- Client AI trends: At least 15% of pet owners use AI for pet health information, highlighting communication gaps and posing an opportunity for greater engagement.
By approaching technology as part of a coordinated strategy rather than an isolated set of tools or features, the authors suggest that clinics can experience greater long-term efficiency, adaptability, and client satisfaction. The second part of the report, expected later this year, will explore ecosystem strategy, software selection, and interoperability for companion animal practices.
The complete paper can be found at bit.ly/4c6pTKb.