Adopting new technology can improve work-life balance and employee morale and retention, according to Instinct Science’s State of Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Care Report.
More than half (57%) of the 545 emergency and specialty veterinary professionals surveyed reported a connection between new technology and a better work-life balance.
According to Instinct Science, the results demonstrated that streamlined workflows and enhanced productivity can improve a practice team’s happiness. Almost two-thirds of the respondents said integrating digital treatment sheets was the most helpful in improving productivity, while 54% cited cloud-based PIMS/EMR as valuable in improving daily tasks and efficiency.
Other key findings regarding emergency and specialty veterinary care included:
- Fewer patients:59% of practices reported their volume was the same or lower than last year.
- Less wait time:The percentage of patients waiting less than 15 minutes more than doubled from last year, and the percentage waiting more than two hours dropped from 27% to 16%.
- Fewer staffing issues: Reported staffing shortages were down to 78% in 2024, compared with 86% in 2023.
- Better morale and job satisfaction: 54% of ER and specialty staff reported high or very high morale, up from 34% last year. Veterinary professionals at practices that promoted wellness programs and open communication were likely to have high morale.
- Turnover trouble: 79% of practices reported difficulty retaining veterinary technicians.
- Compensation issues: 35% of respondents reported difficulties related to pay, an increase from 27% in 2023. Only 14% of practices reported plans to raise salaries.
- More financial pressure: 66% of practices reported financial strain related to the rising cost of equipment, supplies and overhead.
Instinct Science provides technology to veterinary teaching hospitals, specialty and emergency centers, and general practices to help streamline and enhance patient care.
The second annual report is available at bit.ly/3NdWpfV.