Pet Owners' Perspectives on Virtual Veterinary Consultations
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- May 1
- 1 min read
A recent study explored pet owners' experiences and attitudes toward virtual veterinary consultations, examining their use of technology in pet care. The study surveyed 714 pet owners to understand their utilization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their views on virtual veterinary consultations.
The research found that while most pet owners (85.6%) had used the telephone for veterinary care, only a small percentage (5.2%) had utilized live videoconferencing. Pet owners indicated a strong preference for face-to-face interactions with veterinarians, ranking them as the most preferred method, followed by telephone and then live videoconferencing.
The study also revealed that pet owners expressed less confidence in communicating effectively during virtual consultations, particularly in building rapport with the veterinarian.
When evaluating pet owners' willingness to recommend virtual consultations, the Net Promoter Score was neutral (-1.43), indicating divided opinions. Approximately 33.3% of participants were likely to recommend virtual consultations, while 34.8% were not. Factors such as the pet owner's age and comfort level with videoconferencing were found to be positively associated with their likelihood to recommend virtual consultations.
Despite the preference for traditional, in-person consultations, the study concluded that many pet owners are open to considering virtual consultations. The researchers emphasized the importance of further investigating pet owners' preferences and concerns regarding virtual care, especially concerning communication.
The study highlights the growing importance of virtual veterinary care, driven by technological advancements and increasing pet owner demand for convenient, real-time access to veterinary services. Understanding pet owner perspectives is crucial for veterinary professionals as they navigate this evolving landscape and seek to provide optimal care and client satisfaction.
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