In the latest BEVApod published on 17 March David chats to Lucy Grieve and Huw Griffiths about telemedicine and the role it plays in equine practice.
During the discussion they look at the benefits of WhatsApp and how ambulatory vets use the platform.
"I am the biggest fan of WhatsApp ever I think. I utilise the audio recordings all the time... I record messages to clients and colleagues all the time... I prefer it to emails and texts..." - Lucy Grieve
They also discussed the ability for clients to send videos and pictures.
"the speed and interaction of it is fantastic. And like anything in life when it is used well it's fantastic. But you're still going to have the same, whatever percentage of, clients that will take advantage of that. But they are going to be taking advantage of parts of your practice policy in every way so I don't think it's anything different, they were the ones phoning every 5 minutes now they are sending a video." - Huw Griffiths
They then looked at the difference between small animal and equine practice.
"I find myself spending an hour, and hour and a half with a client on a consult. That is a very different relationship you are building. And for better or worse you have a more intimate relationship with them. This isn't going to suit everyone, we need to let vets making a judgement call." - Lucy Grieve
And as an ending point Huw finished it nicely
"It can be overwhelming, things come at you in so many different ways than they used to and I think it's important that as Lucy was saying we can all do it the way that suits us but I think we should all have a cut off point." - Huw Griffiths
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