Four years ago, I returned to clinical practice after two decades of non-clinical roles in animal health. The main reason for me was to experience first-hand what has changed for veterinarians in practice. Although some aspects have evolved, there are far more opportunities that still exist.
Consider these similarities between general practices in 2000 and today- including corporately owned.
- Most provide the exact same services as their nearest competitors
- Many have underutilized space and equipment
- There is little distinctiveness in their business models
- Continued use of practice management systems that are long overdue for modernization
Now add this double-edged sword…
- There are more FDA veterinary products now than in 2000 (even Google couldn’t tell me exactly how many)
- Establishing these new products within practices and with veterinarians has become increasingly expensive and challenging due to evolving marketing strategies and distribution challenges.
And for pet owners…
- Lack of connectivity between veterinary practices, specialists and pet owners is resulting in larger gaps in communication, patient care and overall health management
- Absence of national electronic prescribing may be preventing cost savings from generics and contributing to decreased adherence to prescribed medications
- Veterinarians’ knowledge gap may be widening despite their conscious effort to stay informed
We need more disruption in our industry, and it is unlikely to come from major players. As editor of the newsletter, we get to highlight innovative, smaller organizations that are on the edge of discoveries and carving out new paths. I am hopeful that their contributions will lead to practical, affordable solutions that will springboard veterinary practices into the next era of the profession.
Dr. Christine Merle
English 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Chinese