AI in vet med

39.2% of Veterinary Professionals Use AI Tools in Their Practice – Digitail and AAHA Survey

Digitail published findings from its industry-wide survey on Artificial Intelligence in veterinary medicine, conducted in collaboration with the American Animal Hospital Association

Digitail, an all-in-one practice management software for veterinary hospitals, published a study, “AI in Veterinary Medicine: The Next Paradigm Shift,” exploring current awareness, perception, utilization, expectations, and concerns around the adoption of AI in veterinary medicine. Conducted in collaboration with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the study collected perspectives from 3,968 veterinary professionals, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers, customer service representatives (CSRs), veterinary students, business executives, and other industry representatives. 

The whitepaper features insights from the survey and a discussion section with the interpretation of the findings and key takeaways, as well as commentary from industry experts, and an exclusive article by Dr. William Tancredi, owner of Old Ridge Veterinary Hospital, and author of the Doc’s FIRE: Facts, Insights, Research, Education blog, with his reflections on the research results. Below are the study highlights.

Adoption and sentiment

  • 39.2% of respondents reported using AI tools or software in their veterinary setting.
  • 69.5% of those respondents who have tried AI tools for professional tasks, report using them daily or weekly. 
  • There is a direct correlation between the use of AI tools and the level of enthusiasm toward this technology.

Current applications and perceived benefits

  • Typical AI applications included imaging and radiology, administrative tasks, and voice-to-text transcription.
  • The most commonly cited benefits of AI integration include improved productivity and time savings, reduced administrative workload, and increased efficiency in diagnosis and treatment.

Concerns and drivers of adoption

  • The most prevalent concern (70.3% of respondents) was the reliability and accuracy of AI systems and data security and privacy (53.9%). 
  • Factors that could inspire AI adoption are the availability of case studies, training, and personal positive experiences, as well as existing integrations of AI within the current software used at the practice.

Future outlook

  • 38.7% of veterinary professionals are interested in incorporating AI tools into their practice in the near future, while 15.5% of respondents expressed a clear opposition to AI.
  • The overwhelming majority of respondents believe that integrating AI into clinic workflows could significantly contribute to revenue growth, employee satisfaction, and client retention, and potentially provide their hospital with a competitive advantage.

“Interestingly, there is a direct correlation between the usage and perception of AI tools. Those who have personally tried this technology are more likely to be optimistic and recognize its value in veterinary medicine. Those who are less familiar with such tools are more likely to be skeptical and less inclined to adopt them either for personal or medical purposes. Notably, the overwhelming majority of those professionals who have tapped into AI, are using these tools in their veterinary setting daily or weekly,”

commented Sebastian Gabor, CEO at Digitail.

“While it is premature to state that AI is ready for universal implementation in veterinary medicine, it’s evident that it currently serves as a viable tool with specific applications. Insights from the survey respondents, along with the feedback from Digitail’s clients using Tails AI, have already allowed us to identify specific areas where this technology demonstrates reliability and positive impact for both staff and pet parents. 

Continuous testing, curiosity, and collaboration between all industry stakeholders will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI in veterinary medicine. The perspectives shared by veterinary professionals in this survey shed light on the path forward, indicating a demand for initiatives aimed at enhancing understanding of AI technologies, providing evidence-based guidance on their application in veterinary medicine, and ensuring their ethical and effective integration,”

Sebastian Gabor concluded.

Download the Whitepaper:

concerns regarding AI in vet med
AI adoption
drivers of AI adoption

About Digitail

Digitail is an all-in-one, cloud-based practice management software with built-in AI capabilities and a native pet parent app. It is designed to maximize productivity and deliver modern experiences to veterinary teams, pet owners, and their companions at every step of the patient journey. Equipped with an AI-powered virtual assistant, Digitail automates routine administrative tasks, cuts down staff’s workload, and lets them focus on what they do best — providing exceptional care. At the same time, the Digitail app puts essential pet care information into the hands of pet parents, improving communication and increasing compliance. For more information, visit https://digitail.com/

About the American Animal Hospital Association

Since 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association has been the only organization to accredit veterinary hospitals throughout the United States and Canada based on standards directly correlated to high-quality medicine and compassionate care. Accreditation in veterinary medicine is voluntary. The AAHA-accredited logo is the best way to know if a practice has been evaluated by a third party. For more information, visit https://www.aaha.org/.