"AI can free vets from administration and improve quality of care"

In the March 2025 issue of the Swedish Veterinary Journal, we published a debate article on how AI can support veterinarians in their daily work. See the article below:

AI can free vets from administration and improve quality of care

Veterinarians spend much of their working day on administration, time that could be spent on animal care. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change this by automating notetaking and providing quick access to the latest research. As co-founder of the AI platform Vetz, I discuss how to build trust in the technology and address the challenges of AI adoption.

Administration: An invisible time thief in veterinary care

The workday of veterinarians is characterized by high demands for accuracy and extensive documentation. According to VCA Hospitals and AHDI, veterinarians spend an average of two hours or more daily writing medical notes from patient visits. This steals valuable time from caring for the animals and meeting with pet owners.

The problem is not unique to veterinary care. In human healthcare, similar challenges have been addressed by using AI technology to automate repetitive tasks and support decision-making. However, veterinary care has not progressed as far, largely due to the relative newness of the technology and the concerns surrounding its use.

How AI can support veterinarians

AI offers an opportunity to reduce the burden of administration while improving the quality of care. At Vetz, an AI-powered work platform developed specifically for veterinary clinics, we have focused on two key areas:

1. Self-writing notes: Vetz has developed a self-writing note solution that can save you up to two hours a day on admin work.


Here's how it works: you record the patient encounter, the AI transcribes and analyzes the recording, and the medical record notes are then automatically created based on your medical record template. You can then easily check that everything is correct and export it directly to your PMS.

This saves time and ensures that documentation is consistent and accurate. A veterinarian who previously had to spend hours writing notes can now focus on care and advice.

2. Quick access to research: With an AI-powered search function, veterinarians can quickly find relevant research and scientific papers to support their decisions. Instead of spending time searching manually, they can instantly retrieve information specific to the diagnosis or question at hand.

Three AI solutions from human care that can inspire

Human healthcare has shown that AI can improve both efficiency and patient safety. Here are three examples that can also be applied in veterinary care:

1. AI-powered imaging: In human healthcare, AI is used to analyze X-ray images and detect diseases with high accuracy. Similar solutions can help veterinarians identify injuries or diseases in animals more quickly.

2. Predictive analytics: AI is used to anticipate complications and provide recommendations for preventive care. For veterinarians, this could mean identifying risk factors in animals before problems occur.

3. Triage systems for prioritization : Emergency departments in human healthcare use AI to prioritize patients based on their condition. In a veterinary clinic, this can ensure that acutely ill animals receive the fastest possible care.

Building trust and managing challenges

Despite its potential, AI is met with some skepticism from many veterinarians. Common concerns include the complexity of the technology, data protection and the fear that AI will replace human expertise. To address this, we need to:

- Increase transparency: Veterinarians need to understand how AI systems work and feel confident that they are reliable. Explainable AI, where algorithm decisions can be tracked and accounted for, is crucial.

- Offer support and training: Providing training on the practical uses of AI can reduce uncertainty.

- Ensuring data protection: AI solutions must comply with laws such as the GDPR and ensure that patient data is handled securely. 

- Dare to make mistakes: Implementing AI means navigating new territory. Veterinarians and clinicians need to feel that it is acceptable to make mistakes during the process, as long as lessons are learned and improvements are made. An open approach to testing, evaluating and adjusting is key to long-term success.

A call for the future

AI is not a substitute for veterinary expertise but a tool that can enhance it. Using AI can free up time for direct care while improving the quality of decision-making.

As co-founder of Vetz, I see every day how AI can help make veterinarians' work easier. But there needs to be a shared commitment from the industry to make the technology accessible, understandable and usable for all clinics.

Let's work together for a future where veterinarians can focus on what really matters - giving animals the best possible care.

Author presentation

Jack Lundstedt Titi, co-founder of Vetz (www.vetz.ai), an AI-powered workspace for veterinarians that automates notetaking and offers quick access to the latest research for veterinary clinics. 

Postal address: Hälsingegatan 9A, 113 23 Stockholm. 

Email address: jack@vetz.ai 

References

1. VCA Hospitals. Healthcare Documentation Certification Launches for Veterinary Professionals. Press release, 2023. Available at: https://vcahospitals.com/press-center/vca-news/healthcare-documentation-certification-launches-for-veterinary-professionals (Retrieved: 3/12 2024).
2. European Commission. Ethical guidelines for trustworthy AI. 2023.
3. Rajpurkar, P., et al. AI in medical diagnostics: Transforming healthcare systems. Nature Medicine. 2022;28(5):99-108.
4. James, W., et al. Building trust in AI: The role of transparency. AI & Society. 2023;38(1):55-67.

Keywords: AI in veterinary care, AI record keeping, Vetz AI, self-writing notes, AI and quality of care, digitization veterinary, admin savings, AI decision support, veterinary debate AI, Swedish Veterinary Journal