Starting a Mobile Veterinary Practice in Germany: Practice Location, Medications in the Car, and Medical Records on the Go

A mobile practice brings the veterinarian to the animal—at the pet owner’s home, in the barn, or on the farm. This saves the pet owner a trip and is more convenient for many patients, but it places specific demands on how the practice is organized. Here, we’ll go over what distinguishes a mobile practice from a brick-and-mortar one and how record-keeping can work when the workplace is the car.

Internship Site and Appointments Outside the Internship

One example is the professional code of the Bremen Veterinary Association, published in the state’s official gazette in 2016. According to Section 12 of that code, the practice of veterinary medicine in one’s own practice is tied to establishing a practice at a specific location with the necessary premises, equipment, and staff, and the location and date of establishment must be reported to the association. According to § 13, consultations may not be held outside the practice location or at a registered secondary practice, and an established veterinarian shall practice upon request, except in emergencies.

The professional regulations are determined by each state’s veterinary board. Therefore, check the requirements in the state where you plan to establish your practice, and feel free to contact the board before deciding on your business structure.

Medications in the Car

According to Section 8 of the Regulation on Veterinarians’ In-House Pharmacies (Tierärztliche Hausapothekenverordnung, TÄHAV), medications and veterinary products may only be transported in containers that are closed on all sides, protect against factors such as light, temperature, and weather, and are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Medicines purchased from manufacturers, wholesalers, or pharmacies must be transported in their original packaging; however, packaging intended for dispensing may be carried to be handed directly to the animal owner. According to the same section, the veterinarian may only carry a quantity corresponding to the regular daily requirement.

What Applies to All New Internships

A mobile veterinary practice has the same basic requirements as a brick-and-mortar practice with regard to licensure, membership in the Veterinary Chamber, and fees under the German fee schedule for veterinarians. If you have a home pharmacy, you must report it to the authorities before you begin.

Practical Approach

The car and equipment are the biggest investment, but how you plan your day determines how many visits you can fit in. Scheduling appointments and planning your route go hand in hand, since the travel time between visits dictates your schedule. Also, decide early on where and when you’ll write your notes. If you wait until the evening to take notes, gaps can easily creep in, and after a day with many visits, you won’t remember all the details.

Bookkeeping with Vetz on the Go

Vetz is available as an app for iPhone and Android, and you can also log in via your web browser without installing anything. During the visit, Vetz listens in on your conversation with the pet owner, and within seconds of the call ending, you’ll have a structured draft of the medical record to review. You can review and sign the record before moving on to your next visit, so that the medical record is complete by the end of the day.

Vetz also works for video and phone consultations, which is ideal for a mobile practice that monitors patients remotely. No special equipment is required other than a cell phone or tablet with a microphone. More information about this approach is available on the page about AI-powered medical record-keeping.

Discharge instructions and billing on-site

Using the same note, Vetz can generate personalized discharge instructions that the pet owner can take home right away. Vetz also suggests what should be billed based on the contents of the medical record, which reduces the risk of anything done during the visit being overlooked when the invoice is prepared. Learn more on the pages about discharge instructions and billing for veterinary clinics.

Data Protection When Medical Records Are Stored on a Phone

When medical records are entered on a mobile device, pet owners’ information travels with you. The article on AI and GDPR for veterinarians outlines what practices should consider, and more information about Vetz’s security measures is available on the security page. Ask your provider where the data is stored and how long it is retained, and check how the phone is protected in case it is lost.

Learn more about Vetz

Would you like to see how record-keeping works in a mobile practice? Book a demo and we'll show you Vetz in the app, or try Vetz for free for 14 days without providing your credit card information.