Artificial intelligence (AI) has authentically changed my life.
I’m not exaggerating.
And if it can do that for a seasoned veterinarian/mentor/CEO/speaker/mom like me, it can surely transform how today’s early career vets practice medicine and, ideally, achieve the work-life balance that’s been eluding my generation since graduation.
Here’s my why and how of incorporating AI technology for new grad veterinarians.
Why you need AI-powered tools
Whether you already use AI tools to help you get through the day or you’re tech-skeptical, recognizing AI’s far-reaching benefits is key to harnessing its full potential—and yours! Potential AI benefits for new veterinarians include:
- Improving efficiency — Multitasking and automating routine tasks, such as SOAP notes and client communications, gives you more time to see appointments, practice your skills, and pursue additional training or support—such as mentorship with Ready, Vet, Go!
- Relieving stress and pressure — When you’re not pressed for time, you can concentrate on your task without worry, frustration, or other negative burnout-inducing emotions.
- Increasing accuracy — AI tools aren’t perfect, but they can help ensure you catch every detail of your exam findings or a client conversation rather than relying on memory.
These AI benefits work synergistically to create real-life advantages, such as:
- Deeper conversations — Offloading certain tasks creates more time for focused discussion, education, and relationship-building with your mentor, client, or colleagues.
- Accelerated learning — Minimizing administrative tasks allows you more time to study, observe, practice, and hone your skills, resulting in greater confidence and faster independence in the clinic.
- Greater job satisfaction — When you have a sense of control and order in your day, you will stay focused and present, deliver the best possible care, and feel a greater sense of pride and satisfaction in your work.
Incorporating AI tools for better time management
AI applications in veterinary medicine are increasing every day, and knowing where to start can be difficult. As a new veterinarian, maximizing your time in the exam room and focusing on the patient and client is key, so I suggest finding an AI-powered note-taker to automate your charting. Here’s how I dipped my toe and found myself sailing toward greater efficiency.
Sign up for a free trial
Most note-taking apps offer free trials, allowing you to test drive the features in real time. Find an app you like and commit to using it every day. Track your daily appointment numbers and the time you spend reviewing and completing your SOAP notes.
Work smarter, not harder
When you suddenly find yourself with “extra” time, use it well. This includes:
- Practicing good communication skills — When you are not preoccupied with notes, you can be present, actively listen, and communicate more effectively with your client. While I consider myself a strong communicator, AI-powered notation helped me have deeper conversations with pet parents.
- Strengthening client connections — I advocate for a “narrate as you go” approach to help demonstrate value to pet owners. The note-taking app requires you to voice your physical exam findings out loud in order to create notes, which helps you further connect with clients. You can use extra time to dive into deeper detail and answer any questions the client may have.
- Honing your physical exam — Hands-free note-taking means more hands-on time with patients. Focus on performing a comprehensive yet efficient nose-to-tail exam and finding a routine that works for you.
- Managing client communications — Downtime between appointments? Use AI to help you manage time outside the exam room by composing client emails, texts, or other communications, or recording and transcribing callback notes.
- Practicing self-care — You don’t have to be productive every second of every day. Take some time to pause, reflect, and recharge. And don’t forget to go home on time!
Run the numbers
When your free trial is over, review key performance indicators (KPIs), such as your average appointments per day, invoice per visit, and less quantifiable factors, such as how often you left work on time or how much more time you spent with your mentor. These calculations and observations help ensure that AI is enhancing your productivity and help you fine-tune how you use the software.
How to ask your employer to invest in AI tools
When I realized how AI could revolutionize my efficiency, my next goal was to ensure I never worked without it. But I also knew that practice leadership would need more than my rave reviews to agree to foot the bill. Similar to requesting new equipment, I needed a proposal that outlined how an AI note-taker could benefit not only me but also the hospital.
Your proposal doesn’t need to be complex, but it needs to show the purchase’s clear advantages. Ensure you include:
- User demonstration — Provide a short hands-on demo so that your manager or practice owner can see the tool in action during an appointment or client conversation. This simple step can help you bridge the generational gap and help older veterinarians understand AI’s value and role in the clinic.
- Upfront and recurring costs — This includes initial purchase price and subscription costs. Consider group pricing for multi-user subscriptions.
- Anticipated profit — Compare your KPIs to pre-AI numbers to calculate and illustrate anticipated gains, such as higher revenue and time for additional appointments or procedures per day.
- Non-monetary benefits — This should include efficiency, satisfaction, and professional growth (e.g., increased confidence, competence, and independence)
For more information on creating a successful proposal for any in-clinic purchase, check out my previous blog post, What’s Involved In Purchasing a New Piece of Equipment?
AI-powered tools are simplifying the process of streamlining daily tasks and staying focused, ensuring that the most valuable and rewarding aspects of veterinary medicine—the interactions between veterinarians, clients, and patients—aren’t overshadowed by time-consuming administrative tasks. As a new veterinarian, maximizing this precious exam room time doesn’t merely improve your efficiency, satisfaction, and success, but also helps you become a stronger clinician.
Ready, Vet, Go Veterinary Mentorship is an innovative online program and community that helps new and early career veterinarians build confidence, gain independence, and experience greater joy. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about what we offer or get in touch with our team.