This is the seventh in my series on “telemedicine is coming to the vets.,” originally posted on the VetPartners.org website. My VetPartners colleagues, Caitlin DeWilde, DVM, and Eric Garcia, led me to oncologist Dr. Sue Ettinger, DVM, and, through her, I learned about a very different twist on telemedicine.
Strictly speaking “telemedicine” is a term used to refer to remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. The term “telehealth” is reserved for the distribution of information and advice offered remotely, also by means of telecommunications technology.
Dr. Sue Ettinger refers to FiduVet as a service she calls “teleconsulting” that offers information and consultation by veterinary specialists to general practicing veterinarians – by means of telecommunications technology.
As a veterinary oncologist, Dr.Sue was used to being called upon for information and advice offering cancer awareness and direction on next steps. Unfortunately, her contacts were limited to veterinarians that she knew, and she wanted to be available to any general practice who needed her expertise. In advising veterinarians, she has become aware of how difficult it is for clients to see a specialist who may be a two-hour trip away. Even then, many times clients have to wait three-four weeks to get in to see the specialist. The clients’ home veterinarians are eager to provide information to their clients while these clients have to wait.
Fortunately, when Sue met up with colleagues Dr.Caitlin DeWilde and Eric Garcia at veterinary conferences, they began to think about how to make specialists available to general practitioners, Dr. Caitlin, leading a small animal veterinary practice in St. Louis, was well aware of how important it was to give clients baseline information of what to do, especially when they have to wait to see a specialist. Since she’s always loved to use technology to provide better experiences for her clients and patients, she began thinking about how to use technology to connect Dr. Sue – and other specialists – with general practice veterinarians. Eric, as a digital strategist,has devoted his career to helping veterinary practices adapt all types of technology to their practices to improve patient outcomes. He was eager to join Dr, Sue and Dr. Caitlin. Before long, the trio connected with another VetPartners member, Mary Gardner, DVM, who had the expertise to build the proprietary software needed for this service.
FiduVet is the result of what brilliant minds can do when they have a vision. Over a couple of years, they brainstormed and launched their vet-to-specialist platform earlier this year – in time to help those unable to travel because of the Covid pandemic. Currently, FiduVet has available three dermatology specialists, three specialists in internal medicine, and three consultants in oncology. More specialties will be added in time.
This collaboration is a win-win for all concerned. The general practice veterinarians are relieved to have someone to turn to, the clients find access to specialists convenient and accessible, and the specialists are eager to help and appreciate the extra work, often at flexible hours from home.
A quality process has been developed. It begins with the general veterinarian uploading the patient’s medical records, which a case coordinator reviews before connecting the veterinarian with the appropriate specialist. The specialist has the ability to review the case and consult through a phone or video connection with the generalist vet and provide written recommendations (which can be saved in the practice’s management software) to share with clients.
Two clients provided glowing testimonials. Dr. R. Allen wrote:
“It is great to have access to more specialist opinions especially when there are multiple treatment options. Dr. Sue’s incredibly kind and helpful in guiding testing, treatment, and my nerves. Sometimes as a pet owner and a practitioner, we need to talk about scenarios and outcomes. It was important for me to figure out what was right for me and what was right for my pet.”
Dr. M. Wixsom wrote:
“…it was reassuring to my clients and myself, that there was a qualified specialist looking over the cases. It was well worth the consult!”
Technology is surely providing some unique services. FiduVet is one of them.
