Embracing AI:A new tool in veterinary medicine
by Eric Goldman, President of Vetology AI
Transformational Technology
Eric Goldman, President of Vetology AI, shares his insights on how AI can transform workflows, support diagnostics, and improve patient outcomes in veterinary medicine.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful new assistive tool in veterinary medicine. In the world of imaging, it offers exciting possibilities for new approaches to current workflows that can impact patient outcomes, support the initiation of treatment plans sooner, and, in the best-case scenario, alleviate or support decision fatigue associated with patient care.
While AI's potential is clear, it is important to recognise that its implementation may call for a shift in how veterinarians approach imaging, read radiographs, and initiate their diagnostic pathways. This article explores why AI is important, how to use it effectively, and the collaborative effort needed to integrate this technology into practice.
The gains associated with fast, consistent patient screening results are at the core of its unique value. By analysing images for specific patterns and abnormalities, an AI report can highlight areas of concern and support veterinarians in making confident treatment decisions.
By all means, rely on your expertise in reading radiographs, but why not check your answers when you can? Asking for help is a critical skill in a successful practice. Vetology’s Virtual AI Radiology Report is just that: a support tool, an answer sheet, a guide. It’s one of many tools in your medical toolkit, and it is essential to remember that it was never intended to replace veterinary expertise nor radiologists; it was built to complement both.
In practice, AI tools analyse radiographs by running specialised classifiers tailored to detect specific conditions or abnormalities. For example, when assessing a feline abdomen radiograph, the AI might evaluate features like liver size or the presence of urocystoliths. These observations are presented as screening results, not diagnoses, guiding veterinarians toward further tests or treatments.
The effectiveness of AI depends on the quality of the submitted radiographs. Clear, well-positioned lateral and VD images that focus on the area of concern lead to more accurate reports. This underscores the importance of maintaining high imaging standards in clinical workflows.
As with any new tool, skillset, or appliance, adopting AI in veterinary medicine involves a learning curve, some change, and maybe some practice. AI is young and growing fast. Developing effective tools requires close collaboration between veterinary professionals and AI developers.
Input from veterinarians helps refine AI systems, ensuring they address real-world clinical needs. Academic peer reviews support the integrity of the tool, and clinicians benefit from training, practice, and patience with these tools, understanding their capabilities and limitations.
Vetology sees integrating AI into veterinary workflows as a collective effort. Our collective success depends on thoughtful implementation, high-quality radiographs, and collaboration. By working together, veterinarians, radiologists, and technologists can create tools that reinvent workflows that support patient care and maintain the highest standards of safety. This partnership is critical to ensuring that AI evolves as a trusted and valuable resource for the veterinary community.
Vetology AI is a user-friendly platform designed specifically for veterinary practices, offering two main services: an Automated Virtual AI Radiology Report and a Traditional Board-Certified Teleradiology Service.
This combination provides fast, AI-generated insights to support veterinary practices in timely decision-making while also giving them access to expert radiologists for in-depth guidance when needed.
Step 1 – X-ray system syncing: Vetology will configure a practice's X-ray system to automatically send studies to the Vetology AI platform. The setup takes just 10 minutes, and the practice can start using the system that same day.
Step 2 – Image upload and analysis: Once images are received, they are uploaded to the cloud where Vetology AI immediately begins analysing the data.
Step 3 – Virtual radiologist report generated: Within five minutes, a Virtual Radiologist Report is generated, sent to the practice's email, and uploaded to their cloud account for easy access.
If you’re interested in learning how Vetology AI can enhance diagnostic workflows and elevate patient care for your UK-based practice, reach out to the VetIT team today to discuss the solution in more detail and schedule a demo. We’re happy to provide the information you need to make an informed decision and help you see how Vetology AI can support your practice.
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