Use of smartphone messaging applications to increase diagnostic efficiency in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

Abstract

Many inconclusive diagnoses have been reported in studies carried out in veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs). These inconclusive diagnoses are often associated with field veterinarians sending tissue samples and carcasses for histopathological examination. The use of social media in care has the potential as a tool for improvements in animal health. We evaluated the improvement in the rate of conclusive diagnoses in the VDL when using a messaging application for smartphones as a guidance tool for field veterinarians to refer animals and sample tissues for necropsy and histopathology. Veterinarians contacted the VDL team via a messaging app and forwarded videos, images, and clinical-epidemiological history. Based on this information, guidelines were created in real-time for contacting professionals about methods for collecting samples during necropsy and making diagnoses and scheduling visits to properties. The data obtained showed that smartphone messaging applications could be useful tools to expand the performance of VDLs and improve their diagnostic efficiency, especially when sending samples of animals that died is impossible due to certain sanitary conditions.

A Pilot Study Using Remote Digital Necropsy Images to Diagnose Gross Lesions in Swedish Cattle

“…The RDN could serve as a good complement to the regular post-mortem examinations especially in remote areas with long distances to the necropsy site. A Brazilian study by Lemos et al (2023) showed that smartphone messaging applications could be useful tools to expand the performance of veterinary diagnostic laboratories and improve their diagnostic efficiency. Technology, supporting transfer of images and video material, can also be useful for veterinarians in the field when they need support in their assessment.…”