b'ARTICLE The wellbeing impact comes from reducing the typing tax. In many clinics, typing is not a neutral task. It competes with listening, reduces eye contact, and fragments attention.Used appropriately, it can help ownerswhat was discussed.describe symptoms clearly, highlight redThe wellbeing impact comes from flags that warrant urgent assessment,reducing the typing tax. In many and ensure the practice has the rightclinics, typing is not a neutral task. It information before arrival. It shouldcompetes with listening, reduces eye not replace clinical judgement, and itcontact, and fragments attention. should not create false reassurance.When documentation can be drafted When designed and governed properly,automatically, more of the consultation it can reduce the back-and-forth thatcan be spent on the examination, on consumes reception time and delaysexplaining options, and on checking care. understanding. That supports clinical There is another reality here thatquality as well as client experience.practices cannot ignore. Owners areInterestingly, some clinicians report a already interacting with AI outsidesecondary effect. When a scribe tool the practice, often by searching theis listening, clinicians often vocalise internet or using general-purpose toolsfindings more clearly, because speaking to ask what might be wrong. That canthe assessment improves the draft note. generate anxiety, misinformation, andThat can sharpen communication with unrealistic expectations. One practicalthe owner in real time. It also encourages response is to provide a trusted,a clearer narrative of clinical reasoning, practice-aligned pathway within thewhich is exactly what a good record clinics own ecosystem: structured pre- should capture. In that sense, the tool visit information gathering, clear writtendoes not only save time; it can improve guidance, and signposting to reliableclarity, consistency, and engagement.resources. The aim is not to ban curiosity, but to keep clinical interpretation withinThe key is realism. The record still a safe, accountable space. needs review. AI is excellent at drafting In-consultation tools: AI scribes structure, but it can misunderstand If there is one category of AI that hascontext, misattribute a detail, or include surged in popularity in veterinaryirrelevant conversation. The safest and practice, it is the scribe. AI scribes suchmost effective use is to treat the draft as CoVet, record the consultationas a starting point that must be checked conversation and produce an editablequickly and routinely, much like reviewing clinical note that is structured anda junior colleagues first draft.professional. The clinician reviews andClinical decision support aidsfinalises it, but crucially they begin withAnother fast-growing area is decision a draft rather than a blank page. AIsupport. AI tools can help formulate scribes can also generate owner-facingdifferential diagnoses, suggest summaries in plain language, sometimesdiagnostic pathways, and summarise in multiple languages, which can improvemanagement or treatment options. At understanding and reduce follow-uptheir best, they function like a searchable, confusion. They can draft referral letters,summarised veterinary library that can emails, and reports, and also extractbe accessed in the flow of a consultation. practical outputs such as to-do lists,That can be helpful for complex cases, reminders, and billing prompts based onuncommon presentations, and situations 34www.inspiredvet.co.uk'