Veterinary surveys show fast tech adoption, persistent staffing strain

Veterinary practices are adopting digital tools faster than many expected, but the workforce strain behind that shift hasn’t eased. New 2026 survey findings from Instinct Science show that 91% of general practices changed or adopted at least one new technology in the past year, 90% now use digital diagnostic and imaging equipment, and 48% report using AI in some capacity, most often for medical records, SOAP notes, and diagnostic support. At the same time, Instinct’s broader survey of specialty, emergency, and urgent care teams found staffing shortages still topped the list of operational challenges, cited by 85% of respondents, even as more hospitals added full-time staff in 2025. Client financial limitations also emerged as a major new pressure point. (instinct.vet)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t just that AI is arriving, it’s that practices are using technology as a practical response to workload, retention pressure, and rising expectations from pet parents. Instinct says nearly three-quarters of general-practice AI users reported efficiency gains, while specialty and emergency respondents linked newer tools to better workflow, patient care, and fewer treatment or diagnostic errors. That lines up with broader industry signals: AVMA’s 2025 profession report found most practice owners think the pace of digital transformation is about right, and AAHA’s retention research has shown flexibility, resources, and supportive leadership matter alongside compensation when teams decide whether to stay. (instinct.vet)

What to watch: Watch whether practices move from point solutions like AI scribes into broader workflow redesign, especially as retention, scheduling flexibility, and client affordability continue to shape adoption decisions. (globenewswire.com)