Why veterinary prescribing still feels harder than it should

A new Instinct blog post argues that veterinary prescribing feels harder than it should because clinicians are often forced to jump between a PIMS, drug references, calculators, and client education tools to complete a single prescription. In the article, Leonie Carter, DVM, says that fragmented workflows increase cognitive load and make it easier to lose track of dose calculations, units, and patient context, especially in busy clinics where interruptions are common. The post positions integrated prescribing tools, including in-chart dosing guidance, interaction checks, and client handouts, as a practical way to reduce friction and potential errors. (instinct.vet)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is less about convenience than medication safety and team efficiency. Evidence cited by Clinician’s Brief suggests medication errors are a major issue in veterinary care, with more than half of reported errors in one three-hospital review being drug related and 58.4% of identified medication-related errors in one large animal teaching hospital occurring during the prescribing phase. AAHA has also reported that prescription workflows, especially when outside pharmacies are involved, can consume significant staff time and introduce new communication risks. (cliniciansbrief.com)

What to watch: Expect more vendors and practices to focus on integrated prescribing, printed or digital prescription workflows, and software features that support safer approvals, documentation, and pharmacy communication. (pdmpassist.org)