Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of veterinary doctors and dog owners towards veterinary virtual care and electronic record keeping in Rubaga, Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
Modern technologies have introduced veterinary services directly into the homes of animal owners. Similar to advancements in human healthcare, these innovations are anticipated to influence veterinary medicine. Veterinary virtual care (VVC) and electronic record keeping (ERK) have emerged as significant advancements in the veterinary field, promising improved accessibility, efficiency and quality of care for animals. Developing countries such as Uganda need VVC applications that help in many situations, when veterinary doctors are a small number with respect to the animal population, when specialized veterinary doctors are not available, when patients and veterinary doctors in rural villages need assistance in the delivery of animal health care. This study aimed at assessing knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of veterinary doctors and dog owners towards VVC and ERK. One hundred and ninety-two respondents (192); 50% (96) dog owners and 96 veterinary doctors participated in the study and quantitative analysis was performed on the collected data. The results revealed that majority of the dog owners (77.1%) and the veterinary doctors (68.8%) had a low level of knowledge about VVC. Most of the dog owners (56.3%) and the veterinary doctors (72.9%) had a neutral perception of VVC and many of the dog owners (51.0%) and the veterinary doctors (70.8%) had a neutral attitude towards VVC. In addition, the data indicated that many of the dog owners (42.7%) and the veterinary doctors (62.5%) had a moderate level of knowledge about ERK. Majority of the dog owners (56.3%) and the veterinary doctors (53.1%) had a positive perception of ERK and most of the dog owners (52.1%) and veterinary doctors (63.5%) had a neutral attitude towards ERK. In conclusion, majority of both veterinary doctors and dog owners had low and moderate levels of knowledge about VVC and ERK respectively. Most of the veterinary doctors and many of the dog owners had neutral and positive perceptions for VVC and ERK respectively. The biggest percentage of both veterinary doctors and dog owners had a neutral attitude towards VVC and ERK. These findings indicated a need for awareness campaigns about VVC and ERK for veterinary doctors and dog owners in Rubaga division.