Improving Veterinary Visits With Quality-Of-Life Assessments
There is a gap between what veterinary clinics offer for companion animal care and what guardians want from health checkups. One way to bridge this gap is by using formal quality-of-life assessment tools before a vet visit. These tools are often computerized surveys or apps that ask questions about a companion animal before a checkup.
With these tools, experts argue that guardians can feel more involved in care with their questions and concerns better addressed. In addition, the tools enable guardians and vets to take a more holistic approach to companion animal healthcare, beyond physical problems. However, veterinary clinics have concerns that clients will resist using quality-of-life assessment tools, so clinics are unlikely to use the tools in practice.
Researchers surveyed 410 guardians of companion dogs in the U.K. to explore whether guardians would resist using quality-of-life assessment tools. They also conducted qualitative interviews with four people who had used quality-of-life assessment tools in the past. Of the 410 respondents, 93% were women, 64% were guardians with one companion dog, and 32.5% visited the vet twice yearly.
The most common topics discussed at vet visits were preventative medicine, body weight, specific health problems, neutering, diet and nutrition, and general welfare. The least common topics were fear-related issues, socializing with other dogs and people, euthanasia, creating a safe and comfortable environment, and mental stimulation. Only 18 respondents went to a vet that used a quality-of-life assessment, ten of whom used a phone application. The reasons for the assessments included overall well-being, registering or transferring to a new vet, treatment evaluation, arthritis assessment, and pain assessment.
Despite only 4% of guardians using quality-of-life assessments, 71% indicated they would like to use these tools. However, 11.5% were unsure, and 18% wanted to avoid them.
From the interviews, three themes emerged. The first theme was that assessment tools promoted client-vet relationships and empowered guardians. Guardians felt vets understood them better and were taking a collaborative role in the companion dogs’ health. As a result, their trust in the service was higher. They felt less rushed and pressured to remember things and were less anxious overall. The tools also helped track health over time and gave helpful details to the vet before their assessment during a visit.
The second theme was that guardians wanted to talk more about holistic care, not just the immediate physical health reason for a vet visit. Most quality-of-life discussions happen at the end of a companion dog’s life. With the assessment tools, guardians felt the care extended to the dog’s entire life. However, some participants did not feel the tools were detailed enough.
The third theme focused on the broader adoption of quality-of-life assessment tools. Guardians felt these tools could educate and enhance conversations with their vet. They preferred electronic formats over paper. But, guardians emphasized, these tools should not replace conversational communication and decision-making. Guardians disagreed about how frequently to use the tools and whether they should be used at home before a vet appointment or as part of the appointment process. They were also concerned that the tools might be intimidating to less knowledgeable guardians.
This study confirms that quality-of-life assessment tools are uncommon in veterinary practice. It also shows that, contrary to veterinarians’ opinions, guardians are interested in using these tools. Other social and technical factors may be preventing their widespread adoption. However, it appears that companion animals, guardians, and vets would all benefit from putting them into practice.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/3/392