Asking About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This research explored whether asking patients about their pets would enable better environmental/social history taking, and improve patient communication/care. Primary health care providers (PHPs) were surveyed about prevalence of patients living with pets, the health impact of pets, and influences on patient communication. Following an educational intervention, they committed to asking patients about their pets. A follow-up survey was conducted electronically. PHPs were recruited at a continuing medical education (CME) conference and at CME workshops. All 225 participants were PHPs. At the conference, participants were educated one-on-one about the clinical relevance of pets in the family. CME sessions were large or small group teaching. Baseline and final surveys measured awareness of pets in patients' families, assessment of determinants of health, impact on rapport with patients, and patient care. A sign test assessed difference in scores using repeated-measures analysis. Binomial outcomes were assessed using Fisher's exact test. Comments were themed. Ninety-four PHPs (42%) completed the study. Pet-related discussions opened communication with patients. Two-thirds of participants identified positive effects on practice and on relationships with patients. PHPs were able to leverage the health benefits of pets (zooeyia) and mitigate zoonotic risk. Asking patients about pets in the family reveals clinically relevant information, improves communication, and strengthens the therapeutic alliance.

Patient Education Tools: Using Pets to Empower Patients’ Self-care—A Pilot Study

“…Additionally, investigators used a previously developed educational brochure, including 25 references, which discussed zooeyia, zoonotic risk, and encouraged communication among all health-care providers of a pet owner's family (12).…”

“…In the second arm of the study, PHPs were recruited in 2 ways. At a conference of 6 area hospitals, investigators recruited PHPs who visited a booth featuring related work (12). Additional participants were recruited at continuing medical education events in the spring of 2016.…”

“…Conversations about patients' pets can improve communication, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, and reveal clinically relevant information. Knowing about pets in patients' families, PHPs can mitigate risk and effectively activate pets as an existing resource to promote patient self-care (12).…”

Recognizing Animals as an Important Part of Helping

“…A pilot study surveying primary health care providers who had participated in an educational intervention about the use of a pet query revealed that asking patients about their companion animals strengthened the therapeutic alliance and improved communication between patients and care providers. In turn, clinically important information was shared by patients which affected their treatment plans (Hodgson, et al, 2017). These findings have implications for social work practice, particularly social worker-client interaction and building rapport in the relationship (Hoy-Gerlach & Wehman, 2017; Tedeschi, Fitchett, & Molidor, 2005).…”

“…Research from veterinary and family medicine with valuable implications for social work is found in a study by Hodgson, Darling, Freeman and Monavvari (2017). The authors suggest asking animal questions during intake assessments to facilitate rapport between care providers, including social workers, and clients in a nonthreatening manner.…”