Pilot study of Australian veterinarians and their perceptions and experiences related to online pet health information

Abstract

Objective Investigate Australian veterinarians’ perceptions of clients’ use of the internet to find pet health information. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed using social media, e‐newsletters and veterinary magazines. Results A total of 85 complete responses were obtained from Australian veterinarians. Most (80%) reported believing that > 80% of their clients have access to the internet at home or work, but 68% thought that the majority of their clients do not understand what they read online. Attitudes regarding the impact of online pet health information on the veterinarian–client relationship were mixed (56% reported negative impact and 33% a positive impact), as well as for clients’ use of the internet for information on companion animal health (47% reported negative impact and 38% a positive impact). When asked how often they suggest specific websites to their clients (‘information prescriptions’), the majority of veterinarians reported that this is done infrequently. Conclusion This pilot study highlighted the perception of Australian veterinarians of their clients’ use of the internet to find pet health information. It also highlighted the need for a large‐scale, detailed survey of Australian veterinarians and their views in relation to pet owners and their use of online information. This should include evaluation of information prescriptions and their potential benefits for clients and patients.

A pilot study of Australian pet owners who engage in social media and their use, experience and views of online pet health information

“…A prior study of Australian veterinarians found that the majority (76.5%) of veterinarians thought that between 41 and 80% of pet owners used the internet for pet health information . However, this study found that 96.1% of pet owners use the internet for pet health information, suggesting that veterinarians might underestimate their clients' use of the internet for seeking pet health information.…”

“…Website security and privacy settings are important aspects to consider for both pet owners and veterinary staff . Yet, even when websites are secure, current, unbiased and accurate, there is still a risk for misinterpretations by the user …”

“…15 Yet, even when websites are secure, current, unbiased and accurate, there is still a risk for misinterpretations by the user. 16,17 Given the rise of animal health-related websites, it has been questioned whether they are replacing veterinarians as pet owners' main source of pet health information. As Kogan et al 10 reported, even though growing in use and popularity, the internet has not replaced veterinarians as the primary source for pet health information.…”

In this issue – January/February 2019: Dog health education in Aboriginal communities · Clients and the internet · Genetics of lymphoma in Australian Border Collies · Meloxicam in a pain model in sheep · Anaesthetising swamp buffalo · Ultrasound measurement of jejunum in poultry

“…Our second pilot study looked at responses from 85 veterinarians about their perceptions of their clients’ and owners’ use of the internet and whether they could understand the information that they found …”

“…Our second pilot study looked at responses from 85 veterinarians about their perceptions of their clients' and owners' use of the internet and whether they could understand the information that they found. 2 Most respondents were young women. Just over 78% of respondents considered that less than 40% of their clients understood what they had read online, although 72% thought that more than 60% of their clients trusted what they read online.…”