Use of health parameter trends to communicate pet health information in companion animal practice: A mixed methods analysis

Abstract

Background Reviewing patient health parameter trends can strengthen veterinarian–client–patient relationships. The objective of this study is to identify characteristics associated with veterinarians’ communication of health parameter trends to companion animal clients. Methods Using a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, independent pet owner (n = 27) and veterinarian (n = 24) focus groups were conducted and analysed via content analysis to assess perceptions of how health parameter trends are communicated by veterinarians. Subsequently, a quantitative assessment of video recorded veterinary appointments (n = 917) compared characteristics identified in focus groups with health parameter trend discussions in practice. A mixed logistic model was used to assess characteristics associated with the occurrence of weight trend discussions. Results Fifteen characteristics relating to veterinarians’ use of health parameter trends were identified across focus groups. Veterinarians discussed 77 health parameter trends in relation to bodyweight (57/77), blood work (15/77) and other health parameters (5/77), within 73 (73/917) appointments. The odds of a weight trend discussion were higher if the veterinarian identified the pet as overweight or obese compared to an ideal bodyweight (odds ratio (OR) = 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15–4.09; p = 0.016). Conclusion Mention of a health parameter trend was uncommon and rarely included use of visual aids. Health parameter trends related to bodyweight were discussed reactively, rather than proactively.

Exploring veterinary professionals’ perceptions of pet weight‐related communication in companion animal veterinary practice

“…Advocates have promoted the importance of preventing pet obesity, 38 and the use of trends has been identified as an integral component of preventive veterinary care 39 . A recent investigation of the use of trends in companion animal practice found that the majority of trends discussed by veterinarians with clients focused on pet weight, although most were retrospective or retrospective and prospective, indicating a lack of proactive monitoring of pets’ weight trends 40 . The findings support further encouraging veterinary professionals to focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy bodyweight when the pet is still at a healthy weight, as well as educating clients on the importance of pets’ weight in relation to their overall health from early in life and over their lifetime.…”

Veterinary professionals’ weight-related communication when discussing an overweight or obese pet with a client

“…Additionally, monitoring trends in pet health parameters has been promoted as an important aspect of preventive veterinary care, 19 yet recent research with the same study population has indicated that participating veterinarians' use of trends to communicate with clients is very limited. 20 Increased use of trends within veterinarian-client interactions may help identify the need for early intervention to maintain a healthy pet weight. Pet obesity advocates highlight that prevention of pet obesity is easier than trying to achieve weight loss followed by weight maintenance over the longterm.…”

Improving veterinarian‐client communication in companion animal preventive healthcare consultations

“…16 Furthermore, although visual aids such as graphs and tables have previously been identified as positive adjuncts for the discussion of health trends, 17 they were rarely used in these consultations. 16 As in previous studies evaluating preventive healthcare consultations, [18][19][20] the primary reason cited for these disparities between expectations and actual practice was that the time allocated for routine consultations is typically too short to allow for complex discussions. 16 In addition, poor availability of software to display trends from clinical records, limited access to visual displays of normal data and the costs associated with repeated laboratory tests were also identified as barriers to the discussion of health parameter trends.…”

“…Despite both veterinarians and clients expressing a desire to discuss trends in clinical and laboratory parameters, such discussion was absent in 90 per cent of the consultations observed in this study. 16 Furthermore, although visual aids such as graphs and tables have previously been identified as positive adjuncts for the discussion of health trends, 17 they were rarely used in these consultations. 16 As in previous studies evaluating preventive healthcare consultations, [18][19][20] the primary reason cited for these disparities between expectations and actual practice was that the time allocated for routine consultations is typically too short to allow for complex discussions.…”

“…to information exchange in companion animal practice. 16 This study first assessed pet owners' and veterinarians' perceptions of how health parameter trends, such as bodyweight, dental scores and serum biochemistry markers, could be used to support information exchange in veterinary consultations. A series of videotaped consultations were then reviewed to evaluate how health parameter trends are currently discussed during veterinarian-client interactions.…”