A recent pet experience allowed me to watch a dozen pet owners and their pets come and go from a veterinary office. Over half of the pet owners returned to their cars and sat in the parking lot for several minutes, displaying what could be described as a 1,000-yard stare. Others seemed to share the visit results with a passenger or via a phone call.
THERE IS A LOT to process when veterinarians, technicians and pet owners meet to address a health issue with a beloved pet in a veterinary office. In addition to the considerable distractions, clients often nod in agreement when receiving instructions, avoid asking logical questions, fear costs, fuss over their pet and seem to scurry away from the veterinary office. The scenes are frequently not conducive to actionable understanding.
Louise S. Dunn provides an analytical approach to uncovering communication issues, barriers to clients’ nonadherence and shares how health literacy, or the lack thereof, influences compliance to veterinary recommendations.
Source: DVM 360, April 11, 2024. Link.
Health literacy, not the same as illiteracy, is the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand health information and services in order to make appropriate health decisions.”
INSIGHTS: Dunn’s considerable practice experiences are evident in this article. Whether new to practice or a longstanding practice team member, her article is a good review of how things get wonky and restrict adherence to what is agreed upon and best for the animal.