Commentary
Context can rarely be achieved in a 10-minute exam . . . period.
The ability of a veterinary professional to understand a patient’s health status and determine treatment options requires the story of an event or life circumstances. Engaging the pet owner to share their observations and specifics is an important element in what is described as narrative medicine. Together the owner and veterinary professional uncover the whole story and jointly decide on the best strategies for the animal’s health.
Embracing the stories of our patients and clients, as well as our own, is at the heart of narrative medicine, a long-practiced but only more recently studied skill that emphasizes empathy, reflection, and self-compassion.” – Emily Singler, VMD
Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 3, 2023. Link. Extracting and sharing stories has a role in enriching patient care and the client experience. It can also help support and improve the wellbeing of the whole veterinary team.
INSIGHTS: Narrative medicine happens naturally for some veterinary professionals. Understanding it as a strategy requires focus and practice. Mostly, it requires slowing down enough to comfortably engage pet owners in a conversation as a decision getter. These two past posts reference skills used in narrative medicine:
- Practicing narrative medicine; diagnostic listening, AHD, September 24, 2019. Link. Treating animal owners as home health care providers and learning to triangulate rather than dictate is fundamental to narrative medicine.
- 2 powerful words to empower animal owners, AHD, October 29, 2020. Link. Asking “WHAT ELSE?” following clarification or acknowledgement is a primary key to improving your relationship when communicating with animal owners.”
Another consideration: As access to preliminary veterinarian feedback increases with telemedicine, telehealth and AI platforms, getting the animal owners’ context is more critical than ever to identify the story and the expectations.