Citing insights from a rare online survey with 8,069 horse owner participants, David Rame, DVM, shares horse owner perceptions regarding equine veterinary care. The treatment received by the horse was overwhelmingly the most satisfying part of the veterinary visit (64.91 percent), followed by the veterinarian’s skill (50.16 percent), the veterinarian’s bedside manner (38.12 percent), and value for treatment received (25.02 percent).
Source: Veterinary Practice News, February 6, 2018.
Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that veterinarians should discuss the cost of treatment before treating a client’s horse. Clients appreciate being educated about their horses by their veterinarians. Interestingly, a significant majority of respondents (43.6 percent) felt that veterinarians should do what they said, as they (the client) knew their horses the best.
INSIGHTS: “Your customers’ perception is reality,” states Colin Shaw. Equine veterinary teams need to heed the information about client choice versus veterinarian choice in treatment. Consider the need for discussion of this data and clients’ willingness to be educated as possible methods to diffuse potential conflicts.