The relationship between evaluation of shared decision-making by pet owners and veterinarians and satisfaction with veterinary consultations

Lived experiences of radiographers assigned to veterinary clinics in the Philippines: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Radiographers in the Philippines are increasingly assigned to veterinary clinics, where they perform diagnostic imaging for animals using x-ray machines. This practice is not typical, as the formal education and curriculum for radiographers mainly focus on human applications. With the growing demand for veterinary radiography, understanding the experiences and challenges faced by radiographers in this context is crucial. There is limited research on the subject, particularly in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of radiographers working in veterinary clinics in the Philippines.

METHODS

A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to capture the experiences of 14 board-certified radiographers working in veterinary clinics in two highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. Data were collected from August to November 2024 through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via Zoom. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, identifying key themes and categories.

RESULTS

The study identified four main themes: (1) Technical challenges in adapting to veterinary radiography, including adjusting positioning techniques and dealing with equipment limitations; (2) Physical and emotional challenges, including physical strain from handling large animals and the emotional toll from witnessing animal suffering and managing pet owners' expectations; (3) Lack of formal training in veterinary radiography and the reliance on pre-employment training and mentorship from colleagues and veterinarians; (4) A fulfilling career in veterinary radiography, with participants reporting a strong sense of purpose in helping animals and gratification from supporting pet owners.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the significant challenges faced by radiographers working in veterinary clinics, particularly in terms of technical adaptation, physical demands, and emotional strain. However, despite these challenges, radiographers found their careers to be rewarding and fulfilling. The findings suggest the need for formal training in veterinary radiography and the development of support systems to enhance the professional development and well-being of radiographers in this unique setting.

Experiences of End-of-Life Decision-Making in Equine Veterinary and Charity Teams

Veterinary and charity teams are frequently involved in equine end-of-life decisions. These can cause ethical dilemmas and emotional burdens and complicate communication with owners. Semi-structured focus groups explored experiences of making decisions about end-of-life care and euthanasia at three UK equine veterinary practices and one charity. There were 26 participants in a mix of roles. Inductive coding was conducted during thematic analysis. Major themes generated were 'Equine Welfare', 'Relationships', 'Decision-Making', and 'Emotional Toll and Coping Strategies'. Communication, finances, and chronic vs. acute cases were key issues featured within multiple themes. The individual horse's welfare was the participants' priority during decision-making. However, there were barriers to coming to a decision about treatment or euthanasia, and conflict caused by these barriers could detrimentally affect participants' mental health. Preferred style of decision-making varied depending on the situation. Examples given included shared decision-making, participants steering the decision, and attempts by participants or owners to shift decisional responsibility onto the other party. Some owners sought additional input into decisions from veterinary nurses and receptionists. Participants found aspects of their roles emotionally challenging. This could be mitigated by supportive relationships and communication with colleagues. Involving veterinary team members in varying roles in end-of-life care planning and euthanasia decision-making with owners contributes a range of skills and expertise and helps to share the burden of responsibility.

Challenges of the Calgary-Cambridge Consultation Guide in Veterinary Multicultural and Multilingual Scenarios and the Role of Veterinary Translators

The Calgary-Cambridge Guide is a widely recognised framework for teaching communication skills to healthcare professionals that has become a cornerstone of communication training programs in medicine and other healthcare fields. In the context of veterinary medicine, its integration into communication training programs has become an asset improving communication, education, interaction, and quality of service, enhancing the veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). In veterinary medicine, however, a more challenging consultation dynamic involves the veterinarian, the owner, and the animal. The addition of a veterinary assistant that acts as an interpreter or translator is common in Hong Kong where the native language (Cantonese) coexists with English when consultations are led by non-native language speakers. This addition converts this commonly dyadic model into a triadic communication model. The addition of an assistant interpreter influences the way consultations are conducted, how information is conveyed, and how interpersonal cues and empathy are delivered. In this report we depict challenges applying the Calgary-Cambridge Guide in multicultural and multilingual veterinary medical centres in Hong Kong and highlight the role of veterinary supporting staff in these scenarios, specifically veterinary assistant interpreters.

Recasting the gold standard - part II of II: communicating healthcare options along a continuum of care

SERIES OUTLINE

This is the second part of a two-part series on spectrum of care that encourages practitioners to tailor case management to the patient along a continuum of acceptable options. Part I defined the spectrum of care and broadened its approach beyond initial cost-of-care considerations. This second article introduces strategies for initiating conversations with clients about their needs, wants and expectations specific to healthcare options and case management decisions. It will explore how open inquiry, reflective listening, transparency and unconditional positive regard facilitate dialogue between providers and their clients as they collaborate on decision-making along a spectrum of care.

RELEVANCE

Contextual case management prioritizes interventions that are appropriate for both the patient and the client. To identify and explore which healthcare options represent the best fit for those impacted most by medical decisions, veterinarians need to make space for clients to feel comfortable sharing their perspectives. Clients are more likely to be engaged in decision-making when their insight is actively solicited. They have much to share with us as experts about their cat's overall health and wellness needs. Inviting clients to contribute to the consultation and being receptive to hearing what motivates their choices helps us to structure conversations around healthcare options. The ability to communicate healthcare options is as vital as the provision of healthcare, if not more so.