Communicating Pet Health Information to Veterinary Clients
Jane R. Shaw, DVM, PhD, Colorado State University
Lisa J. Hunter, MSW, Colorado State University
Patients visiting their physician are often anxious and overwhelmed by the type and amount of information they receive, making it difficult for them to ask critical questions for clarification or discuss alternative treatment plans. Clients at a veterinary practice can experience similar emotions when trying to understand their pet’s diagnosis and treatment options while also worrying about financial concerns and pet wellbeing.
Learning how to recognize clients’ health literacy (ie, their ability to process medical information and make appropriate decisions1) and adapt communication to individual clients alleviates client stress, promotes mutual understanding, and builds a strong client partnership.
Figure 1 Adapted Health Literacy Model
Interpreting the Model
The Health Literacy Model proposed here was adapted from a human model used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.2 Fostering mutual understanding is a critical precursor to client compliance. The model consists of 8 components (see Figure 1) that can be divided into 3 steps:
Step 1: Provide information at the clients’ level of comprehension (ie, functional literacy), and equip clients to discuss (ie, communicative literacy) and use the information to make decisions (ie, critical literacy).
Step 2: With strong health literacy, clients are empowered to take an active role in their pet’s care (ie, empowerment) and make informed decisions, which helps them feel confident and competent about caring for their pet (ie, self-efficacy).
Step 3: Clients are better able to approve diagnostic recommendations, choose treatment plans, and provide the nursing care their pet needs (ie, pet-care tasks). The end result is improved health for the pet (ie, pet health) and enhanced client satisfaction and compliance, team satisfaction, and practice performance.2
Fostering Understanding on Multiple Levels
Functional Literacy
Be mindful of making assumptions, and gauge clients’ understanding by listening to the language they use and the questions they ask. When explaining diagnoses, treatments, or other information, observe verbal and nonverbal cues (see Signs of Literacy Concerns) to determine if clients are processing the information or becoming confused or overwhelmed. Stop periodically to assess clients’ level of understanding. Use diverse educational tools (eg, pictures, diagrams, models, videos) to support visual, tactile, and kinesthetic learning and decrease reliance on reading or auditory learning.1
Signs of Literacy Concerns3
Not completing paperwork
Completing forms incorrectly
Not reading printed materials (eg, client surveys, handouts, discharge instructions)
Making excuses for not reading (eg, I have bad eyesight, I do not have my contacts in, I will read this later)
Communicative Literacy
Help clients understand the information so they can share it with other key decision-makers in the pet’s life. Use plain language instead of medical jargon. Pause to allow clients time to process information, pose questions, or ask for clarification. Use various approaches to enforce learning (eg, articles, handouts, books, show- and-tell demonstrations, guided internet searches). Present information in chunks (ie, 1-3 sentences) and ask questions frequently to check client comprehension.2
Evaluating Comprehension
What questions do you have?
What are your greatest concerns?
How will you explain this to your family?
How will you implement the plan at home?
Critical Literacy
Pose questions that promote the clients’ ability to apply the information and encourage them to think out loud.3
Applying Knowledge
What additional information do you need to consider these options?
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages?
What are the most important factors for you to make this decision?
What do you need to take into account?
Client Empowerment
Raise clients’ awareness of their pet’s health concerns and empower them to take an active role in the animal’s care by promoting their decision-making and advocacy for the pet. Create a partnership that encourages their involvement in the pet’s care plan.4 Recognize clients’ expertise and knowledge of their pet, and encourage them to pose questions and share their thoughts, opinions, and values.
Promoting Empowerment
How have you made important pet-care decisions in the past?
What do you see as the best option for Max?
What is most important to you?
You know Max best—how do you think he will respond?
Self-Efficacy & Pet-Care Tasks
Self-efficacy is the clients’ self-perception of their ability to complete pet-care tasks (eg, make diagnostic and treatment decisions). When the veterinary team recognizes the clients’ assets, knowledge, and skills (eg, to administer medications, observe an incision, care for a bandage), clients feel assured they can follow through with their pet’s prescribed care plan.5 Provide compliments, words of reassurance, and support.
Recognizing Client Competence
You take the very best care of Max.
It is going to be hard at first, but I know you can do it.
Look at how much progress you have made.
Max is doing so well, thanks to you.
Pet Health
Empowering clients enables them to provide proper at-home care for their pet, which enhances pet health and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Engaging and partnering with clients in their pet’s healthcare helps build client confidence. Clients who clearly understand their pet’s health are better equipped to make decisions about treatment options and provide appropriate continuing care. The Health Literacy Model is a component of an effective communication strategy that promotes the formation of a positive partnership between veterinary team members and clients.