(Editor’s Note: Maggie Sullivan of the Animal Policy Group is a co-author of this article for Animal Health News and Views.)
An impressive cadre of researchers, academicians and animal welfare leaders just published a peer-reviewed article in recent Frontiers in Veterinary Science. The authors hail from Colorado State University Animal-Human Policy Center, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Denver Dumb Friends League, Bureau of Animal Protection of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.
This is a comprehensive survey of Veterinary professionals and pet owners regarding access to Veterinary care and the workforce. It’s just one state, but detailed and expansive in a manner that will be helpful for pet healthcare people, organizations, and educators throughout the United States.
“Veterinary and Pet Owner Perspectives on Addressing Access to Veterinary Care and Workforce Challenges” explores the challenges faced by pet owners and Veterinary professionals in Colorado. Surveying 736 Veterinary professionals and 1,209 pet owners, the study aimed to compare perceptions of Veterinary workforce and access to care challenges and identify effective solutions.
- Veterinary Workforce Challenges:
- 71.9% frequently divert clients due to scheduling conflicts.
- 55% noted that clients declined care due to cost.
- Pet Owner Challenges:
- 28.4% of online respondents reported difficulties accessing Veterinary care in the past two years.
- 51.8% of in-person survey participants reported difficulties accessing Veterinary care in the past two years.
- Barriers included:
- Lack of available appointments (49.8%).
- Inconvenient clinic hours (32.6%).
- High costs (28.4%).
- Potential of Telemedicine:
- 72.5% of pet owners surveyed were comfortable using telemedicine for Veterinary consultations.
- 64% believed that telemedicine would increase their likelihood of contacting a veterinarian.
- 63.4% of surveyed professionals agreed that telemedicine could improve access for underserved populations.
- Need for Veterinary Technicians:
- 78.2% of Veterinary professionals surveyed reported difficulty finding certified Veterinary technicians (CVTs).
- Strong support for policies to enhance recruitment and retention, including:
- Clarifying the scope of practice for CVTs.
- Offering loan repayment programs.
- Creating clearer career pathways.
- Emergency Care Services and Financial Support:
- Many pet owners struggled to access emergency care, indicating a need for low-cost clinics.
- Grants and vouchers emerged as another important area:
- 69.1% of veterinarian respondents were interested in participating in grant and voucher programs.
- These programs could help cover costs for low-income clients, support mobile or low-cost clinics, and invest in telehealth.
- Veterinarian Professional Associate Position:
- The Veterinarian Professional Associate (VPA) role is designed to support veterinarians by handling routine tasks, freeing up veterinarians to focus on more complex cases. Responsibilities may include:
- Conducting initial patient assessments.
- Performing vaccinations and basic wound care.
- Assisting with client communication and education.
- 62.7% of surveyed Veterinary professionals expressed interest in the VPA position, and 58.3% of Veterinary professionals believe that the VPA role may help address the current workforce shortage.
- 65.2% of surveyed professionals support creating specialized VPA training programs.
- Potential impact on client satisfaction:
- 60.8% of pet owners indicated they would be comfortable interacting with a VPA for routine care.
- 47.6% of pet owners believed that having a VPA available would make it easier to get timely appointments.
- The Veterinarian Professional Associate (VPA) role is designed to support veterinarians by handling routine tasks, freeing up veterinarians to focus on more complex cases. Responsibilities may include:
In conclusion, the study underscores the critical role of telemedicine in improving access to Veterinary care and highlights the pressing need for more Veterinary technicians. Expanding telemedicine services can bridge gaps between pet owners and veterinarians, making care more accessible and convenient. Simultaneously, targeted policies to recruit and retain Veterinary technicians and implement grant and voucher programs are essential for the sustainability of Veterinary services. A multifaceted approach, combining technological innovations like telemedicine with robust workforce development strategies and financial support mechanisms, is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by the Veterinary profession.