Virbac Animal Health Veterinarian Focus Group on Compassionate Care and Related Issues

Transcription

1 Virbac Animal Health Veterinarian Focus Group on Compassionate Care and Related Issues Findings Report January, 2010 This focus group findings report has been edited for online viewing. If you would like to receive the full report, please use the link provided on this page to request a copy. Kaufman Research Overland Park, KS

2 Objectives The overall objective of the qualitative research was to have veterinarians discuss their personal (and their practice s) viewpoints on the protocols, philosophies and emotions in the areas of end-of-life care, euthanasia and compassion fatigue. Specific objectives were to: Assess the level of current and past training given to these veterinarians in managing staff and clients in end-of-life care and related issues; Gather insights on perspectives/definitions of end-of-life care and hospice care for pets; Identify perceived issues surrounding the euthanasia procedure and any aftereffects among staff; Assess awareness of the term and the existence of compassion fatigue within the profession. 2

3 Methodology The qualitative phase of the research was conducted via a telephone conference Focus Group. Included were twelve practicing veterinarians from across the country. Nine of the veterinarians were general practitioners chosen randomly from a list of several thousand veterinarians. An additional three veterinarians who are regarded in the profession as key opinion leaders on the subject of end-of-life care, hospice (or palliative care) and compassion fatigue issues were also included in the discussion. These three key opinion leaders are generally recognized by the profession (through published articles, books and speaking engagements) as having a special focus and deeper insights on the subject. Virbac Animal Health was not identified as the sponsor of this research. 3

4 Findings 4

5 Current/Past Training in End-of-Life Care or Euthanasia To begin the discussion, participants were asked whether or not they had ever had any formal training in veterinary school on how to handle end-of-life discussions with clients or the euthanasia process. Only those who had graduated within the past five or so years said there had been some training for these situations while they were in school. However, even those more recent graduates indicated this training had been extremely limited often, only a single seminar or one day presentation of information on the subject. Virtually all agreed this was simply not given any special attention by the veterinary school they had attended. Instead, nearly all of their experience to date has come from on-the-job training 5

6 Current/Past Training in End-of-Life Care or Euthanasia While little had been taught (in a formal sense) until their real-world experiences, several did note they had attended special seminars in recent years at various veterinary conferences. In fact, many stated this subject area is being covered more often now than ever before at these conferences. One of the KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) in the group did note that at least 50% of the many veterinary schools she is in contact with are now putting a special focus on these subjects in hopes of addressing the issues for students who will soon be in practice. All in all, most indicated they had to learn in a baptism by fire manner when they entered practice. While they have learned some from actual experience and at conferences, they believe there is still much to be learned to achieve a better comfort level. 6

7 End-of-Life Care/Hospice Care Several of the veterinarians in this Focus Group were of the opinion the term hospice care is misapplied in the practice of veterinary medicine. They feel strongly that hospice care is a human model and means something very different from what they like to offer clients which is more of a palliative care model. Several said they provide their clients with options explaining many drugs now exist that can improve the quality of life they experience with their pets so the pet s life is actually extended, but with less (or no) pain and suffering. In contrast, the human model of hospice which most people view as comforting a patient in the last days before death is a much different scenario. 7

8 End-of-Life Care/Hospice Care Instead, these veterinarians would prefer to present the drug and care options to pet owners as a special kind of care that does, indeed, preserve and extend the pet s life in a quality way. If care is not working as desired, the clinic can help further by changing the plan to different medications or types of care for the pet to achieve the same thing. Most agreed they have received even less training on this type of end-of-life care (and related discussions with clients) than they have with euthanasia procedures. Once again, the veterinarians have developed methods and tactics through their real-world experiences in practice, but have not had any outside, formal training. 8

9 Compassion Fatigue All agreed that compassion fatigue happens more often than is typically acknowledged. It is viewed by these veterinarians as a significant issue that can truly cause you to dread coming to work. They stated they do feel you must recognize this problem as a reality and find ways to cope and help your staff cope with it when it occurs. 9

10 Thank you for your interest in compassionate care. If you would like to learn more, please see additional research report summaries posted on this page. This focus group findings report has been edited for online viewing. If you would like to receive the full report, please use the link provided on this page to request a copy. Kaufman Research Overland Park, KS