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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Difficulties experienced by veterinarians when communicating...
BMC veterinary research2017; 13(1); 56; doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-0970-2

Difficulties experienced by veterinarians when communicating about emerging zoonotic risks with animal owners: the case of Hendra virus.

Abstract: Communication skills are essential for veterinarians who need to discuss animal health related matters with their clients. When dealing with an emerging zoonosis, such as Hendra virus (HeV), veterinarians also have a legal responsibility to inform their clients about the associated risks to human health. Here we report on part of a mixed methods study that examined the preparedness of, and difficulties experienced by, veterinarians communicating about HeV-related risks with their clients. Methods: Phase 1 was an exploratory, qualitative study that consisted of a series of face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with veterinary personnel from Queensland, Australia (2009-10) to identify the barriers to HeV management in equine practices. Phase 2a was a quantitative study that surveyed veterinarians from the same region (2011) and explored the veterinarians' preparedness and willingness to communicate about HeV-related risks, and the reactions of their clients that they experienced. The second study included both multiple choice and open-ended questions. Results: The majority of the participants from Phase 2a (83.1%) declared they had access to a HeV management plan and over half (58.6%) had ready-to-use HeV information available for clients within their practice. Most (87%) reported "always or sometimes" informing clients about HeV-related risks when a horse appeared sick. When HeV was suspected, 58.1% of participants reported their clients were receptive to their safety directives and 24.9% of clients were either initially unreceptive, overwhelmed by fear, or in denial of the associated risks. The thematic analysis of the qualitative data from Phases 1 and 2a uncovered similar themes in relation to HeV-related communication issues experienced by veterinarians: "clients' intent to adhere"; "adherence deemed redundant"; "misunderstanding or denial of risk"; "cost"; "rural culture"; "fear for reputation". The theme of "emotional state of clients" was only identified during Phase 1. Conclusions: Warning horse owners about health and safety issues that may affect them when present in a veterinary work environment is a legal requirement for veterinarians. However, emerging zoonoses are unpredictable events that may require a different communication approach. Future training programs addressing veterinary communication skills should take into account the particular issues inherent to managing an emerging zoonosis and emphasise the importance of maintaining human safety. Veterinary communication skills and approaches required when dealing with emerging zoonoses should be further investigated.
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Publication Date: 2017-02-18 PubMed ID: 28214468PubMed Central: PMC5316153DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-0970-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the challenges faced by veterinarians while communicating about new zoonotic diseases, particularly Hendra Virus (HeV), with animal owners. The study presents its findings after investigating the preparedness and issues encountered by veterinarians when informing clients about the risks associated with HeV.

Research Methodology

  • The research was divided into two phases: an exploratory qualitative study (Phase 1) and a quantitative study (Phase 2a).
  • In Phase 1, the researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with veterinary personnel in Queensland, Australia from 2009 to 2010 to outline the barriers to HeV management in equine practices.
  • Phase 2a consisted of a survey performed on veterinarians from the same region in 2011 to discuss their readiness and willingness to inform clients about HeV-related risks and assess the reactions of their clients to this information.

Key Findings

  • According to the findings from Phase 2a, 83.1% of the participants had access to a HeV management plan and 58.6% had ready-to-use HeV information available for their clients.
  • About 87% of the participants mentioned “always or sometimes” informing clients about HeV-related risks when dealing with a potentially sick horse.
  • In terms of their clients’ receptiveness to safety instruction when HeV was suspected, 58.1% received positive reception, whereas 24.9% reported their clients either resisted the news, were overwhelmed by fear or denied the risks.
  • Through the qualitative data analysis from both phases, the common themes related to HeV-communication troubles experienced by veterinarians were identified as: “clients’ intent to adhere”; “adherence deemed redundant”; “misunderstanding or denial of risk”; “cost”; “rural culture”; “fear for reputation”. One unique theme (“emotional state of clients”) was uncovered during Phase 1 only.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Veterinarians are legally obligated to alert horse owners about health and safety issues that may have an impact on them when present in a veterinary work setting.
  • However, due to their unpredictable nature, new zoonotic diseases might require a different communication style.
  • The study suggests incorporating the unique issues associated with dealing with an emerging zoonotic disease in future veterinary communication training programs, highlighting the necessity of ensuring human safety.
  • The study concludes that further research is needed to better understand the communication skills and approaches needed by veterinarians when dealing with emerging zoonoses.

Cite This Article

APA
Mendez DH, Büttner P, Kelly J, Nowak M, Speare Posthumously R. (2017). Difficulties experienced by veterinarians when communicating about emerging zoonotic risks with animal owners: the case of Hendra virus. BMC Vet Res, 13(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0970-2

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 56

Researcher Affiliations

Mendez, Diana H
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. Diana.Mendez@jcu.edu.au.
Büttner, Petra
  • Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia.
  • Tropical Health Solutions Pty Ltd, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia.
Kelly, Jenny
  • College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
  • Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
Nowak, Madeleine
  • College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
Speare Posthumously, Rick

    MeSH Terms

    • Adult
    • Animals
    • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
    • Communication
    • Female
    • Hendra Virus / physiology
    • Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
    • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
    • Henipavirus Infections / virology
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horse Diseases / virology
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • Male
    • Middle Aged
    • Queensland / epidemiology
    • Risk Factors
    • Veterinarians
    • Zoonoses

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 7 times.
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