FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Flemish equine veterinarians’ perceptions on the use o...
Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13992

Flemish equine veterinarians’ perceptions on the use of and client communication about complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.

Abstract: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is increasingly popular in horses. As CAVM usage could have risks, client-veterinarian communication about CAVM is crucial. Objective: Evaluating equine veterinarians' attitude towards CAVM, their CAVM usage and veterinarian-client communication about CAVM. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted among equine veterinarians providing ambulatory care on a daily or weekly basis. The first section of the survey included questions about the veterinarians' attitude towards CAVM and their CAVM usage. The second section focused on veterinary-client communication about CAVM. Results: When herbs are included as CAVM modality, 83% of the participants applied CAVM. Nighty-eight percent had already communicated with horse owners about CAVM and 81% agreed to be open to talk about CAVM. However, 95% agreed that sometimes CAVM usage takes place without disclosure to the veterinarian. The majority of participants communicated about CAVM on a weekly (40%) or daily (22%) basis, most often in person during consultations (99%) or via phone (32%). The median percentage of conversations about CAVM initiated by the owner was 50% (range 50%-80%). When the veterinarian initiated the conversation, this was usually by mentioning it as a treatment option, mostly in addition to conventional treatments. Some participants directly asked about CAVM use in the information-gathering phase. Conclusions: A convenience sample was used due to lack of data on the number of equine veterinarians in Flanders. Potential favourability bias with higher participation of veterinarians interested in CAVM. Conclusions: Equine veterinarians generally had a positive attitude towards CAVM use, although this depended on the specific modality. Veterinarian-client communication about CAVM occurs frequently in ambulatory care. An open dialogue with horse owners about CAVM is important to provide information about CAVM and thus enable them to make informed decisions concerning CAVM usage, together with their veterinarian. Unassigned: La médecine complémentaire et alternative (CAVM) est de plus en plus populaire chez les équins. Comme l'utilisation de la CAVM peut entrainer des risques, la communication entre le vétérinaire et le client à propros de la CAVM est cruciale. Objective: Évaluer l'attitude des vétérinaires équins par rapport à la CAVM, leur utilisation de la CAVM et leur communication aux clients en lien avec la CAVM. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Étude transversale. MÉTHODES: Un sondage téléphonique des vétérinaires équins fournissant un service ambulatoire journalier ou hebdomadaire a été fait. La première partie du sondage incluait l'attitude des vétérinaires vis-à-vis la CAVM et leur usage de la CAVM. La seconde partie se concentrait sur la communication vétérinaire-client à propos de la CAVM. RÉSULTATS: Lorsque les herbes étaient incluses en tant que modalités de la CAVM, 83% des participants appliquaient la CAVM. Quatre-vingt-dix-huit pourcents avaient déjà parlé de la CAVM avec des propriétaires de chevaux et 81% étaient ouvert à l'idée d'en parler à leur client. Par contre, 95% étaient d'accord pour dire que la CAVM est parfois utilisée sans le mentionner au client. La majorité des participants parlaient de la CAVM sur une base hebdomadaire (40%) ou journalière (22%), le plus souvent durant les rendez-vous (99%) ou par téléphone (32%). Le pourcentage médian de conversations initiées par les propriétaires, à propos de la CAVM était de 50% (étendu 50-80%). Lorsque le vétérinaire initiait la conversation à ce sujet, c'était le plus souvent en mentionnant la CAVM comme option de traitement, plus particulièrement comme étant un ajout aux traitements conventionnels. Certains participants ont demandé de l'information directement à propos de la CAVM durant la phase de récolte de l'information. Unassigned: Un échantillon de convenance a été utilisé en raison du manque de données par rapport au nombre de vétérinaires équins dans les Flandres. Biais favorable possible en cas de participation plus élevée des vétérinaires intéressés par la CAVM. Conclusions: Les vétérinaires équins ont généralement une attitude positive par rapport à la CAVM, parfois dépendant spécifiquement de la modalité de traitement. Les communications vétérinaire-client à propos de la CAVM se produisent très fréquemment en pratique ambulatoire. Un discours ouvert avec les propriétaires de chevaux à propos de la CAVM est important afin de fournir de l'information sur la CAVM et de ce fait, leur permettre de faire une décision éclairée en ce qui à trait à l'utilisation de la CAVM, en accord avec leur vétérinaire.
© 2023 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-09-02 PubMed ID: 37658704DOI: 10.1111/evj.13992Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

This research article examines how Flemish equine veterinarians view and communicate with their clients about Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM). The study found that these veterinarians often use and discuss CAVM, and underscored the importance of open dialogues between veterinarians and horse owners for informed decisions on CAVM usage.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

  • The main objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate Flemish equine veterinarians’ attitudes towards CAVM, their use of CAVM and the frequency and method of their communication with clients about CAVM.
  • A telephone survey was carried out amongst veterinarians who provide ambulatory care to horses on either a daily or weekly basis. The survey was divided into two parts: one focusing on veterinarians’ attitudes towards and use of CAVM, the other on how they communicated with clients about CAVM.

Key Findings

  • The results showed high levels of CAVM use by veterinarians – as much as 83%, when including herbs as a CAVM modality. Regular communication between veterinarians and horse owners about CAVM was also reported, with 98% of participants having discussed it with clients.
  • A majority of the veterinarians agreed to be open about discussing CAVM with their clients (81%) and the discussions were primarily during consultations or over the phone. The frequently discussed CAVM topics were initiated half the time by the horse owners themselves.
  • The veterinarians typically brought up CAVM as an additional treatment option alongside conventional therapies. Occasionally, they also asked clients directly about CAVM usage while gathering information.
  • Despite this, it was noted with concern that often (95% agreed) CAVM is used by clients without the veterinarian’s knowledge, highlighting the need for better communication about CAVM.

Conclusion and Limitations

  • The study concluded that Flemish equine veterinarians generally hold a positive attitude towards using and discussing CAVM with their clients. The specific type of CAVM modality though, did influence this attitude.
  • The study also highlighted the need for frequent and transparent conversations about CAVM between veterinarians and horse owners, to enable well-informed decisions.
  • However, the conclusions must be viewed in light of some admitted limitations. Firstly, the study uses a convenience sample, due to the lack of data on the total number of equine veterinarians in Flanders. Secondly, there could be a potential favorability bias if the survey was more likely to be completed by veterinarians who were pro-CAVM in their approach to veterinary care.

Cite This Article

APA
Keller P, Hudders L, Decloedt A. (2023). Flemish equine veterinarians’ perceptions on the use of and client communication about complementary and alternative veterinary medicine. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13992

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Keller, Pia
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Hudders, Liselot
  • Centre for Persuasive Communication, Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Decloedt, Annelies
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Grant Funding

  • BOFSTG2018000801 / Special Research Fund Ghent University

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Brennan MC, Chambers D, Christley R, Penfold H. A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence of and motivations for using alternative medicines by equine owners on their animals.. Equine Vet J 2018;50(S52):8.
  2. Bergenstrahle A, Nielsen BD. Attitude and behavior of veterinarians surrounding the use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine in the treatment of equine musculoskeletal pain.. J Equine Vet Sci 2016;45:87-97.
  3. Gilberg K, Bergh A, Sternberg-Lewerin S. A questionnaire study on the use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine for horses in Sweden.. Animals 2021;11:3113.
  4. Coleman HJ, Rogers CW, Gee EK. The use of alternative therapies in racing thoroughbreds.. Proc N Z Soc Anim Prod 2006;66:279-283.
  5. Thirkell J, Hyland R. A survey examining attitudes towards equine complementary therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.. J Equine Vet Sci 2017;59:82-87.
  6. Keller P, Vanwesenbeeck I, Hudders L, Decloedt A. Horse owners' attitudes towards and motivators for using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.. Vet Rec 2021;189(2):e303.
  7. Meredith K, Bolwell CF, Rogers CW, Gee EK. The use of allied health therapies on competition horses in the North Island of New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2011;59:123-127.
  8. Knight N. The behaviours and attitudes surrounding the use of equine complementary and alternative medicine amongst horse-carers in the Auckland region.. Auckland: Unitec Institute of Technology; 2011.
  9. Bergh A, Lund I, Bostrom A, Hyytiäinen H, Asplund K. A systematic review of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine: “miscellaneous therapies”.. Animals (Basel) 2021;11(12):3356.
  10. Keller P, Vanwesenbeeck I, Decloedt A. Surveying dog owners' use and understanding of, and communication with veterinarians about, complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.. Vet Rec 2022;192(11):e2343.
  11. Zollman C, Vickers A. Complementary medicine and the patient.. BMJ 1999;319:1486-1489.
  12. Lana SE, Kogan LR, Crump KA, Graham JT, Robinson NG. The use of complementary and alternative therapies in dogs and cats with cancer.. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006;42(5):361-365.
  13. Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs.. J Clin Pharm Ther 2002;27:391-401.
  14. Pearson W. Concurrent use of veterinary drugs and herbal medicines in racing standardbreds.. Can Vet J 2009;50:1283-1285.
  15. Williams CA, Lamprecht ED. Some commonly fed herbs and other functional foods in equine nutrition: a review.. Vet J 2008;178:21-31.
  16. Robinson A, McGrail MR. Disclosure of CAM use to medical practitioners: a review of qualitative and quantitative studies.. Complement Ther Med 2004;12:90-98.
  17. Kidd JR. Alternative medicines for the geriatric veterinary patient.. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2012;42:809-822, viii.
  18. Coe JB, Adams CL, Bonnett BN. A focus group study of veterinarians' and pet owners' perceptions of veterinarian-client communication in companion animal practice.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008;233:1072-1080.
  19. Chan YH. Biostatistics 104: correlational analysis.. Singapore Med J 2003;44:614-619.
  20. Tabor G. Routine equine physiotherapy.. Equine Vet Educ 2018;32:349-351.
  21. McGowan CM, Stubbs NC, Jull GA. Equine physiotherapy: a comparative view of the science underlying the profession.. Equine Vet J 2007;39:90-94.
  22. Memon MA, Sprunger LK. Survey of colleges and schools of veterinary medicine regarding education in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011;239:619-623.
  23. Gyles C. Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.. Can Vet J 2020;61:345-346.
  24. Shelley BM, Sussman AL, Williams RL, Segal AR, Crabtree BF, Clinicians RN. ‘They don't ask me so I don't tell them’: patient-clinician communication about traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine.. Ann Fam Med 2009;7:139-147.
  25. Kelak JA, Cheah WL, Safii R. Patient's decision to disclose the use of traditional and complementary medicine to medical doctor: a descriptive phenomenology study.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018;2018:4735234.
  26. Mackenzie G, Parkinson M, Lakhani A, Pannekoek H. Issues that influence patient/physician discussion of complementary therapies.. Patient Educ Couns 1999;38:155-159.
  27. Lupton D. Consumerism, reflexivity and the medical encounter.. Soc Sci Med 1982;1997(45):373-381.
  28. Halpin SNP, Nivedita R, Bergquist SH, Jarrett T. Use and factors associated with non-disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine among older adults.. Educ Gerontol 2019;46(1):18-25.
  29. Davis EL, Oh B, Butow PN, Mullan BA, Clarke S. Cancer patient disclosure and patient-doctor communication of complementary and alternative medicine use: a systematic review.. Oncologist 2012;17:1475-1481.
  30. Schofield P, Diggens J, Charleson C, Marigliani R, Jefford M. Effectively discussing complementary and alternative medicine in a conventional oncology setting: communication recommendations for clinicians.. Patient Educ Couns 2010;79:143-151.
  31. Shaw JR. Four core communication skills of highly effective practitioners.. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2006;36:385-396, vii.
  32. Nickels BM, Feeley TH. Breaking bad news in veterinary medicine.. Health Commun 2018;33:1105-1113.
  33. Pun JKH. An integrated review of the role of communication in veterinary clinical practice.. BMC Vet Res 2020;16:394.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.