Patient-Friendly Practice

This course will cover a variety of important topics that will assist you in implementing a low-stress approach to dogs and cats for handling and procedures. Offering a background in canine and feline behaviour, working through the many aspects of low-stress techniques, and sharing and discussing cases – you will come away with a clear idea of how to implement a protocol in your place of work.

Aimed at those working in veterinary practice, but also applicable to anyone working with dogs and cats.

Why Patient-Friendly Practice?

We all understand that it is our moral duty to ensure we do the very best for our patients – clinically and emotionally.

We have all seen those stressed pets that come into the practice, and they can be challenging to manage, especially when we need to ‘get things done’. We have been historically led to consider them as ‘bad’, ‘naughty’, ‘nasty’ – and can forget how the pet’s reaction to coming to the practice is all in response to fear. They come to the practice, something bad happens, they became afraid. No-one understands their signals, they feel more under pressure every time they visit the clinic, and they lose the ability to cope. Very rapidly you have a patient that is in a heightened state of anxiety, resulting in even simple clinical examination being difficult.

That’s not good for the pet, the owner, the practice or you. It’s stressful (and even dangerous) for everyone, and also leaves us feeling sad and guilty that we might not have done our best for that patient.

How many clients don’t revisit due to pet stress?

Pet owners also hate to see their pets afraid, and stressful clinic visits will often prevent clients from bringing their pets to the practice when they need medical attention. Your clients will appreciate your commitment to ensuring their pet’s visits are as easy for them as possible.

That is why it is so important to follow ‘Patient-Friendly’ techniques as a professional and as a practice