Isn't That Just Medicine? The Art and Science of the Spectrum of Care

Program Speaker: Kate Boatright, VMD

Program Description: Veterinarians are in the unique and challenging position of balancing medicine needs of their patients with the emotional, physical, and financial needs of their clients and their own moral and legal obligations to both. Embracing the spectrum of care can help to accomplish this delicate balancing act.

Spectrum of care is the idea that in every situation there is a range of options - both diagnostically and therapeutically - for patients and clients. More invasive, extensive, and expensive options fall on one end of the spectrum with less invasive, more cost-effective options fall on the other, with a wide range of middle ground options in between. Within this range is the best fit for each individual patient and client. The right choice will maximize the patient's quality of life within the clients limitations.

The key success in practicing along the spectrum of care is communication. Veterinarians and team members must work with clients to determine the best option for their circumstances. This requires eliciting the client's goals and determining potential limitations in providing care, which may include ability to mediate, travel to rechecks or specialty appointments, and pay the bill. It is essential that veterinarians maintain empathy and withhold judgement throughout these conversations and remember that the option a client chooses is not a reflection of the strength of the bond they have with their pet.

Join a practicing, rural small animal veterinarian in a case-based discussion to better understand the spectrum of care and how it can be applied in practice. We will examine the barriers that prevent us from offering a spectrum of care and how to overcome them as well as explore evidence for spectrum of care options and communication techniques that allow us to connect with clients.