NM02 - Small Animal Veterinarians Identify Proactive, Specific, and Multimodal Communication as Helpful in Nutrition Conversations

Abstract:

Background: When nutrition can impact health and disease processes, veterinary practitioners may recommend diet change. However, these recommendations are not always well received by pet owners.

Objectives: To help determine what factors were the most important barriers to this communication, and to identify potential solutions Animals: 561 veterinary practitioner respondents from the USA and Canada

Methods: An anonymous internet survey was circulated on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) during 2022. Veterinary respondents identified both fixed choice options for most common barriers and solutions to communication, as well as filling out free-text response options. The free-text response options were thematically grouped by an independent coder using Atlas.TI software.

Results: The top 3 barriers identified were preconceived notions about nutrition (86% [483/561]), insufficient time during clinical appointments to discuss nutrition concerns (63% [352/561]), and owner resistance to discussing nutrition with veterinary personnel (41% [230/561]). The top 3 solutions identified by survey respondents to overcome barriers in pet nutrition communication during small-animal veterinary appointments were showing pet owners what veterinarians and pet care teams feed their pets (59% [332/561]), having honest conversations (58% [327/561]), and being specific with nutrition recommendations (49% [274/561]). Free-text responses also clarified nuances within these choices, identified several veterinary professional resources that were reported to be helpful, and highlighted how various stakeholders can contribute to improving nutrition discussions. Conclusions/clinical importance: The details of these communication recommendations highlight how various stakeholders, including those not immediately in the clinic, can improve nutrition discussions.