Veterinary charity RCVS Knowledge is asking vets and vet nurses working in small animal practice to share their views on how vet teams can be supported to deliver care that is adapted to the individual circumstances of each animal and their owner, and the wider context.
The survey is part of an initiative that aims to develop a 'roadmap' for what needs to happen to support veterinary teams to deliver contextualised care and shared decision-making as part of good-quality veterinary care.
The survey will be used alongside in-depth interviews with people in a range of roles in the veterinary sector, including veterinary receptionists and practice managers, to gather insights about what makes it easier or more difficult to practise contextualised care and what could help support its delivery. Pet owners will also be surveyed and invited to focus groups to understand what matters most to them when making decisions about their pets’ health, and what would help them to feel supported to decide the veterinary care that is right for them and their pet.
Sally Everitt, Clinical Lead – Evidence at RCVS Knowledge, said:
“Although the term contextualised care is now being widely used, and a requirement to practise contextualised care is included in the RCVS Guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, there is little information available on how contextualised care is most effectively delivered in practice. Our research aims to address a gap in the evidence about what the barriers and enablers are and what needs to change to support veterinary teams to deliver contextualised care.”
Kate, a cat, dog and horse owner who attended RCVS Knowledge’s National Forum on Contextualised Care in London, where this initiative was launched, said
“I always want to do the ‘right’ thing for my animals and I need professionals to guide me on what that looks like. For me to know that I am doing the right thing, I need to understand what all the options are and how each is likely to affect outcomes.
“I think it’s important for all stakeholders to have a voice and to contribute their views to this work so that fully informed decisions can be made.”
The survey is open to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses currently in clinical practice in the UK working with dogs and cats. The survey can be accessed here until 17 April 2025.