Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation
Various different methods are currently being used to capture data from small animal consultations. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to record detailed data from consultations by direct observation. A second aim was to investigate the complexity of the consultation by examining the number...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2014
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39333/ |
| _version_ | 1848795813253218304 |
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| author | Robinson, N.J. Brennan, Marnie L. Cobb, M. Dean, Rachel S. |
| author_facet | Robinson, N.J. Brennan, Marnie L. Cobb, M. Dean, Rachel S. |
| author_sort | Robinson, N.J. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Various different methods are currently being used to capture data from small animal consultations. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to record detailed data from consultations by direct observation. A second aim was to investigate the complexity of the consultation by examining the number of problems discussed per patient. A data collection tool was developed and used during direct observation of small animal consultations in eight practices. Data were recorded on consultation type, patient signalment and number of problems discussed. During 16 weeks of data collection, 1901 patients were presented. Up to eight problems were discussed for some patients; more problems were discussed during preventive medicine consultations than during first consultations (P<0.001) or revisits (P<0.001). Fewer problems were discussed for rabbits than cats (P<0.001) or dogs (P<0.001). Age was positively correlated with discussion of specific health problems and negatively correlated with discussion of preventive medicine. Consultations are complex with multiple problems frequently discussed, suggesting comorbidity may be common. Future research utilising practice data should consider how much of this complexity needs to be captured, and use appropriate methods accordingly. The findings here have implications for directing research and education as well as application in veterinary practice. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:38:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-39333 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:38:03Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-393332024-08-15T15:16:02Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39333/ Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation Robinson, N.J. Brennan, Marnie L. Cobb, M. Dean, Rachel S. Various different methods are currently being used to capture data from small animal consultations. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to record detailed data from consultations by direct observation. A second aim was to investigate the complexity of the consultation by examining the number of problems discussed per patient. A data collection tool was developed and used during direct observation of small animal consultations in eight practices. Data were recorded on consultation type, patient signalment and number of problems discussed. During 16 weeks of data collection, 1901 patients were presented. Up to eight problems were discussed for some patients; more problems were discussed during preventive medicine consultations than during first consultations (P<0.001) or revisits (P<0.001). Fewer problems were discussed for rabbits than cats (P<0.001) or dogs (P<0.001). Age was positively correlated with discussion of specific health problems and negatively correlated with discussion of preventive medicine. Consultations are complex with multiple problems frequently discussed, suggesting comorbidity may be common. Future research utilising practice data should consider how much of this complexity needs to be captured, and use appropriate methods accordingly. The findings here have implications for directing research and education as well as application in veterinary practice. BMJ Publishing Group 2014-09-26 Article PeerReviewed Robinson, N.J., Brennan, Marnie L., Cobb, M. and Dean, Rachel S. (2014) Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation. Veterinary Record, 176 (2). p. 48. ISSN 2042-7670 http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/176/2/48 doi:10.1136/vr.102548 doi:10.1136/vr.102548 |
| spellingShingle | Robinson, N.J. Brennan, Marnie L. Cobb, M. Dean, Rachel S. Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title | Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title_full | Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title_fullStr | Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title_short | Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| title_sort | capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39333/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39333/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39333/ |