Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom

Veterinary receptionists and veterinary nurses rarely feature in published practice-based research, yet are integral to small animal veterinary practice in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of UK-based owners and veterinary surgeons about veterinary n...

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Main Authors: Belshaw, Zoe, Robinson, Natalie J., Dean, Rachel S., Brennan, Marnie L.
Format: Article
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52241/
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author Belshaw, Zoe
Robinson, Natalie J.
Dean, Rachel S.
Brennan, Marnie L.
author_facet Belshaw, Zoe
Robinson, Natalie J.
Dean, Rachel S.
Brennan, Marnie L.
author_sort Belshaw, Zoe
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Veterinary receptionists and veterinary nurses rarely feature in published practice-based research, yet are integral to small animal veterinary practice in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of UK-based owners and veterinary surgeons about veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to their role in preventative healthcare. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 dog and cat owners and 14 veterinary surgeons. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Reception staff were identified as having a range of important roles, from rapport building to providing healthcare information and advice. The perceived importance of those roles appeared to differ between owners and veterinary surgeons. Veterinary nurses were described as performing a diversity of roles in relation to preventative healthcare, both in the reception area and in the consulting room. Many owners, and some veterinary surgeons, expressed uncertainty about the remit and status of veterinary nurses in relation to providing veterinary advice. This study identifies for the first time the degree of responsibility for preventative healthcare given to veterinary receptionists and veterinary nurses in UK small animal practices. Further work is needed involving reception and nursing staff to fully appreciate and define their roles in small animal practice.
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spelling nottingham-522412020-05-04T19:45:05Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52241/ Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom Belshaw, Zoe Robinson, Natalie J. Dean, Rachel S. Brennan, Marnie L. Veterinary receptionists and veterinary nurses rarely feature in published practice-based research, yet are integral to small animal veterinary practice in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of UK-based owners and veterinary surgeons about veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to their role in preventative healthcare. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 dog and cat owners and 14 veterinary surgeons. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Reception staff were identified as having a range of important roles, from rapport building to providing healthcare information and advice. The perceived importance of those roles appeared to differ between owners and veterinary surgeons. Veterinary nurses were described as performing a diversity of roles in relation to preventative healthcare, both in the reception area and in the consulting room. Many owners, and some veterinary surgeons, expressed uncertainty about the remit and status of veterinary nurses in relation to providing veterinary advice. This study identifies for the first time the degree of responsibility for preventative healthcare given to veterinary receptionists and veterinary nurses in UK small animal practices. Further work is needed involving reception and nursing staff to fully appreciate and define their roles in small animal practice. BMJ Publishing Group 2018-09-30 Article PeerReviewed Belshaw, Zoe, Robinson, Natalie J., Dean, Rachel S. and Brennan, Marnie L. (2018) Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Record, 183 (9). ISSN 2042-7670 Preventative healthcare; Dog; Cat; Veterinary receptionist; Veterinary nurse https://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/183/9/296 doi:10.1136/vr.104773 doi:10.1136/vr.104773
spellingShingle Preventative healthcare; Dog; Cat; Veterinary receptionist; Veterinary nurse
Belshaw, Zoe
Robinson, Natalie J.
Dean, Rachel S.
Brennan, Marnie L.
Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title_full Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title_fullStr Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title_short Owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the United Kingdom
title_sort owner and veterinary surgeon perspectives on the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists in relation to small animal preventative healthcare consultations in the united kingdom
topic Preventative healthcare; Dog; Cat; Veterinary receptionist; Veterinary nurse
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52241/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52241/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52241/