Improving Compliance in Dermatology Cases

Jennie Tait, AHT, RVT, VTS (Dermatology), from Yu of Guelph Veterinary Dermatology in Ontario, Canada, discusses how veterinarians can assist clients with successfully managing their pets' conditions.

Jennie Tait, AHT, RVT, VTS (Dermatology): Owner compliance is probably the biggest challenge that clinics have trying to get success with their derm patients, and it’s a big one. Client communication is key. And it’s not just client communication, it’s client education. It goes back to those time constraints. If you’re working with just a 20-minute appointment, you don’t have time to get the whole job done. So, come up with things that are going to help you, tools to set your clients up for success. Handouts are great. Links to information you may have on your website, really helpful. We send our clients home with a bazillion attachments to their electronic discharge summary. It’s all about client education. If you take the time to explain to the owners what’s going on, they understand the process. Then, they understand how the medication is going to help fix what’s going on. Then, they buy into the program, and they’re part of the solution.