The spectrum of care

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We are very excited to share that this is the 200th episode of The Vet Blast Podcast! We would have never gotten here without the veterinary professionals who listen, share, and are guests on the show, and we look forward to the next 200 episodes.

On this special episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is joined by Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP, a 2023 dvm360 Veterinary Hero, to discuss the spectrum of care, what Englar refers to as a new word for an old concept. Christman and Englar explore what spectrum of care really means.

Although Englar believes the spectrum of care is now becoming buzz words within the industry, it is bringing awareness to a concept that can help improve the care for patients by taking time to better understand what the clients can and cannot do. Maybe they are struggling to give their pet medication or know that their pet needs to visit the veterinarian more, but cannot afford to come or have the transportation required. Learning more about your clients and their home situations can help veterinary professionals better connect and understand patients, improving compliance along the way.

The pair also discusses Englar's role in working with students as well as her out-of-office hobby, ballroom dancing.

Below is a partial transcript. Listen to the full podcast for more.

Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP: Sometimes when you think about spectrum of care, we think, "okay, for that fracture repair, we could do the $1,000, external fixator orthopedic surgeon referral, or, and we think about Plan B, or Plan C, or Plan D…" But I'd really encourage us to think about it beyond just cost. And think about all the other avenues it relates to so whether that's accessibility to care, can clients actually get to the clinic? Can they drive there? Can they get transported there is a specialist around what is their geographical representation in that area? Do we have resources that they can draw upon? Are there language barriers? Are there other barriers to owners being able to give care at home? Right, a lot of times, I remember, as a baby vet, I would just give the clients these are the orders, this is what you're going to do. I never checked in to see if they could do it. And some of my epic failures were when the patients were cats.

I love cats, and I disadvantaged cats so many times because I would say to the owner of this fractious cat, here's a Clavamox pill. You're gonna go home and give the Clavamox. Then you know, 2 weeks later, the cat’s not better and the owner say I didn't give them medicine. And I'm like, "why not?" Right? What happened? And they're like, "well, the cat only takes liquid medications." And I think, oh crap, I could’ve prescribe the liquid. Right? So they're these little thought bubbles that happened with experience of just something as simple as in, what do you need? Can you give the medicine? Are you equipped? What is your time commitment?