Challenges for the veterinary profession: A grounded theory study of veterinarians’ experiences of caring for older horses
Challenges for the veterinary profession: A grounded theory study of veterinarians’ experiences of caring for older horses
our summary:
Smith, R. et al. (2024) Challenges for the veterinary profession: A grounded theory study of veterinarians’ experiences of caring for older horses. Equine Veterinary Journal.
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how veterinary surgeons in Great Britain approach veterinary care for the ageing horse and to develop a theory that explains the influence veterinary surgeon have on the vet–owner relationship, and on the health and welfare of the older horse.
Qualitative data, collected as part of a larger study investigating how owners and veterinary surgeons make decisions regarding the care of older horses, was analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. A paired approach to sampling was used in the earlier study in which data was gathered from a horse owner and the veterinary surgeon treating that owner’s horse. Data was collected via semi structured in-depth interviews with nine veterinarians and the clinical records of horses belonging to 13 participating owners.
The results of this study are presented under three interconnecting concepts ‘Engaging with owners and their older horse’, ‘Negotiating age-appropriate interventions’, and ‘Seeking to achieve an owner’s adherence to veterinary advice’.
Veterinary surgeons valued regular involvement in the horse’s management however the level of involvement varied as they were reliant on owners actively seeking veterinary care. Where veterinary involvement was sought it focussed on identifying problems and finding solutions. Veterinary surgeons identified owners, and their approach to health and wellbeing, as being the most influential in how the horse was managed.
Veterinary surgeons agreed that age-appropriate interventions had to be negotiated in the context of each horse and owner, as horses all age differently, and owners may have different approaches to the management of their animal. When veterinary surgeons had concerns about a horse, they sought to achieve adherence to their advice whilst maintaining the veterinary surgeon-owner relationship. The interpersonal dimensions of veterinary surgeon-owner interactions shaped, and could also challenge, the delivery of health care services and veterinary surgeons’ own sense of being a professional who cares for animals, and people. Discussions on quality of life were seen as important when there was a welfare concern
Limitations are that the veterinary surgeons involved in the study were recruited based on the horse owner’s involvement with the larger study, therefore they may not be a representative sample. The sample size was also small.
This study shows that the provision of veterinary care for older horses relies on a number of interconnecting factors. A collaborative approach in which the owner and the veterinary surgeon work together to design, and deliver veterinary health care, and in which the different types of knowledge and expertise are equally valued, will benefit the veterinary surgeon: owner relationship and the older horses under their care.
Reference
Smith R. et al. (2024) Becoming a matter of veterinary concern. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11 https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1355996
The following may also be of interest:
Smith, R. et al. (2021) Caring for the older horse: A conceptual model of owner decision making. Animals, 11 (5), 1309 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051309
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