[DNP Emily Test] Importance of Discussing Costs with Pet Owners

This study sought to determine the prevalence and nature of cost conversations and identify factors associated with their occurrence. Sixty clinicians and 909 pet owners from 55 clinics were surveyed, and 917 appointments were video recorded. Cost conversations identified in videos were categorized by type of care (eg, diagnostic testing, dentistry, surgery, medication, heartworm medication, diet, vaccinations, recheck appointments), whether the pet owner or clinician initiated the conversation, and type of cost conversation (ie, general reference to cost [eg, discounts, price differences], cost in relation to time or service, cost in relation to medical information that would be obtained, cost in relation to the future health and well-being of the patient).

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Findings were consistent with previous study results that indicated clinicians do not often have cost conversations with pet owners, and those who do often focus on the time or service being provided (74%) rather than the future benefit to the patient (14.4%). Estimates were used to prompt conversation in some instances; however, these mostly reviewed the costs, not the benefit, of care.