Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
08:59
The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
18.3K
Asking About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care: A Pilot Study
Kate Hodgson1, Marcia Darling2, Douglas Freeman3
11 University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Primary health care providers (PHPs) asking patients about pets improved communication and patient care. This approach revealed clinically relevant information, leveraging pet health benefits (zooeyia) and mitigating zoonotic risks.
Area of Science:
- Human-animal interaction
- Primary health care
- Social determinants of health
Background:
- Pet ownership is prevalent and influences patient well-being.
- Primary health care providers (PHPs) often overlook the impact of pets on patient health.
- Integrating pet-related discussions into patient history can enhance care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore if asking patients about pets improves environmental/social history taking.
- To assess the impact of pet-related inquiries on patient communication and care.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention for PHPs on discussing pets with patients.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 225 PHPs at a continuing medical education (CME) conference and workshops.
- Educational intervention on the clinical relevance of pets.
- Baseline and follow-up electronic surveys measuring awareness, health determinants, rapport, and patient care.
- Statistical analysis including sign test and Fisher's exact test.
Main Results:
- 94 PHPs (42%) completed the study.
- Pet-related discussions enhanced patient communication and rapport.
- Two-thirds of PHPs reported positive practice and relationship effects.
- PHPs could leverage pet health benefits (zooeyia) and manage zoonotic risks.
Conclusions:
- Inquiring about pets reveals clinically relevant information.
- Asking about pets improves communication and strengthens the therapeutic alliance.
- Integrating pet-related discussions is a valuable practice enhancement for PHPs.
Keywords:
activities of daily livingcommunicationenvironmental healthpatient carepetsprimary caresocial capitalsocial environmentsurveys and questionnaireszooeyiaMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
8.2K
The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
8.2K
01:13Patient-centered Care
3.1K
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
3.1K
01:23Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
11.9K
Focusing involves centering a conversation on a message's critical elements or concepts. Focusing is valuable if the talk is vague or patients begin to repeat themselves. Sometimes, when patients are asked about their symptoms, they may go off-topic and try to tell their entire life story. Respectfully, the nurse should bring the conversation back into focus.
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
11.9K
01:25Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
2.7K
Several factors are considered while creating a patient's care plan. Motivation is a factor in improving communication, and patients often require encouragement to try different approaches involving significant change. It is essential to involve the patient and family in decisions about the plan of care to determine whether the suggested methods are acceptable. Consider meeting critical comfort and safety needs before introducing new communication methods and techniques. Allow adequate time...
2.7K
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
404
The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Assessment:
404
01:30Therapeutic Communication
8.9K
Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
8.9K