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Impact Report: Social Return
Impact Report: Spectrum of Care
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OUR IMPACT
IMPACT REPORT: SPECTRUM OF CARE MEDICINE
Spectrum of Care Medicine Makes Pet Owners Feel Involved in Their Pet's Care
A new research study released by Mission Animal Hospital and the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) found that the practice of Spectrum of Care Medicine makes pet owners feel involved in their pet's care. ​
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99.4% of Mission Animal Hospital clients stated that they believe “Being presented with multiple treatment options makes me feel involved in decisions about my pet's care.”
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Mission clients recognized that they were presented with multiple treatment options. 87.4% stated that at their “most recent visit to Mission Animal Hospital, the veterinary staff discussed more than one treatment option with me.” 12.6% responded false to this question, varying from 11% for urgent care clients, and 13% for appointment clients. This an acceptable percent of clients responding false to this question. In reality, there are times when multiple diagnostic or treatment options are not medically appropriate.
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Pet owners are more likely to be referred to a Spectrum of Care practice for emergent issues. 51% of urgent care clients were referred to Mission by another veterinary clinic, opposed to 13% of appointment clients referred to Mission by another veterinary clinic.
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Being able to receive multiple treatment options was among the reasons clients chose Mission Animal Hospital for their pet’s care. 41% of all responses reported that a “wide variety of treatment options” was among the reasons they chose Mission Animal Hospital. 83.4% chose Mission because of “Lower prices”; 69.5% for “High-quality care”; 46.4% for “Ability to walk in without an appointment”; 42.4% for “Payment plans”; 41% for “Evening or weekend hours”; 12.5% for “Other”.
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Furthermore, many pet owners prioritize pet care over other essential cost of living expenses. ​82.3% of clients reported that they were concerned about affording rent/mortgage, enough food for themselves and their family, gas/transportation, utilities, or their own health care costs in addition to their pet’s care.
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Spectrum of care practice provides an alternative to financial euthanasia, surrender, or forgoing care, particularly with emergent situations.
Of the urgent care clients participating in the study, a total of 63.7% reported that if they hadn’t come to Mission Animal Hospital, they would have considered euthanasia (32.3%), surrender (12%), or forgoing care (29.7%).
Fewer appointment clients would consider these alternatives. 37.2% would consider forgoing care, 3.8% would consider surrender, and 2.5% euthanasia.
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Our conclusion is that providing a Spectrum of Care for emergent cases provides the greatest impact on lives saved and families kept together. While the impact of providing a Spectrum of Care for wellness and general practice appointments creates a greater opportunity for pets to receive regular veterinary care.
Methodology
This report was produced with results from an opt-in survey provided to Mission Animal Hospital clients three days following care through our urgent care service or appointment service. The survey excluded pets who were seen for advanced surgery practice, high-quality high volume spay neuter, or general surgery. The rationale for excluding these services is that clients with pets seen for these services have already determined a course of treatment, and would not be provided additional options going forward.
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151 anonymous responses were collected in March 6-May 5, 2024. The survey was sent to a total of 1,556 clients between March 5, 2024 and May 5, 2024 (response rate of 9.7%). Of the responses, 75 responses were from clients with pets seen on urgent care service, and 76 were from clients with pets seen on appointments service. Margin of error is 8%.
