Elephant in the room-money and vet/client relationsip

Question 1

ADOBE

Answer 1

Acknowledging problems
Discovering meanings
Opportunities for compassion
Boundaries
Extending the system

Question 2

Techniques for acknowledging problems

Answer 2

1. Be aware of your cues and clues
   - internal signals, understand your triggers, challenged personal identities, clients frustration is situation-not you
2. Be aware of your clients cues and clues
   - Repetition, silence, body language
3. Accept the challenge
   - acknowledging situation doesn’t take extra time or mean you have to fix it

Question 3

Techniques for Discovering meanings

Answer 3

1. Financial ramifications have meaning for client
2. Financial ramifications have meaning for vet
3. Find common ground in the two meanings

Question 4

Techniques for finding opportunities for compassion

Answer 4

1. Recognize opportunities in emotional moments
   - Listen for repetitions
2. Elements of empathy
   - Reflect on the situation
   - Reflect on feelings/thoughts
   - Verify with client
   - Legitimize thoughts and feelings
   - Respect efforts to cope
   - Offer support and partnersip

Question 5

Techniques for adjusting boundaries

Answer 5

1. Time: Invest time now
   - pay now or pay later
2. Roles: Clarify client expectations of veterinarian
3. Open boundaries around content: raise the topic
4. Close boundaries around content: Redirect if necessary
5. Develop clear practice policies

Question 6

Techniques for extending the system

Answer 6

1. Is additional help needed?
   - referral to cheaper clinic, pet insurance, payment plan, have printed resources on hand
2. What are possible resources?
   - family/friends, other vet professionals, community support