Barriers to the delivery of contextualised care in UK small animal veterinary practice

One-sentence summary: This paper reports on the perceived barriers to the delivery of contextualised care in UK small animal veterinary practice. Abstract: Objective: To identify the main barriers to the delivery of contextualised care in UK small animal veterinary practice, and to understand how these are experienced in practice. Background: The term contextualised care was introduced in the veterinary context in a published article by members of Veterinary Humanities UK. Although the term has been widely adopted there has been no explicit research into contextualised care in practice. Evidentiary value: This paper presents the first empirical evidence using quantitative and qualitative data on the barriers to contextualised care as perceived by over 400 veterinary professionals and over 700 dog and cat owners. This evidence should help veterinary teams to identify potential barriers to the delivery of contextualised care. Methods: The study used a mixed methods approach analysing data from questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. Results: The most frequently reported barriers related to lack of continuity of care and financial constraints, but the research also found that fear of regulatory scrutiny, missed or incorrect diagnoses, and client complaints could act as a barrier to adapting care to the individual animal, owner, and context. The study found some variation in the barriers encountered based on experience, role, and practice type. Conclusion: Overcoming the barriers to contextualised care will require support at all levels, including from professional bodies, educators, and those with leadership positions in veterinary practice. Application: This research should help veterinary teams to overcome potential barriers to the delivery of contextualised care.