I have been seeing a lot of posts, on Facebook, about the current state of veterinary medicine. There have always been “difficult” clients. In every profession there are those clients that are just challenging. But veterinary medicine is getting pummeled right now. Clients are saying, “You guys are just about the money!” and, “So if I can’t pay then you wont save my dog?!” the always wonderful to hear, “I can’t pay that! I’m just going to have to take them home and shoot them!” and the pervading, “Why is it taking so long?!” are just a few of the phrases heard on a daily basis. And it isn’t just the occasional client. A popular opinion seems to be that the way in which the clients are treating staff at hospitals and clinics is contributing to suicide rates (currently the highest suicide rate in the nation).
While having someone to blame is always alluring for us humans, in my opinion, it’s not that simple. Furthermore, the blame game is not as simple as people like to package it, and it will never be healthy.
Let us break down the client complaints, shall we? Last will be first, “Why is it taking so long?!”
Over 12 million new companions were added to households in 2019/2020 during the pandemic and maybe 5000 new veterinarians were added. Do the math. There aren’t enough veterinarians or support staff to accommodate all the new patients in a “timely” manner. This isn’t going to change any time soon. Holy shit! You know?!
Next! “I can’t pay that, I’m just going to take them home and shoot them!”
While the first inclination is to think, “what an assface!” we might consider that this person is feeling very guilty and needs someone to blame for the feeling of not being able to provide for their friend. This seems weird when we consider that nearly every hospital and shelter have a humane euthanasia policy in which the person does not have to pay. But I have not heard of a lot of places that will allow “owner present” euthanasia when it is free of charge. Even poor people want to be with their companions when they pass. That was sarcastic, but still something to think about…you know?
Last but not least, “So if I can’t pay then you wont save my dog?! You guys are just about the money!”
So…we all know that if people don’t pay their bills, then other people can’t get paid or stay in business. It’s the way that a capitalist society works. However, the two previous client statements are what I believe to be the real issue of veterinary medicine. The problem is, it is absolutely about the money. The majority of veterinary hospitals cannot save/fix/treat a person’s companion unless it is paid for. That is the truth. Veterinarians figuratively must practice medicine with at least one hand tied behind their backs at all times, and then sometime with both hands bound. This is an excruciating truth. Human hospitals receive government subsidies to treat individuals who cannot pay and veterinary hospitals…do not.
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and their support staff are subjected to this absolutely horrible reality. Every. Single. Day. The reality of knowing that if you have a poor client (which lets face it…that is EVERYONE right now) then you will have to sit down and decide which diagnostics are necessary and what tests can be “omitted” because of financial constraints. Will you be able to get a diagnoses? Will you be able to treat after you have spent your entire budget on diagnostics? These are NOT questions that a medical facility should be dealing with on an hourly basis. Doctors want to treat patients. When their hands are tied behind their backs…it is distressing. When there is no end in sight…it is distressing. Is this the clients fault? No.
So who is to blame? There isn’t anyone to blame. Should we be kind to one another? Yes. Should we be blamed for suicide if we are stressed out, have a bad day and yell at someone who’s fault it is not? No. In veterinary medicine we cannot be blaming the individuals who are not only paying for us to be there, but also are dealing with health decisions for their very good friends. When was the last time that you were a ray of sunshine while simultaneously being told that you needed to spend thousands of dollars (that you don’t have) to save the life of one of your very best friends, that you just watched get hit by a vehicle or swallow a rock or try to go pee in several different litter boxes and find that none of them “work”?
Having someone to blame is comfortable. But does it help? I don’t think that it helps.
So now you’re like, “Fuck you, I don’t feel better! What is the solution?!”
In my opinion, the solution (if there even is one) is for all of us is to acknowledge that the situation is bat shit crazy right now. We are not going to fix it with a catch phrase or a pep talk. Understand that you are not just having a bad reaction and everyone else is “just fine”…we are all freaking RIGHT out. Turning on one another is not going to help (it’s actually going to make it worse). WE, clients doctors and all hospital staff alike, are all (as cliche as it may be) truly in this together. Just keep that in mind. It might make you feel better.
Psychosomatically Challenged 