College Connection | Fall 2026
Practising Spectrum of Care: Tools and tips continued from previous page
College Connection | Fall 2026
Practising Spectrum of Care: Tools and tips continued from previous page
in their pet’ s health and can feel empowered to adhere to the treatment plan.
When principles of SDM are used to offer a Spectrum of Care, veterinary care can become more accessible to clients in diverse communities. Employing SDM requires humanistic communication involving listening carefully to clients, encouraging them to ask questions, seeking clarification where required, and giving them space to deliberate and act on the information shared by the veterinary team.
When clients feel able to discuss their own ideas, questions, and concerns for their animal with the veterinary team, without judgment, they are enabled to make the right decision for their own unique circumstance – this requires veterinary teams to meet clients where they are, while maintaining their professional commitment to the welfare of the patient.
Communication tools to practise Spectrum of Care:
• Introduction
• Open-ended inquiry
• Listening
• Empathy
• Partnership
• Summarizing
• Signposting
• Chunk and check
• Presenting options
To help veterinary professionals present options, a visual communication tool called the Value Matrix has been developed 4, 5. The
Value Matrix allows a veterinary professional to visually and verbally present:
• Multiple options for care, including diagnostic, management, and / or treatment options
• Advantages and disadvantages of each option
• Approximate costs associated with each option
In developing a Value Matrix, the veterinary professional should include information about the advantages and disadvantages of each option by combining existing medical evidence and the knowledge they have gathered from the client regarding the patient, themselves, and their situation.
To learn more about the Value Matrix and several communication tools that can support practising Spectrum of Care, read“ Clinical Communication Tools for Contextualizing Spectrum of Care”, published in Advances in Small Animal Care in 2025 by Drs. Jason Coe, Natasha Janke, Carol Gray, and Ruth Serlin.
Shifting away from the“ gold standard” care option may be a change and can feel challenging for some veterinary professionals. However, offering a spectrum of care to clients can increase access to veterinary care and allow for more pets to receive veterinary care. When clients are active participants in the development of a care plan, they are more likely to adhere to the shared plan.
References 1. Fingland RB, Stone LR, Read EK, Moore RM. Preparing veterinary students for excellence in general practice: building confidence and competence by focusing on spectrum of care. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021; 259( 5): 463 – 70. 10.2460 / javma. 259.5.463. 2. Groves CNH, Coe JB, Sutherland KA, Bauman C, Grant LE. Clients prefer collaborative decision-making with veterinarians regardless of appointment type. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2024; 263( 1): 1-11. 10.2460 / javma. 24.06.0421 3. Elwyn G, Durand MA, Song J, et al. A three-talk model for shared decision making: Multistage consultation process. BMJ( Online). 2017; 359:1 – 7. 10.1136 / bmj. j4891. 4. Shaw J, Coe J. Developing Communication Skills for Veterinary Practice. Wiley-Blackwell; 2024. 5. Groves CNH, Phillips EM, Coe JB. The Value Matrix: A communication tool to support shared decision-making and the practice of Spectrum of Care. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2024; 263( 2): 1. 10.2460 / javma. 24.07.0493.
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo. org 5