Prognostication in Veterinary Practice

A Survey of Veterinary Surgeons and Animal Owners

Accurate communication between veterinary surgeons and animal owners is of utmost importance in the practice of veterinary medicine. In the area of communicating prognosis this is especially true. The results of this study will hopefully improve this area of communication. In order to take this survey you must be 18 years or older, and be either a Veterinary Surgeon who regularly treats dogs, cats, horse or cattle, or an Animal Owner who currently owns dogs, cats, horses or cattle.

Your time in completing this survey is very much appreciated. If you would like to be informed of the results then please enter your email address in the appropriate area below. If you have any questions about this study please see the accompanying blog post at Equine-Vets.com. This study is being co-ordinated by Alex Young MRCVS.

What Is Your Gender? Gender Not Selected

Select One

How Old Are You? Age Not Selected

Select One

Are You A Veterinary Surgeon or Animal Owner? Profession Not Selected

Select One. If you are both a Veterinary Surgeon and an Animal Owner please select Veterinary Surgeon.

What is your highest level of education?Education Not Selected

Select One

What is your profession?Career Not Selected

Your Animals Animals Not Selected

What Animals Do You Own? Animals Not Selected

What Animals Do You Treat? Animals Not Selected

Select all that apply

Prognosis All Prognoses Not Selected

Please select whether you are a Veterinary Surgeon or Animal Owner above.

Imagine one of your animals has just been diagnosed with a condition by your vet. He/She uses the phrases presented below to describe your animal's prognosis. Move the slider to the position you think each statement represents, where furthest left is 0% chance of recovery, and furthest right is 100% chance of recovery. After you have moved the slider, press Next... to move to the next statement.

Imagine you have just diagnosed a condition in a client's animal. You use the phrases below to describe the animal's prognosis to the owner. Move the slider to the position you think each statement represents, where furthest left is 0% chance of recovery, and furthest right is 100% chance of recovery. After you have moved the slider, press Next... to move to the next statement.

There will be a total of six sliders to move.

Your animal has an excellent chance of recovery.

Your animal has a good chance of recovery.

Your animal has a fair chance of recovery.

Your animal has a guarded chance of recovery.

Your animal has a poor chance of recovery.

Your animal has a grave chance of recovery.

Thank you for your responses, please continue to the end of the survey and press Submit

Preferences Preference Not Selected

Please select whether you are a Veterinary Surgeon or Animal Owner above.

Would you prefer to be told your animal's prognosis as a percentage, e.g. your animal has a 40% chance of recovery, or using natural language, e.g. your animal has an excellent chance of recovery.

Would you prefer to communicate your patients' prognoses as a percentage, e.g. your animal has a 40% chance of recovery, or using natural language, e.g. your animal has an excellent chance of recovery.

Select One

Contact Details

If you would like to be contacted with results of this study then please enter your email address.


Survey Not CompletedPlease ensure you have filled in every question and then press Submit again.

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