Food for Thought
Loss is an inevitable part of life, which we all have experienced at some point.
Remember an incident from your personal loss timeline or from personal experience. Take a few minutes to consider the loss and how you were informed and reflect on the following questions.
- How was the news broken to you?
- Where were you?
- What were your surroundings like?
- How did that make you feel?
The Fact:
Breaking bad news is a skill that veterinary professionals must develop. When done well and with empathy, it is possible to both support your client in a very traumatic situation and develop your practice’s reputation for being compassionate.Think for a Moment
Of late, Mr. Smith has been worrying about Jonathan, a lot. His energy level is reducing day by day and he is clearly getting weaker. Mr. Smith decides not to take any risks and brings Jonathan to a vet.
Upon investigating Jonathan’s physical condition, the vet says "Mr Smith, Jonathan has advanced cancer, there isn't anything I can do for him."
Mr. Smith’s world comes crashing down as this was something he did not expect to hear. He sits shocked in a sense of disbelief while the vet finds himself perplexed.
Do you think the vet could have taken extra care in breaking the sensitive news to Mr. Smith?
