The Elephant in the Room: Money in the Veterinarian-Client Relationship
Promoting standards of excellence in the treatment of patients while remaining sensitive to clients’ economic realities can be challenging and stressful. Financial issues are often fraught with secrecy and high emotion; however, research on clinician-patient interactions indicates that the willingness and ability to discuss economic issues and limitations is an important component of a productive relationship. Being aware of the complexity and emotional nature of discussing monetary issues, particularly during difficult economic times, is a first step in mastering procedures to discuss monetary issues with clients more comfortably and productively. This presentation offers several options for successfully managing this so-called elephant in the room.
About Dr. Brandt
Dr. Jennifer Brandt is leading the effort to provide veterinary professionals with the communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills needed to promote quality veterinary care and veterinary career success. Her professional counseling, consultation and mediation services offer applied learning opportunities to increase self-awareness, improve work/life balance, resolve conflict, foster veterinary teambuilding and enhance veterinary team communication, while promoting a culture of superior client service that enhances veterinary client satisfaction.
Dr. Brandt is a nationally and internationally acclaimed guest lecturer at veterinary colleges and conferences worldwide and has served as a senior trainer and facilitator for the Bayer Institute for Healthcare Communication Faculty Development Program since 2003.
Dr. Brandt previously served as a medical social worker, educator and researcher specializing in work with survivors of crime and trauma and bereavement facilitation. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Indianapolis and her master’s and doctoral degrees in social work from The Ohio State University.