Senior clinic help...

Re: Senior clinic help...

Maisy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:17 GMT

I think senior clinics run best with full support from vets and receptionists (or whoever works in reception), if they aren't mentioned or advocated to clients, they don't always run as well as they should.

Set up a questionnaire (you can do your own, Vetplus do one too which you could use, or add other questions on to) and to be really thorough, the questions may take some time for the client to fill out but you can often gauge a better response here than just asking straight questions. I found senior clinics to be more successful with the older clients. Often they were worried that by seeing the vet, the vet would find a multitude of nasty conditions and often were too scared to come in! Reassure the client that the purpose of the senior clinic is to keep on top of their pets health, and if problems are noted that they are dealt with swiftly. This can be a great reassurance, esp to the older folk whose pets may be their only companion.

If your boss(es) allow, offering discount bloods/BP/urinalysis can really help improve owner interest in these clinics. Even discount vet consults will help should you need to refer the client on to the vet. Luckily my last boss was really keen on these clinics so was able to offer urinalysis/BP at a discount as standard, then bloods if indicated or the owner wanted them.

Re: Senior clinic help...

les punton — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:14:58 GMT

we had a display in the waiting room and also a leaflet that went home with everything over 8 to say we ran them. we offered a package price (cant remember what it was though) of urine, bloods, blood pressure and health check, with a note of what it would cost normally, it flagged up quite a few problems before any clinical signs.

clients liked talking to the nurse, it was also a chance to recommend flea, worm etc

however did get attatched to some of the more frequent ones!

Re: Senior clinic help...

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:59:45 GMT

i'm looking into them at the mo, its one of the only clinics that we don't do, mainly staff compliance which is really frustrating. its amazing how many receptionists/nurses/vets don't think this is an important area to cover

how did you run them previously? we have tried foc nurse clinics with foc urine dip/sg and reduced price bloods. this didn't stick as ppl stopped offering them...my next trick was to get ppl to book them in at the same time as a booster and offer as above with disc off senior food too. amazing how so many ppl think its 'just old age' and let their pet (or clients pets) have a lower qol as a result!

rant over!

Re: Senior clinic help...

les punton — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:51:56 GMT

iv tried to set one up with lack of support from my boss's. we use to run them at my old practice and they were a great sucess. I love older animals!

Re: Senior clinic help...

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:41:30 GMT

hmmm, interesting!!! have you set something like these up?? i have just printed it off n stuck it under the vets nose.....

Re: Senior clinic help...

Stuart McQueen RVN MBVNA — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:12:28 GMT

whoa... never mind... the endless searching paid off...

for anyone interested the veterinary practice is...

http://www.fernleavets.co.uk/

Stux