An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics
Abstract Veterinarians primarily engage pet owners in shared decision-making (SDM) to enhance treatment outcomes and owner satisfaction, but not specifically for antibiotic stewardship. This study aims to understand how SDM occurs and how to better involve pet owners in appropriate antibiotic prescr...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04881-w |
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| author | Huiling Guo Zoe Jane-Lara Hildon Timothy Chua Boon Han Teo Angela Chow |
| author_facet | Huiling Guo Zoe Jane-Lara Hildon Timothy Chua Boon Han Teo Angela Chow |
| author_sort | Huiling Guo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Veterinarians primarily engage pet owners in shared decision-making (SDM) to enhance treatment outcomes and owner satisfaction, but not specifically for antibiotic stewardship. This study aims to understand how SDM occurs and how to better involve pet owners in appropriate antibiotic prescribing for their pets. This is a concurrent mixed methods study, anchoring on survey data collected from 1080 pet cat/dog owners (March─December 2023) supplemented by qualitative insights from 19 veterinarians (January─July 2022). Statistical and thematic analyses were performed. Of those who received antibiotics for their pet during the last veterinary consultation (N = 415), only 22.7% engaged in SDM with their veterinarians on antibiotic prescribing. Pet owners with high degree of control and empowerment to interact with veterinary professionals were more likely to do so. Veterinarians were capable of engaging pet owners in SDM; exploring owners’ needs and feeding concerns was key. Pet owners trusted veterinarians’ final antibiotic decisions and desired appropriate antibiotic prescriptions from them, alongside training and advice on how best to medicate their pets with antibiotics. Proactive exploration of pet owners’ needs and concerns, and providing pet owners with necessary training and advice, can enhance antibiotic stewardship for pet cats and dogs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4901c1dc03a54eb2b4d1ad4e8fb168a4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4901c1dc03a54eb2b4d1ad4e8fb168a42025-08-20T03:03:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-04881-wAn exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinicsHuiling Guo0Zoe Jane-Lara Hildon1Timothy Chua2Boon Han Teo3Angela Chow4Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Office of Clinical Epidemiology, Analytics, and Knowledge, Tan Tock Seng HospitalSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System, National University of SingaporeBeecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency HospitalSingapore Veterinary AssociationDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Office of Clinical Epidemiology, Analytics, and Knowledge, Tan Tock Seng HospitalAbstract Veterinarians primarily engage pet owners in shared decision-making (SDM) to enhance treatment outcomes and owner satisfaction, but not specifically for antibiotic stewardship. This study aims to understand how SDM occurs and how to better involve pet owners in appropriate antibiotic prescribing for their pets. This is a concurrent mixed methods study, anchoring on survey data collected from 1080 pet cat/dog owners (March─December 2023) supplemented by qualitative insights from 19 veterinarians (January─July 2022). Statistical and thematic analyses were performed. Of those who received antibiotics for their pet during the last veterinary consultation (N = 415), only 22.7% engaged in SDM with their veterinarians on antibiotic prescribing. Pet owners with high degree of control and empowerment to interact with veterinary professionals were more likely to do so. Veterinarians were capable of engaging pet owners in SDM; exploring owners’ needs and feeding concerns was key. Pet owners trusted veterinarians’ final antibiotic decisions and desired appropriate antibiotic prescriptions from them, alongside training and advice on how best to medicate their pets with antibiotics. Proactive exploration of pet owners’ needs and concerns, and providing pet owners with necessary training and advice, can enhance antibiotic stewardship for pet cats and dogs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04881-wAntimicrobial resistanceCompanion animalsVeterinary clinicsAntibiotic prescribingShared decision-making |
| spellingShingle | Huiling Guo Zoe Jane-Lara Hildon Timothy Chua Boon Han Teo Angela Chow An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics Scientific Reports Antimicrobial resistance Companion animals Veterinary clinics Antibiotic prescribing Shared decision-making |
| title | An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics |
| title_full | An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics |
| title_fullStr | An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics |
| title_full_unstemmed | An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics |
| title_short | An exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision-making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in Singapore veterinary clinics |
| title_sort | exploratory mixed methods study on shared decision making and antibiotic prescribing for pet cats and dogs in singapore veterinary clinics |
| topic | Antimicrobial resistance Companion animals Veterinary clinics Antibiotic prescribing Shared decision-making |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04881-w |
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