About this Research Topic
The findings from the 2018 Access to Veterinary Care Coalition study highlight the critical importance of addressing barriers to veterinary care, not only for the well-being of pets but also for the mental and emotional health of their human family members. As pets are increasingly viewed as family members, it's essential to recognize the significant impact that limited access to veterinary care can have on vulnerable individuals and their families. Developing sustainable and evidence-based approaches to mitigate these barriers is crucial for promoting the health and welfare of both pets and their human companions.
The findings from the 2018 Access to Veterinary Care Coalition study underscore the significant overlap between financial hardship and barriers to veterinary care, particularly for families relying on public assistance programs. Embracing One Health strategies that consider the holistic well-being of both pets and their families, especially those facing socio-economic challenges, is crucial for improving access to veterinary care.
Interprofessional collaborations among veterinary service providers, social service agencies, animal welfare organizations, and other stakeholders offer promising avenues for addressing these barriers comprehensively. By pooling expertise and resources, these partnerships can develop and implement effective strategies to enhance access to veterinary care for underserved families and their pets.
Contributors to this Research Topic have the opportunity to explore and evaluate various approaches aimed at reducing barriers to veterinary care. Their research efforts will not only advance our understanding of evidence-based practices but also contribute to the development of more inclusive and sustainable veterinary care systems for vulnerable populations.
The Access to Veterinary Care Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, qualitative and quantitative studies addressing:
• The Human-Animal Bond
• Validation of veterinary service delivery models, including payment options
• Companion animal welfare, public health, and society
• One Health collaborations as a paradigm to improve access to veterinary care, including veterinary social work
• Validation of spectrum of care/incremental veterinary care protocols and guidelines as effective patient management strategies
• The roles of veterinary and social work education in improving access to veterinary care
• Cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine and animal welfare
• Programs that mitigate barriers to veterinary care in urban, suburban/small town, and rural communities
• Use of technology in improving access to veterinary care, e.g., virtual healthcare/telehealth
• The impacts that lack of access to veterinary care have on the well-being of veterinary care teams
Keywords: one-health, animal welfare, veterinary social work, human-animal bond, community partnerships, remove barriers to veterinary care, incremental veterinary care
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.