Researchers examined human medical and veterinary records from 2019 to 2022 to measure whether offering veterinary services affected whether clients also sought health care for themselves. The study was led by nurse scientist and University of Washington postdoctoral researcher Natalie Rejto. It focused on clients at the One Health Clinic in downtown Seattle.
Results showed a strong link between pet care availability and human health visits. Nearly 80% of all visits to the integrated clinics resulted in clients receiving human health care, although 69% of clients had intended to seek care only for their pets. Of 88 human clients who visited during the study period, 75 visited a health care provider and 40 established care for the first time in at least two years.
More than half of human patients had not seen a doctor in over two years. Of those patients, 85% scheduled nonemergency follow-up appointments. Overall, 85% of clients attended at least one nonemergency follow-up within two years.
Difficult words
- homelessness — Not having a home or place to live.
- pursue — To seek or try to achieve something.
- veterinary — Related to the medical care of animals.
- inclined — To show or suggest something.
- integrated — Combined or united in one system.
- preventive — Intended to stop something before it happens.
- trust — Belief in the reliability or truth of someone.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can veterinary services help people in need?
- What are the benefits of integrated health models?
- Why is trust important in healthcare?
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