Problem-oriented Exotic Companion Animal Practice

Abstract

Problem-oriented veterinary medicine is a method of hypothetico-deductive clinical reasoning that can be recorded and easily understood by others. It is a stepwise process of gathering case information; defining problems; making plans for diagnosis, treatment, and client education; and evaluating patient progress over time. This explicit method of diagnostic reasoning forms the basis of evidence-based veterinary medicine and informed decision making. The goal of this article is to describe how problem-oriented veterinary medicine can help veterinarians refine case information into a diagnosis, satisfy the concerns of their clients, and provide the best possible quality of life for their exotic companion animal patients.

Key words: DAMNIT, decision making, exotic companion animal, medical records, problem-oriented veterinary medicine, SOAP