Veterinary session

The aim of my thesis is to assess the knowledge and opinions of Hungarian animal keepers about the education of veterinarians and certain conditions of veterinary work. Furthermore to examine how their knowledge and opinions influence their satisfaction about veterinary care.

The survey was performed with an online questionnaire and 2311 useful answers were received. Because of this large sample it is possible to reach comprehensive conclusions. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions, 5 of which related to the respondent's demographic data.

64% of the respondents do not know that there is only one veterinary university in Hungary, but 55% know that veterinary training lasts 5.5 years.

Most of the respondents (25%) think that a new X-ray machine costs HUF 1-2 million. 11% wrote an amount below HUF 1 million.

According to 67.3% of respondents, there is a shortage of veterinarians in Hungary.

72.8% of the respondents have the correct knowledge that the veterinarian can refuse care, unless the animal is in a life-threatening condition, and 63% chose that the veterinary clinics are private properties.

85% of those who completed the survey were rather satisfied or very satisfied with veterinary care. People's satisfaction is positively affected if they have a veterinarian in their family or in their circle of close friends. Furthermore if they know how long the university training takes and if they know that the veterinarian can refuse care, except if the animal is in a life-threatening condition. People who believe there is a shortage of veterinarians are less satisfied with veterinary care than those who believe there is no shortage. Moreover, those who indicated a smaller amount of the average net monthly salary of a small animal practice veterinarian are more satisfied than those who indicated a higher amount. Animal owners' own income has no effect on their satisfaction.

Based on the results, we can see that the owner’s knowledge about veterinary training and work is still incomplete. Also, the animal keepers' knowledge of the profession has an impact on their satisfaction. We can use these results to educate the owners and improve our communication with them. This way, we can influence the opinion of pet owners, increase their satisfaction, reduce the stress on us and increase the income of our practice.