Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Ah, I suspect this will take breaking some new ground for all involved, you're right. First, consumers of vet services should have every right to get a short audience with someone they are about to drop hundreds (or thousands over time) of dollars on, don't you think?
It's become painfully apparent that consumers can no longer assume all doctors are going to be completely honest in their recommendations, right? The most obvious are the vets pushing annual vaccination! That's pure greed speaking, as I mention in the episode. Zero science behind such a practice.
Just because society has tended to put doctors on pedestals (and many quite like it up there, I'm certain) doesn't mean a consumer should just assume she'll get her needs met.
Many of my homeopathic colleagues will set up a short, low priced phone consult/interview before they take on a new patient. It's in both party's interests: the vet wants to feel out the owner's expectations and the amount of damage already done to the pet (if they are thinking of hiring a DLR - Doctor of Last Resort). This gives the owner a chance to hear what homeopathy entails and an honest appraisal of the time it'll take to cure a chronically ill animal.
No reason conventional veterinarians couldn't do a similar thing. Worthwhile for both, even if it's just phone time, don't you think?
Are most vets going to offer this? No. Should more people ask for it before committing to a first visit, so they're not coming in blind? I think so, yes.
Once again, this is something that consumers will change, and only by asking for it.