Exploring the Veterinarian-Client Relationship and the Role of Gender

Presenter Information

Alexandria Cartier, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow

Panel Name

Inequality in the U.S. Today: Seeking Justice, Equality, Treatment, and Redemption

Location

Lecture Center 5

Start Date

3-5-2019 3:15 PM

End Date

3-5-2019 4:45 PM

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Academic Major

Sociology

Abstract

Veterinary medicine is one of the least understood professions from the perspective of the general public. While much exploration has been recorded in human medicine, the veterinarian-client relationship has been studied significantly less. Veterinary medicine lies at the intersection of the medical and service industries since the cost of veterinary care is not mediated by a third-party insurance system. While the veterinarian’s true job is to treat the animal, it is the human client who pays the bill. Pets are property of their human owners by law making the choice of treatment ultimately the owner’s decision, regardless of the veterinarian’s professional advice. This triadic relationship reduces veterinary medical care to a negotiation between client and veterinarian, often based on several mitigating factors including the cost of treatment and prognosis. How does this negotiation differ if the veterinarian is a woman or a man? Since the 1980s veterinary medicine has rapidly feminized despite retaining its masculine mien. While there are now more women in veterinary medicine than ever, sexism continues to bleed into salary negotiations and client expectations. As not only a medical industry, but also a service-based industry, do negotiations in exam rooms differ because of the veterinarian’s gender?

Select Where This Work Originated From

Senior Thesis/Project

First Faculty Advisor

Angie Chung

First Advisor Email

aychung@albany.edu

First Advisor Department

Sociology