Pet-related barriers to healthcare and pet attachment in patients presenting to the emergency department.

PURPOSE: This exploratory study examined pet-related barriers to healthcare among emergency department patients and evaluated whether demographic characteristics and pet attachment were associated with these barriers. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Current and former pet owners seeking care at the emergency department completed anonymous surveys assessing pet attachment and barriers to healthcare. Barriers were measured using the Pet-Related Barriers to Healthcare (PRBH) index and attachment was measured using the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS) and Inclusion of Other in Self (IOS) scale. Associations with PRBH scores were evaluated using linear regression, with ordinal logistic regression for sensitivity analysis. Concordance correlations between the two attachment measures were also examined. FINDINGS: Among 108 participants, 24% reported previously experiencing at least one pet-related barrier to healthcare, and 48% anticipated that pet responsibilities could affect future healthcare access. In multivariable analyses, higher PRBH scores were associated with ages older than 30 years, White race, household income below $75,000, and reported barriers to veterinary care. These factors remained associated with PRBH scores after adjusting for attachment scores. Both attachment measures were associated with PRBH scores. These exploratory findings identify relationships that should be confirmed in larger studies and may inform the future development of targeted interventions. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study applies a recently developed measure of pet-related healthcare barriers together with two established attachment measures in an emergency department population, an understudied setting for examining how pet responsibilities may influence healthcare access.