Fear Free Level 2 Course Overview
HomeFear Free Level 2 Course Overview
Fear Free Level 2 Course Overview
The Level 2 course is designed for Fear Free Certified Professionals who are ready to take their knowledge to the next level. Modules in this course are a result of direct feedback we received from many of our professionals voicing their need for more in-depth education in the areas of patient handling, advanced handling techniques, in-hospital care, communications, marketing, and finance. In addition to step-by-step procedures, the modules feature numerous videos detailing procedures, handling techniques, and client communication examples.
RACE-approved for 7 hours of CE, the Level 2 course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to further enhance Fear Free implementation in your practice.
Module 1: Considerate Approach, Touch Gradient & Gentle Control: Every Patient, Every Visit
In this module, we will review the key concepts considerate approach, gentle control, and touch gradient, and then apply each concept to every aspect of a patient’s visit. Considerate approach, gentle control, and touch gradient will be explained and demonstrated for greeting patients, performing physical examinations and preventive care, planning for diagnostics and treatments, and moving patients through the hospital.
Lesson One: Key Concepts
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define considerate approach, gentle control, and touch gradient
- Put the steps of a physical examination in order based on the principles of touch gradient
- Explain the importance of the emotional medical record, what should be recorded, and when it should be consulted
- Use the Fear Free FAS scale to evaluate fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in patients
Lesson Two: The Visit, Start to Finish
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the roles of the client service representative (CSR), veterinary technician (VT), and veterinarian during Fear Free visits
- Create a treatment plan for preventive care, including assessing patient reinforcers and distractors and wants and needs for veterinary care
- Determine how to make a plan for who will be involved, where treatments will be performed, and what supplies you will need to complete the procedure while simultaneously providing a Fear Free environment
- Understand the process of establishing stopping points for treatments or diagnostics as dictated by the patient’s level of FAS and the relative importance of the procedure and recognize the importance of teamwork for best results
Lesson Three: Patient Movements
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Make a plan for patient movements for dogs and cats, based on considerate approach and gentle control
- Understand the importance of communication between team members prior to patient movements and how to utilize the resources in your environment to minimize social stress caused by inter-patient contact
- Recognize when to pause, reassess, and make new patient movement plans when necessary
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Module 2: Alternative & Advanced Veterinary Care Techniques
In lesson one, we will discuss evaluating patients with moderate and severe FAS, levels 2 through 5 on the FAS scale, and how to plan accordingly while balancing needs, wants, and FAS. These patients often benefit from techniques beyond distraction-based handling. Especially when patients will require repeated treatments, or have a learning history of significant fear in the veterinary setting, they will benefit from advanced techniques. In lesson two, we will delve into techniques beyond distraction-based handling including desensitization and classical conditioning, and classical counter-conditioning. In lesson three, we will explore alternative strategies including using natural coping mechanisms and emergency sedation techniques.
Lesson One: Patients and Treatments
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Evaluate patients with moderate and severe FAS and identify them as candidates for advanced techniques. These patients may be displaying defensive aggression (FAS score of 5), or they may be in a state of learned helplessness (FAS score of 4), and you will be able to understand and recognize both of these manifestations of FAS
- Create a standard of care that prioritizes Fear Free patient and client experiences, which will reduce FAS for patients, help clients feel more comfortable, and increase safety and professional satisfaction for veterinary teams
Lesson Two: Learning and conditioning
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define classical conditioning, desensitization, and classical counterconditioning
- Understand the steps for setting up a desensitization-classical conditioning or classical counterconditioning protocol for patients and implement these techniques for your own patients using our examples as a good starting point
- Identify situations in which this protocol is not appropriate and another treatment plan is indicated
Lesson Three: Additional Alternatives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify alternative coping mechanisms for select patients
- Determine if these techniques are safe and appropriate for the patient
- Plan emergency sedation strategies for cats and dogs
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Module 3: In-Hospital Care
The use of the basic Fear Free principles will aid in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress for in-clinic patients, as well. By creating a positive hospital experience, owners, patients, and the entire veterinary team benefit. The challenges of implementing Fear Free protocols are different in the absence of the owner. Empathy is critical in promoting an adaptive and dynamic plan.
Similar strategies to the ones applied in the exam room in the Fear Free Veterinary Certification course apply to managing patients without their owner, but there are special challenges presented to veterinary team members with in-patient care. The benefits of reducing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in patients wherever they are in your facility is of benefit to everyone.
In this module, you will learn how to modify your facility to best manage patient fear with a stay in your facility. You will learn how to prepare the pet for an in-hospital stay and assess the pet for signs of FAS during their stay as well as how to recruit the owner’s help, even when they are not present. The special considerations of obtaining diagnostics and special considerations for dental patients will also be explored.
Lesson One: Preparing Your Facility for a Fear Free Experience
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Analyze the pet’s history and signs to tailor the experience to the individual situation
- Recognize the view of the pet and the way pets perceive environments and threats
- Apply what you know to modify your facility and train the team
- Recall methods to document and communicate an individual pet’s care, which are critical to overall success
Lesson Two: Preparing and Assessing the Pet
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Create an experience tailored to an individual, using the In-Patient Behavior Record (IPBR), treat preference, and history of what has worked for this individual in the past
- Evaluate each pet’s body language and demeanor to set them up for success
- Create a stepwise plan to institute for FAS recognition and management
- Identify some possible enrichment activities for in-patient care
Lesson Three: Preparing the Owner
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Raise owner’s awareness of your efforts to create the most pleasant experience for their pet during his or her stay
- Identify ways the entire team, veterinary staff, and pet owner can work together to make the experience a good one for everyone
Lesson Four: Special Considerations with Diagnostics
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Consider the pet’s perspective regarding diagnostic procedures and have a knowledge of potential Fear Free techniques you can utilize while obtaining a variety of diagnostics
- Identify potentially painful procedures and add pain management to your protocols
Lesson Five: Special Considerations for Dental Patients
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the specific challenges associated with dentistry that will necessitate special considerations of Fear Free protocols
- Apply your existing knowledge of Fear Free techniques to make dental visits more relaxing for pets
- Create a protocol for the prevention and management of FAS in dental patients
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Module 4: Communication: Sharing the Fear Free Message Inside and Outside the Practice
This module aims to help you improve communication with other members of the veterinary healthcare team and clients alike.
Lesson One: Preparation
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify goals
- Set a timeline for implementation
- Get the rest of the team on board and engaged for long term success
Lesson Two: Implementation
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Develop roles and responsibilities for each department in the hospital
Lesson Three: Emotional Medical Record
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the Emotional Medical Record (EMR)
- Determine what information should be included in it
- Document the emotional status of patients
- Record FAS scores during various aspects of the veterinary visit
- Utilize it to better care for your patients during future visits
Lesson Four: Maintaining Momentum and Managing Barriers
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Follow up with team members to keep them engaged
- Manage potential barriers with both team members and clients
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Module 5: Marketing Fear Free Inside and Outside Your Practice & Leveraging the Financial Benefits
This module aims to help you understand, measure, and take advantage of the financial benefits of incorporating Fear Free into your practice and how marketing internally and externally can help you achieve this goal.
This information and guidance can be utilized by all members of the team. You might be a practice decision-maker or a team member with a passion for Fear Free that is interested in presenting a proposal to management or a desire to take on a particular portion of the project.
Lesson One: Identify Your Vision and Market & Develop a Budget and Strategy
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Craft a vision
- Determine your target market
- Decide on a budget
- Evaluate marketing options
- Formulate a plan
- Decide on a timeline
Lesson Two: Craft Your Message and Measure Success
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Personalize your message to maximize its effectiveness
- Ensure your message supports your marketing goals and vision
- Set expectations for return on investment
- Understand when and how to measure it
Lesson Three: Recognize Potential Revenue Opportunities
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify opportunities for increased revenue inside and outside your practice
- Understand direct and indirect revenue opportunities
- Understand the cost savings opportunities and potential expenses, as well as decide on specific project plans
Lesson Four: Identify and Measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Determine which key performance indicators to track
- How to formulate a schedule for review
- Identify trends and know when to make changes
- Determine what potential changes you can make to improve the practice finances
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Additional Benefits
- Fear Free Directory Listing
- Complimentary additional RACE-approved CE courses
- Private Facebook group
- Fear Free Educational Library
- Fear Free Toolbox: Downloadable marketing tools, drug charts and more
- Exclusive discounts on Fear Free related products through the Preferred Product Program
- Online store for marketing, branding and educational handouts and brochures
- Fear Free Job Board
- Certification Gift
Continuing Education
- Upon completion of the modules, you will receive a total of seven RACE approved CE hours
