It is important to remember our role in recommending simple measures to help our patients and it is worth thinking about the power of take-home information that details the advice you have given.  

  

Check out the Stuff article here – https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/300992867/a-virginia-woman-was-feeling-sad-her-doctor-prescribed-her-a-cat

Check out the papers mentioned

Qureshi AI, Memon MZ, Vazquez G, Suri MF. Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases. Results from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study Mortality Follow-up Study. J Vasc Interv Neurol. 2009 Jan;2(1):132-5. PMID: 22518240; PMCID: PMC3317329. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317329/ 

Levine GN, Allen K, Braun LT, Christian HE, Friedmann E, Taubert KA, Thomas SA, Wells DL, Lange RA; American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013 Jun 11;127(23):2353-63. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1. Epub 2013 May 9. PMID: 23661721. www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1 

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This podcast is intended to assist in ongoing medical education and peer discussion for qualified health professionals.  Please ensure you work within your scope of practice at all times.  For personal medical advice always consult your usual doctor