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Fear Free Integration

Say goodbye to additional paperwork and forms with our custom-built integration!

Updated over a week ago

If your clinic is Fear Free Certified but does not yet have Fear Free enabled in Shepherd, please reach out via in-app chat to get started.

Shepherd’s custom-built Fear Free integration embeds an Emotional Medical Record (EMR) directly into your workflow. With this integration, you can easily capture and track patients’ fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) scores, interventions, and preferences over time—helping your team provide a safer, calmer experience for patients, clients, and staff.

Why Use Fear Free

  • Streamlined workflow – EMRs are created directly in the SOAP, eliminating separate paperwork.

  • Better patient care – Track FAS scores over time with clear visual charts.

  • Client communication – Incorporate Pre-Visit Questionnaires (PVQs) to gather valuable behavioral details before appointments.

  • Consistency – Ensure every staff member has access to the same emotional care notes during each visit.

Learn more

Integration Overview

  • EMRs in SOAPs – Add, edit, and complete EMRs within open SOAPs until they are locked.

  • FAS Charting – Each EMR updates a visual chart in the patient profile to track progress across visits.

  • Pre-Visit Questionnaires (PVQs) – Built-in forms help you capture client-reported insights that can be imported into the patient record.

  • Behavioral and environmental details – Record preferred exam locations, triggers, distractions, and sedation plans.

Creating an EMR

  1. Open the patient’s SOAP.

  2. Go to the Objective tab and locate the Emotional Medical Record section.

  3. Select Add EMR.

  4. Complete the available fields, including:

    • Pre-visit interventions (e.g., motion sickness medication, sedation)

    • Preferred provider gender or entrance

    • Likes, triggers, and distraction techniques

    • Preferred exam location and behavioral aids

    • Sedation details, if applicable

    • FAS scoring (0 = no stress, 5 = severe stress)

Viewing EMRs and FAS Charts

  • The most recent EMR is visible in the EMR Overview section of the patient profile.

  • Each new EMR adds points to the patient’s FAS Chart.

  • Use chart filters to view specific timeframes, hover for details, or print the chart for records.

  • A key at the bottom of the chart explains color coding for quick reference.

Using Pre-Visit Questionnaires (PVQs)

  1. From the patient profile, open the Forms tab and select Send Form.

  2. Choose the appropriate PVQ (species-specific PVQs are available for Amphibian, Avian, and Porcine; use the standard PVQ for all others).

  3. Send via email or text for the client to complete before the visit.

  4. Once returned, import the completed PVQ into the patient’s history or SOAP.

The PVQ cannot be edited but provides consistent, structured behavioral information to support the EMR.

Best Practices

  • Complete a new EMR at every visit to track changes over time.

  • Always save SOAP updates before creating or editing an EMR.

  • Reference PVQs during EMR creation for more accurate patient profiles.

  • Use EMR scoring consistently to ensure reliable FAS charting.

Need Help?

If your clinic is Fear Free Certified but does not yet have Fear Free enabled in Shepherd, please reach out via in-app chat to get started.

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