Abstract
Objectives:To explore and gain an understanding of what “clinical communication skills” mean to veterinarians working in private practice and what implications this might have for veterinary medical education.Methods:Qualitative research methods were used to purposefully sample a range of veterinary practitioners from a pool of South Australian veterinary practices who were interviewed to determine their understanding of what communication skills mean in the context of veterinary practice. Interviews were conducted with fourteen veterinary practitioners. Participants were sampled from a range of ages, veterinary schools of graduation plus urban and rural locations. Interview transcripts were analysed for themes, definitions and contexts.Results:Participants’ accounts included a number of skills which they considered to be “communication”. Some of the definitions of these skills parallel communication skills and competencies for human medicine on which communication skills training incorporated into veterinary curricula to date have largely been based. However, the veterinarians in this study also raised interesting contextual differences unique to the veterinary profession, such as communication with the animal, selling service, discussing money in relation to decisions for care, and communicating about euthanasia.Conclusions:Veterinary practitioners require high level communication skills. Education and training in veterinary medicine may be better tailored to reflect the unique context of the veterinary profession.
Highlights
The recognition that communication skills are as important in veterinary medicine as they are in human medicine, and must be taught in veterinary curricula, is a relatively new concept and research is limited.[1]
In human medicine myriad studies consider the definition of communication skills and competencies, how they can be translated into clinical practice, what impact they have on clinical outcomes, and how they can be best incorporated into undergraduate, postgraduate and professional training, including continuing professional development
This study aims to explore communication skills in the context of veterinary practice and implications for veterinary medical education
Summary
The recognition that communication skills are as important in veterinary medicine as they are in human medicine, and must be taught in veterinary curricula, is a relatively new concept and research is limited.[1]. Notably Jane Shaw[3], Cindy Adams and colleagues[4,5] have applied human medicine communication skills research and training methods to veterinarians and veterinary students, highlighting the parallels and similarities between the two professions. Both are service providers and health care professionals who work to improve patient health. In both professions success and satisfaction are dependent on interactions with humans. Shaw and colleagues[6] proposed that the structure and content of interviews with patients/clients is similar, and the measures used to assess and evaluate medical interactions can apply to veterinarians
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