What can veterinarians learn from studies of physician-patient communication about veterinarian-client-patient communication?

Abstract

There is limited information in the veterinary litera- ture on veterinarian-client-patient communication, and what is available is predominantly based on expert opin- ion and anecdotal information, not peer-reviewed scien- tific studies. In contrast, the human medical communi- cation literature contains a large number of empirical studies. Thus, a review of research of physician-patient interactions is a logical starting place to determine what steps veterinary researchers, educators, and practition- ers could take to investigate and address veterinarian- client-patient interactions. The purposes of this report were to summarize recent advances in human medical communication research and education, link findings in human medical communication research to veterinary medicine, and provide a rationale for development of communication research and education programs in vet- erinary medical schools.