An integrated review of the role of communication in veterinary clinical practice

Abstract

Background There is a growing interest in exploring the nature of communication in veterinary medicine and understanding how veterinary practitioners communicate with their clients and other professionals. This is the first integrative review of literature on veterinary communication. Applying the PRISMA model, the PubMed, PsychInfo and ERIC databases were searched using keywords such as ‘veterinary’, ‘vet’, ‘communication’ and ‘interaction’ for related articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2018. Results Keyword searching through the databases yielded 1572 related studies. Only 48 of these studies were included in our analysis after an in-depth review by two independent reviewers using the critical appraisal skills Programme frameworks with high inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s kappa coefficient κ > 0.8). The existing body of research on veterinary communication can be classified into three major areas: (a) client–veterinarian communication, (b) cross-disciplinary communication in a professional veterinarian team and (c) training of veterinary communication skills. This review details the complexity and heterogeneity of agenda in the field of veterinary communication. The included studies indicate that veterinary practitioners are not equipped with specific communication skills to address different agendas in veterinary communication. The veterinary curriculum should include a component on communication training that can help veterinary students acquire necessary communication skills that allow them to effectively communicate with clients and other professionals Conclusion This review detailed the complexity of agendas in the field of veterinary communication. The results indicate that veterinary practitioners can further benefit from training on specific communication skills that address the agendas found in veterinary communication research. Furthermore, the veterinary curriculum should include a component on communication training that equips veterinary students with the necessary communication skills that allow them to effectively communicate with different stakeholders such as clients and colleagues with and across the field of veterinary science.

Interprofessional survey on communication skills in veterinary and veterinary-related education in Germany

“…All professions may benefit from clearer learning objectives and definitions of roles and division of responsibilities by learning together in an interprofessional training setting, which better reflects the real world. The need for implementing communication skills in the veterinary curriculum has been previously demonstrated by several studies [ 14 , 16 , 23 , 25 , 29 – 31 ] and should explicitly be implemented in German veterinary curricula with longitudinally increasing depth [ 32 ]. Even one-off communication training using role-playing can significantly improve students’ communication skills [ 33 ].…”

“…Interprofessional education can potentially reduce hierarchical structures, perceived misconceptions about other professions, develop students’ awareness of the importance of effective communication in the veterinary team and reduce professional isolation [ 13 ]. Furthermore, effective interprofessional communication will have a positive influence on the clients’ satisfaction with the veterinarian services and their pet’s healthcare [ 31 ]. Although more research is needed to verify its effectiveness [ 6 ], the potential of interprofessional education is considered very high [ 34 ].…”

The Human Aspect of Horse Care: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Wellbeing of Equestrian Industry Stakeholders

“…A possible contributor to strained communication over telephone could be the loss of subtle interactions which normally punctuate person to person communication. Previous research has suggested that non-verbal communication may be particularly important in veterinarian–client relationships [ 20 ], and this would often have been lost during teleconsultation.…”

Development of a distance education course on Skills and Strategies in Veterinary Communication (SSVC): a contribution to clinical research and evidence-based practice

“…In English-speaking countries, the Calgary-Cambridge consultation model is adopted in veterinary colleges, but this does not happen in many other countries. The need for post-educational training in clinical communication skills has also been emphasized (McDermott, 2018;Pun, 2020). The Calgary-Cambridge model, adapted for veterinary use, is the primary model through which the skills required for conducting and communicating within a veterinary consultation are taught in both the undergraduate curriculum and in continuing professional development (McDermott, 2018).…”

“…In a recent integrated review of the role of communication in veterinary clinical practice (Pun, 2020), it was pointed out that there is a gap of knowledge in this field since limited studies have taken a holistic approach to the role of communication in veterinary practices, by exploring the interactions between veterinarians, clients, and other related professionals.…”