Innovation Communication Education in Veterinary Medicine: a Client-Centered Model

Communication is a core clinical skill of veterinary medicine and one that needs to be taught and learned to the same degree as other clinical skills. The significance of communication skills in veterinary medicine is an emerging theme. World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has set core courses for veterinary education which include communication program as a vigorous component. The veterinary profession has long recognized a need for client relations and communication skills training. There are many results reinforce the findings of surveys worldwide regarding the importance of communication skills for a veterinary science graduate. However there is scarce attention paid to communication education in Taiwan. This study aims to build a Client-centered communication model in veterinary medicine by implementing quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The tasks include: 1. Review communication and “veterinarian-client-patient relationship” references. 2. Interview veterinary professionals qualitatively to explore their opinions towards Client-centered communication and the information can be used as an excellent resource upon which survey can be build. 3. Develop survey and mail to veterinarians and students for quantitatively inquiring perceptions toward communication and reasons for medical disputes. The survey included a combination of Likert-scale and open questions will be mailed to 150 veterinarians and students, and a reminder postcard was sent to all participants after the initial questionnaire for increasing response rate. 4. Organize forum for sharing significant research results and collecting opinions to modify our proposed Client-centered communication model. This study results are expected to providing evidence-based insights and move communication skills training in veterinary medicine forward rapidly in the near future.