Using authentic client interactions in communication skills training: predictors of proficiency

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Growing emphasis on communication skills in veterinary medicine.
• Colleges of Veterinary Medicine (CVMs) utilize diverse communication training protocols.
• Need for evaluating the effectiveness of existing training methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a specific communication training protocol at Kansas State University (KSU).
• To assess the impact of video review, client feedback, and small-group training on veterinary students' communication.
• To identify key communication skills that predict overall performance.

Main Methods:

• Study involved 415 veterinary medical students across five cohorts.
• Protocol included video review of authentic client interactions.
• Incorporated feedback from authentic clients and small-group communication training sessions.

Main Results:

• Targeted communication skills significantly improved with video-review feedback and small-group training.
• Student focus on improving deficiencies in a second video-recorded interaction was crucial.
• Initial communication skill scores predicted later performance, highlighting specific areas for development.

Conclusions:

• Video review of authentic client interactions is a valuable teaching tool for veterinary communication training.
• Specific skills like nonverbal communication, expectation setting, rapport building, and clarification are key predictors of success.
• The KSU protocol demonstrates an effective model for enhancing veterinary student communication abilities.